gamigo and Kalypso Media announce The Patrician Online, a browser-based MMO installment in this strategy/trading simulation series that they plan to launch next year. Word is: "Thousands of players can experience the glory days of the Hanseatic League and build up their own trading empire. The focus of the game will be on trading goods between players and creating effective production chains." They also say the game is being developed along the lines of The Patrician IV, and when that game is released at the beginning of next month it will include a code for access to the closed beta test of The Patrician Online. The Patrician Online Website is live, and while it is in German, we've received assurances that an English version of the game is also planned.