Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB) and Nexon Corp. today announced that
Nexon Corp.’s new Dragon Nest game will be the first massively
multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) in South Korea to
incorporate Dolby® Axon, a surround sound voice technology
designed specifically for games.
Dragon Nest delivers an action-filled MMORPG experience with a
high level of graphics and action sequences previously found only in
console games. The game’s unique Ultimate Combo Play feature allows
players to attack foes and monsters using environmental objects, such as
walls or rocks, and is integrated with sophisticated character movement,
monster artificial intelligence, and precise interaction between the
backgrounds and objects.
"A key aspect of MMORPGs and Dragon Nest, in particular, is the
need to collaborate and communicate with your online teammates. With
Dolby Axon, we’re offering our players an intuitive and natural way to
communicate with each other because the technology emulates how we talk
in the real world,” said Yi-Young Kim, Manager of the Publishing
Department at Nexon Corp.
"Dolby Axon was designed to ultimately enable players to use voice
communication as a competitive edge,” said Robin Selden, Senior Vice
President of Marketing at Dolby Laboratories. "We incorporated many of
the technologies that have come to be synonymous with Dolby, including
surround sound and audio clarity, to set a new benchmark for online
communication, and we’re excited to have worked closely with Nexon in
realizing the potential of this technology.”
Dolby Axon’s key features include:
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Dolby surround sound, which delivers an immersing, realistic
voice experience complete with surround panning and distance
attenuation.
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An occlusion engine that dynamically responds to game geometry,
enabling gamers to experience voice communication that matches the
game environment.
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Voice fonts that add an element of fun to the game, and allow
gamers to take on their voice of choice with attributes of game
characters in supported games. These can range from a high-pitched elf
voice to the dark and sinister tones of an ogre.
-
Dolby voice pipeline, which delivers a clear voice experience
free of unwanted noise, echo, clipping, and leveling problems.
-
Flexible API offering creative integration and game play
options to developers, including the ability to create new voice
experiences in games.
About Nexon Corp.
Established in South Korea in 1994, Nexon Corporation is a pioneer of
interactive entertainment software and the world's leader in massively
multiplayer online games. Since its development of the world's first
graphic MMORPG, The Kingdom of the Winds, in 1995, Nexon's
innovative titles have continued to redefine online entertainment.
Nexon is credited with several other industry achievements. It developed
the world's first Internet quiz game, QPlay, set a world record
of 700,000 concurrent users in China in 2004 with Crazy Arcade BnB,
and developed South Korea's most-played online game, KartRider
(played by over 30 percent of the population). Through these titles,
Nexon also pioneered the "item" (microtransactions) business model,
where users access the full game for free and can later opt to pay for
game enhancements (items) such as avatar customizations and pets. By
developing titles that are more casual than hardcore MMORPGs, Nexon has
redefined the notion of online games from a marginal sector propelled by
intensive gamers to a progressive, mainstream form of entertainment
enjoyed by everyone.
Nexon has offices in Europe, Japan, Korea, and the United States and has
partnerships in Brazil, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand,
and Vietnam. Visit www.nexon.net
for more information.
About Dolby Laboratories
Dolby Laboratories (NYSE:DLB) is the global leader in technologies that
are essential elements in the best entertainment experiences. Founded in
1965 and best known for high-quality audio and surround sound, Dolby
creates innovations that enrich entertainment at the movies, at home, or
on the go. Visit www.dolby.com
for more information.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release, including statements regarding
the benefits, performance, features, and capabilities of Dolby Axon; the
anticipated or potential benefits that game publishers, developers, and
gamers may derive from Dolby Axon; the timing and availability of game
titles incorporating Dolby Axon in general, and Dragon Nest in
particular; expectations relating to Dolby surround sound as a
significant element of game play; the anticipated market acceptance and
demand for Dolby Axon by game publishers, developers, and gamers, are
"forward-looking statements" that are subject to risks and
uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are based on
management's current expectations. The following important factors,
without limitation, could cause actual results to differ materially from
those in the forward-looking statements: risks that Dolby Axon may not
perform as anticipated; risks associated with building market acceptance
for game audio technologies in general and Dolby Axon in particular;
competition in the market for game audio technologies; rapid changes in
technical requirements for game audio technologies; and other risks
detailed in Dolby's Securities and Exchange Commission filings and
reports, including the risks identified under the section captioned
"Risk Factors" in its most recent Periodic Report on Form 10-Q or 10-K.
Dolby disclaims any obligation to update information contained in these
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise.
Dolby and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby
Laboratories. S10/22573 DLB-G
