IGG just announced its newest MMO under development, Altis Gates, in a press release yesterday. Still in production and predicted to enter its Alpha testing phase within the next few months, Altis Gates is a Fantasy-themed MMO designed by a development team that reached 2 million users on a previous title in China, according to IGG. Described as a "turn-based 2D MMORPG," Altis Gates marks the newest addition to IGG's massive free-to-play lineup, presumably set for release sometime after Lords Online (the company's other newest MMORPG/RTS hybrid).

Altis Gates promises to take the interactive pets mechanic to "new heights," allowing players to not only use their pets for combat, but also offering a companionship via "high levels of animation" and "personality that will enable pets to respond to their treatment or experiences." According to the release, pet moods change over time, exhibiting traits like a spoiled child or pretending to be sick, as well as letting you know when they are hungry or in a bad mood.

The gameplay in Altis Gates will include ten unique quest types at release, including Storyline Quests, Suppression Quests, CoC (Chamber of Commerce) Quests and others. Content for high-level players promises to keep you surprised and engaged, offering an "ample" supply of rewards down the line. Travel mechanics include sky gliders, elevators and "detailed architecture modeled on European classical styles." Like many of IGG's games, Altis Gates is developed with an 2D, emulated 3D engine that will no doubt run on any PC manufactured within the past six years or so, but IGG says the game terrain and structures were designed using 3D modeling. "What players will see in Altis Gates are not hidebound 2D scenes, but natural, dynamic environments featuring details such as a sluggish trickle of water or a thin curl of smoke," according to the release.

Check out the entire press release announcement after the jump, and visit our Altis Gates portal page in the future for more news as it develops.

Coming Soon: Altis Gates, IGG’s Newest Fantasy Game

IGG’s brand new fantasy game, Altis Gates (http://ag.igg.com), is now in development for release in the near future. A turn-based 2D MMORPG, Altis Gates is being developed by a talented team led by the leading developer of a game that once reached 2 million concurrent users in China. The Altis Gates dev team has introduced groundbreaking diversification to the game, making it the only current game to allow players to shift shape at their whim.

Interactive Pets

Altis Gates takes interactive pets to new heights. The game not only allows players to fight side by side with their pets, but also offers high levels of animation and personality that will enable pets to respond to their treatment or experiences. Their moods change over time, so they may sometimes act like a spoiled child, pretend to be sick, ask for a snack, or even tell jokes. Their tempers can be changed too. A pet becomes more loyal and friendly the more time its master devotes to training them and making them stronger.

Fun, Diverse Gameplay

Besides the amazing pet system, Altis Gates features a number of other fun gameplay elements. Roughly ten types of quests will appear in the game at release, including Storyline Quests, Suppression Quests, CoC (Chamber of Commerce) Quests, and many others. The Space Rifts, Elemental Lords, and other tough and interesting challenges will keep high-level players engaged with fun and surprises, not to mention ample rewards. In addition, sky gliders, elevators, and detailed architecture modeled on European classical styles will enable players to enjoy a traveling through this fantastic kingdom filled with magic and wondrous sights.

Top Graphics

The Altis Gates dev team took advantage of DirectX technology and advanced 3D particle effects to design intense combat and spell graphics. All the game terrain and structures were designed using 3D modeling. What players will see in Altis Gates are not hidebound 2D scenes, but natural, dynamic environments featuring details such as a sluggish trickle of water or a thin curl of smoke. These cutting-edge technologies enabled the dev team to create a richly immersive environment and stunning combat effects.

IGG will announce an Alpha Test launch date very soon. Watch the official Altis Gates website at http://ag.igg.com for the latest information about the game and the upcoming Alpha Test. Visit http://www.igg.com for more about IGG and its ever-growing variety of games.