Social networking sites are certainly a popular tool in this day and age. Even the ZAM World of Warcraft content managers have a new Twitter page. Well, it looks like the Atlantica Online team will be renewing its effort to focus on social networking according to a recent post on the game's official site.

Keep an eye on the Atlantica Online Twitter, Facebook and Xfire pages for "free items, sneak peeks at content and upcoming item mall items, some small mini-events, and much more."

Do you follow your favorite MMOs on social networking pages like these, or are you more likely to stick to official forums and fan sites?

NDOORS has been busy at the Gamer Developers Conference in San Francisco. They've announced some major updates to Atlantica Online and new content for Luminary: Rise of the GoonZu. And top it off, the company will be releasing a new free-to-play MMO called WonderKing in the second quarter of 2009.

Atlantica Online's updates focus on PvP and housing. For players who enjoy full-scale assaults, the developers are adding a 100 vs. 100 battle, which will allow you to go to RTS-style war with up to 100 friends. In addition, Atlantica's first cross-server battla arena will be implemented so PvPers can test their skills against all players. Lastly, you'll be able to build your own house and do things from raising children to showing off your belongings. You can view the new GDC trailer for Atlantica Online here.

WonderKing, a 2D side-scroller, will enter closed beta in the second quarter of 2009 and is designed for players of all ages. According to the press release, its story-by-story quests make it seem like a fantasy novel, and its character advancement system is designed to suit different play styles. You can read the full press release after the jump.

Last month our very own Christopher "Pwyff" Tom decided to to explore the post launch state of Atlantica Online. After the article was published, we decided there was more to be said. Fortunately for us, we managed to snag Atlantica Online Producer, Kim Tae Gon to further elaborate about the direction Atlantica Online is heading.

ZAM : Hello Kim Tae Gon. Thanks for sitting down with us to talk about Atlantica Online. How have things been going since launch a couple of months ago?

Kim Tae Gon : It's been a whirlwind. Even after launching the game, we don't feel like we're finished. We're still busy coming up with all sorts of new things for the game.

ZAM : First of all, why turn based combat? More and more games seem to be moving towards a more fast paced style of fighting, but Atlantica Online, from the beginning, chose the slower (arguably) route of turn based combat. Did you guys choose turn based combat because of its uniqueness, and then develop the game from there, or did you create the game first, and then decided that turn based combat would best compliment the system? What motivated your choices behind this game mechanic?

Allakhazam Editor Christopher "Pwyff" Tom recently shared his opinions on Atlantica Online, and he feels the game is unique, entertaining and complex. According to a press release from NDOORS Interactive, it would seem that other players feel the same way. Due to growing consumer demand, the company will be opening a sixth server, Delphi, on Friday. According to the release, NDOORS is prepared to welcome "thousands" of new users to the game.

In celebration of the server launch, NDOORS will host "Fortnight of the Oracle," a two-week power-leveling event to give both new players and veterans the opportunity to enjoy 120% to 150% bonus experience on weekdays and weekends, respectively. In addition, there will be a level-up race for 1,000 Gcoins, a screenshot contest, quiz bowl, monster hunts, treasure hunts and item giveaways offered during the event.

Read the full press release after the jump for more details on the server launch and "Fortnight of the Oracle" event, as well as comments from Peter Kang, CEO of NDOORS.

Allakhazam Editor Christopher "Pwyff" Tom wrote an article this week outlining his thoughts on Atlantica Online. Long story short, he found it to be a unique spin on MMOs. Well, if you want to check out what Pwyff's talking about, now's a good time. Today's major update has added two new classes, a new mercenary and new dungeons to the game.

The two new main character classes are the Musician and the Maniac. The Musician wields a guitar and specializes in long-range combat, while the Maniac brandishes a power saw that hits all enemies in a row. Any player can equip a guitar, but you need to be level 100 to create a main character using the power saw.

In addition, the Elementalist has been added as a new Class B magic mercenary and characters can choose between three new hairstyles and receive a present on his or her in-game birthday. The full patch notes can be found here, and the press release is after the jump.

Every now and then when I feel that I've managed to 'settle down' a bit in my life, something comes along and disrupts it in such a way that I end up being unable to return to my previous incarnation. Atlantica Online was such a disruption. Don't get me wrong, AO is a fantastic MMO, but it was certainly a different kind of MMO from the sort that I was used to. The real problem is that now, having become somewhat used to its interesting ways, I find myself craving more MMOs like this; unique in creation and unique in delivery. We'll call Atlantica Online a good disruption - and I'm here to tell you why.

First of all, for those of you who are safely ensconced within your World of Warcraft, Vana'diel or Norrath, you might be wondering what Atlantica Online is. While you can read about developer commentary here, here, here and here, I'd like to talk about it in my own words. Developed by the Korean Company, NDOORS Corporation, Atlantica Online is a free to play MMORPG that's set on an alternate Earth. The MMO incorporates a lot of elements of steampunk (a blend of fantasy and steam era technology) and fantasy while blending together characters from all sorts of collective myths (Pirates, Spartans and... Napoleon? Oh my.).

Atlantica Online's first content update is now live and opens up the "Next Frontier" for players. The patch notes can be found here or below.

Cross the perilous waters of the Atlantic to reach North America, and unearth the secrets of this desolate new land. Daring new quests lie ahead in far-flung places like Detroit, Dallas, and Mexico. To assist you in your journey, recruit the new mercenaries, the Spartan and the Sailor, as you continue your search for Atlantis. Hone your skills and train to level 120 as your will will be tested once more.

This is just the first of many updates players can expect to see in the future. "There is still much more of Atlantica’s domain to open up, like South America and Oceania, and still many more civilizations and legends that we will draw on to serve as the backdrop for future quests and characters," said Peter Kang, CEO, NDOORS Interactive, in a press release.

Atlantica Online recently won a Golden Plume Award for Best Foreign Online Game at the China Digital Entertainment Expo and Conference (ChinaJoy) in Beijing.

Atlantica’s victory comes as the game is preparing to enter beta testing in China. Atlantica developer NDOORS Inc. signed a publishing deal with Chinese gaming leader The9, which publishes World of Warcraft in China, last April. Beta on the Chinese edition of Atlantica is expected to begin in early 2009.

The full press release is below.

Atlantica Online is launching a new server today!

The number of new players joining the Atlantica world is growing beyond expectations. The average number of concurrent players has increased by 300%, filling servers to capacity.

Therefore, to accommodate the rapidly growing player base, we will be opening up new servers very soon. And the first new one to come online will be Argos, on Saturday, Nov. 8, at approximately 10 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. Named after the city-states of ancient Greece, Argos joins Sikyon, Mycenae, Thebes, and Macedon as the fifth server for Atlantica.

Players new and old can now start fresh on an even playing field with a clean economy, becoming the first to discover the secrets of Atlantis.

What a great testament to the popularity of the game!

Looks like Atlantica Online had a very successful launch week according to a press release that we just received. Check it out:

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Nov. 6, 2008 -- The official launch of Atlantica Online is exceeding expectations.

The strategic turn-based MMORPG, which sends players on a globe-hopping adventure around the Earth, has seen tremendous growth since its debut with the number of daily unique players doubling. The average number of concurrent players has increased by 300 percent since introduction and has filled servers to capacity.  NDOORS Interactive will be opening new servers beginning Saturday, Nov. 8.

"The response for Atlantica has been nothing short of amazing," said Peter Kang, CEO, NDOORS Interactive. "We understand that the foundation and lifeblood of every MMO is its community, and we can't thank our players enough."