Trion announces first project, signs Sony license deal

Trion World Network has announced that its first title will be a fantasy-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game, and that the company has become a licensed publisher for the PlayStation 3 in order to bring it to Sony's console.

Jon Van Caneghem, best known for creating the long-running RPG and strategy franchises Might & Magic and Heroes, is the creative force behind the project currently being developed internally at Trion's Redwood City studio.

Trion will publish the as-yet-untitled game for the PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 platforms in both North America and Europe and will be seeking a publishing partner in Asia.

"This game is designed on the philosophy of putting players at the centre of the game world," said Van Caneghem, Trion's co-founder, president and chief creative officer.

"By building an extensive event system and a server architecture that allows for dynamic change, we are creating completely new opportunities for creative game design. The game will live and change along with the players, evolving in response to their actions and the creativity of our design team."

On the PS3 publishing rights agreement, Trion CEO Lars Buttler commented: "The PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system is the perfect platform to carry out our vision that the future of games and entertainment lies in the connected era, and this agreement provides Trion with a major entertainment channel to deliver ground-breaking and exciting content to the mass market in North America."

Last year, Trion raised USD 30 million in funding and announced the hiring of Nicholas Beliaeff, formerly of SOE, to helm its new San Diego office.

The publishing agreement with SCEA is another step that underscores Trion's momentum in building a premium publisher and developer of server-based games, the company said.