Runes of Magic, a free-to-play 3D MMORPG, may be launching on March 19, but that doesn't mean Frogster is done unveiling new content in the open beta. A new 1-on-1 arena system will be introduced into the test cycle in the beginning of March prior to the game's release. The best player at the end of every month will have the opportunity to win an exclusive mount.

To guarantee a balanced contest, players will need to register with the Arena Master, who will automatically assign opponents with similar statistics. The arena will act as a tool to teach players how to control their avatars. ... During every three minutes of combat, a magical seal will appear which when touched, will release a random effect – such as a healing or strength enhancing spell.

Players will eventually be able to earn items through the arena system. You can read more about it after the jump.

Berlin, February 26th 2009: Frogster today unveiled a new arena system for man-to-man combat in its online role-playing game Runes of Magic . The publisher is planning to introduce the 1-on-1 arena system into the open beta at the beginning of March. After the release of the patch, the best players in the 1-on-1 arena system will have an opportunity to win an exclusive mount at the end of each month.

In the heart of Dust Devil Canyon lies the Obsidian Bastion, capital city and fortress of the NPC faction ‘The Order of Dark Glory’. The city’s central square holds an arena in which mercenaries can gain combat experience and measure their powers against rivals. To guarantee a balanced contest, players will need to register with the Arena Master, who will automatically assign opponents with similar statistics. The arena will act as a tool to teach players how to control their avatars: how their character should be equipped, the skills required for PvP and how dual classes should be harmonised for their own style of play. During every three minutes of combat, a magical seal will appear which when touched, will release a random effect – such as a healing or strength enhancing spell.

Points beckon for a victory and these will go to the player’s personal evaluation, with a defeat causing a decrease. Players will receive credits in the form of arena coins for the points score they achieve each week and this will flow into the ranking system. When these are totalled at the end of the month, the best players will receive an exclusive mount for one month.

Following the release on March 19th, Frogster plans to further expand on the arena system. Then among other things, certain items will also be on offer to players to earn through man-on-man combat. Players can find out more about the 1-on-1 arena system on the official website http://www.runesofmagic.com/en/index.html.