Asiasoft GameFest Returns for its Second Year and Announces New Charity Initiatives
27th April 2009, Singapore – Asiasoft Online Pte Ltd (Asiasoft), the leading publisher of Massively-Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) in Southeast Asia, announces to host its second annual Asiasoft GameFest 2009 (ASGF) and its new charity initiatives for an additional beneficiary, The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (SPMF) together with its current adoptee — Muscular Dystrophy Association of Singapore (MDAS) in the current economic situation. The massive gaming event will be held during the Licence2Play Electronics & Gaming Fair from 22nd to 24rd May 2009 at Level 6, Suntec City Convention Hall 603. It is the first time that Asiasoft collaborates with Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) and Singapore Cybersports & Online Gaming Association (SCOGA) to host the biggest celebration of all games published by the company, with exciting activities, on-site tournaments and in-game competitions for over S$50,000 in cash and prizes.
The three-day mega gaming event kicks off with the official launch of Asiasoft GameFest 2009, featuring all Asiasoft game titles, including upcoming ones. For the first time in history worldwide, “MapleStory” the most popular online MMORPG in Singapore and Malaysia, will unleash its never-before-seen Fun Crazy Experience event for players to earn 10 times the normal experience for each monster kill. This inaugural event seeks to break the Singapore Book of Records for the most number of gamers playing “MapleStory” at the venue. New games will be launched, such as “MapleStory Episode 2” and “Yulgang”, giving the community a first-hand preview at ASGF 2009.
Based on the most popular comic book in Korea, “Yulgang” is the latest Oriental Martial Arts MMORPG that Asiasoft signed with MGAME Corporation recently. The game has brilliant colors and cartoon-like characters with fascinating attack actions which are constantly updated to provide a refreshing gameplay experience for players.
Other highlights of the ASGF 2009 are The Straits Times Game IN Inter-school Audition tournament and The New Paper Cyber Challenge for Sudden Attack. For the Straits Times Game IN Inter-school tournament, students from all over Singapore will be shimmying to the beat of groovy music in the online dancing game, Audition. And at the TNP Cyber Challenge for Sudden Attack, Korea’s No.1 FPS (First-Person Shooter), there will be much tension and excitement in the air as teams engage in fierce shootouts to be the overall champion with a grand prize of S$5,000 cash proudly sponsored by Asiasoft and SingTel.
“We stay committed to host massive outdoor events like ASGF 2009 for the second year. Building closer bonds with the community is our priority, even though we’re going against the trend of budget cutbacks and closer scrutiny on spending done by many companies,” said Mr Sherman Tan, Chairman of Asiasoft. “We are proud to collaborate with SPH and SCOGA for the first time, to host ASGF 2009 during the Licence2Play Electronics & Gaming Fair. Together, we have the same vision of sharing digital entertainment as well as spreading awareness about cyber wellness to the gamers and their families. We hope the gaming communities will enjoy to the fullest all the activities in the Licence2Play event.”
“We are excited to collaborate with Asiasoft, an established organisation that publishes Massively-Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) in the ASEAN region. With their expertise in bringing massive outdoor to the gaming communities, we believe this massive outdoor event will be enjoyable for all,” said Elaine Chia, Marketing Director, SPHERE Exhibits of Singapore Press Holdings.
Other activities in the AsiaSoft GameFest include a series of Asiasoft game competitions, namely the “Audition FAM of the Year” Battle, the “CABAL Forbidden Island Dungeon Run”, the “GetAmped Kungfu Championship” and the “MapleStory Power of Get Together! Family Challenge”. Players will be putting their best to top the respective game championships and win attractive cash prizes and exclusive premiums.
Amidst the celebration and competitions, Asiasoft is pleased to adopt The Straits Times SPMF, together with MDAS, to drive charity initiatives for them. At ASGF 2009, there will be a charity auction of special in-game items, a full set of exquisite pre-paid cards and never-released A2-sized pre-paid cards for the gaming community to bid generously. Previously, Asiasoft banded with its game developers from Korea and Japan to support and contribute to the beneficiaries within our community. As part of its first fundraising activity for the Muscular Dystrophy Association Singapore (“MDAS”), Asiasoft’s first adopted charity, the company worked closely with game developers CyberStep, KOG Studios, Nexon Corporation, Yedang Online Corporation and T3 Entertainment, to develop special MDAS in-game items for players to purchase in support of the association. The total amount collected was S$18,862.16.
“Asiasoft is firmly committed to giving back to the community and we are pleased to have The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund on board together with MDAS for our contribution to society,” said Mr Sherman Tan, Chairman of Asiasoft. “Our gamers have shown much warmth and support in our previous fundraising campaign with MDAS, and we believe that they will continue to contribute even more for this charity auction at ASGF 2009.”
“On behalf of The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, we are excited and impressed by Asiasoft’s fund-raising concept. We hope that gamers and netizens in the Southeast Asia region will join Asiasoft in supporting our cause,” said Elaine Chia, Elaine Chia, Marketing Director, SPHERE Exhibits of Singapore Press Holdings.
All proceeds from the auction item sales will be donated to both MDAS and The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.
For more information, please log on to http://www.playpark.net/ASGF09.
About The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund
The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund was initiated on Children’s Day (October 1) in the year 2000 by The Straits Times, to heighten public awareness of the plight of children from low-income families who were attending school without proper breakfast, or pocket money to sustain their day in school.
The aim is to alleviate the financial burden faced by parents in providing for their children’s education. At the same time the funds will help children who are already facing difficulties in remaining in school to stay on.
In the past few years, members of the public, schools and corporations responded generously after reading stories highlighting children especially those from single parent families who were most affected.
About AsiaSoft Online Pte Ltd
AsiaSoft Online Pte Ltd publishes Massively-Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) in Singapore and Malaysia. Incorporated in 2004, AsiaSoft Online Pte Ltd assists game developers to tap onto the growth potential of the South-East Asia region.
AsiaSoft Online Pte Ltd publishes “MapleStory”, “Audition”, “GetAmped”, “CABAL Online”, “Richman Online”, and distributes “SilkRoad Online”. AsiaSoft Online Pte Ltd is also the Official Distributor for Blizzard Entertainment’s record breaking title “World of Warcraft”.
AsiaSoft Online Pte Ltd is part of the AsiaSoft group of publishing companies with a presence in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam serving over 15 million registered gamers.
Committed to developing the regional online gaming community, AsiaSoft Online Pte Ltd works with content developers and industry partners to entertain and engage casual gamers and netizens. Content localization, marketing and game service management are deployed by specialized and dedicated professionals, for game developers, in an integrated services platform.