There was a new article released from Massively yesterday:

http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/blade-and-soul-nearing-commercial-release-adding-summoner-class/

Blade & Soul nearing commercial release, adding Summoner class


"NCsoft is loath to talk about its Blade & Soul martial arts MMORPG here in the West, so we have to rely on third-party fansites and Chinese/Korean translations for most of our info. The latest such comes courtesy of MMO Culture, and it features an interview from a recent Tencent Games media event with a couple of newsworthy notables.

First up is the fact that upcoming Korean and Chinese Blade & Soul beta phases will feature the new Summoner class. Not much is known in terms of class specifics yet, but the site says that it boasts an "easier" and "more relaxed" playstyle than other classes.

The interview also touches on Blade & Soul's business model and its impending release. Despite the fact that NCsoft titles like Aion and Lineage II have recently committed to free-to-play in North America, the firm isn't talking about any particular Blade & Soul payment model just yet. Finally, MMO Culture reports that Blade & Soul "is currently near the end of the development phase for commercial release," and given the lack of info on a Western client, we expect said release to be exclusive to the Chinese and Korean markets for now."


In my opinion, NCSoft is going to fully focus on Guild Wars 2 for 2012 [for the West] (being the year of the Dragon) and I think they have some ways to go before releasing additional info for us here in the West. So far all we have is a "placeholder" website. If release comes out soon for the Asian markets and the results are positive, then chances are we might see an early 2013 release. However, if there are hiccups along the way it may delay till 3rd or 4th quarter 2013, we shall see!

Very interesting game, but like Archeage, very far from a western release.

Originally posted by AmbrosiaAmor

Good news folks, seems they made the announcement about an hour and a half ago letting folks know that the winners of CBT3 have been given out. You should be able to log in now and download the client.

Time to play Soul & Blade & Summoner & Long Cat.

 

CBT3 won't start till May 9th (although those that got accepted to prior betas got an early access).

 

Chances are I will be playing Summoner and maybe one other class, depends on how things go!

 

How does one join the beta.?

Played Kbeta and was shocked at how much fun this game was...I'm a pvper, so when I saw beta had no pvp I turned it off.  However, if they announce either faction based or owpvp i'd be in for this one.  For those unsure about the combat...it was quite unique.  Not a tab target or an aim to shoot...picture playing street fighter 2, or Double Dragon, or something like that...feels like an arcade game and it was really fun. 

this game will release on June 21

ya they dropped the fatigue thank god,been playing this since cbt1 and alot has changed.I expect a na release in september.

Blade & Soul (KR) - Open Beta trailer

Originally posted by AmbrosiaAmor

There was a new article released from Massively yesterday:

 

http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/blade-and-soul-nearing-commercial-release-adding-summoner-class/

 

Blade & Soul nearing commercial release, adding Summoner class


"NCsoft is loath to talk about its Blade & Soul martial arts MMORPG here in the West, so we have to rely on third-party fansites and Chinese/Korean translations for most of our info. The latest such comes courtesy of MMO Culture, and it features an interview from a recent Tencent Games media event with a couple of newsworthy notables.

First up is the fact that upcoming Korean and Chinese Blade & Soul beta phases will feature the new Summoner class. Not much is known in terms of class specifics yet, but the site says that it boasts an "easier" and "more relaxed" playstyle than other classes.

The interview also touches on Blade & Soul's business model and its impending release. Despite the fact that NCsoft titles like Aion and Lineage II have recently committed to free-to-play in North America, the firm isn't talking about any particular Blade & Soul payment model just yet. Finally, MMO Culture reports that Blade & Soul "is currently near the end of the development phase for commercial release," and given the lack of info on a Western client, we expect said release to be exclusive to the Chinese and Korean markets for now."


In my opinion, NCSoft is going to fully focus on Guild Wars 2 for 2012 [for the West] (being the year of the Dragon) and I think they have some ways to go before releasing additional info for us here in the West. So far all we have is a "placeholder" website. If release comes out soon for the Asian markets and the results are positive, then chances are we might see an early 2013 release. However, if there are hiccups along the way it may delay till 3rd or 4th quarter 2013, we shall see!

I have been waiting forever to get my hands on this game. But sadly the NA version seems 2-3 years away.

looks so great.. action combat with some actual speed to it and grappling! i don't see it coming here till winter 2013 at the earliest though:(

i also like its got a interesting looking story to it as well