TERA (video game)

TERA
Original North American cover art
Developer(s)Bluehole Studio
Publisher(s)Microsoft Windows
Designer(s)Yong-Hyun Park
Byung-Gyu Chang
Huang Cher Ung
Composer(s)Inon Zur
Rod Abernethy
Cris Velasco
EngineUnreal Engine 3[2]
Platform(s)
ReleaseMicrosoft Windows
  • KOR: 25 January 2011
  • NA: 1 May 2012
  • EU: 3 May 2012
PlayStation 4, Xbox One
  • WW: 3 April 2018[1]
  • JP: 29 November 2018
Genre(s)Massively multiplayer online role-playing game
Mode(s)Multiplayer

TERA (short for The Exiled Realm of Arborea), also known as TERA Online, is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by Bluehole Studio, a subsidiary of Krafton. The game was released in South Korea on 25 January 2011, in North America on 1 May 2012, and in Europe on 3 May 2012, with closed and open beta tests taking place before the launch dates. Nexon, Krafton, and Gameforge published the game in these regions, respectively. En Masse Entertainment was the North American publisher, until September 2020, while Atari handled physical distribution.[3] In February 2013 the game was renamed to TERA: Rising concurrently with the game's launch to the free-to-play model.

In September 2014, the game was renamed to TERA: Fate of Arun in the same patch that added a new level cap and expanded TERA's horizons with the new continent in Northern Arun: Val Oriyn "cut off from the rest of the world for centuries, Northern Arun is a land of savage jungles, colossal ruins, and the undiscovered homeland of the Barakas." The patch became effective in December 2014 in America and Europe. The game has over 28 million players worldwide, as of 2018. [citation needed]

In April 2018, TERA went on to release on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, through En Masse Entertainment[4] in North America, Europe, and Japan, whereas Krafton decided to self-publish the game in South East Asia for the PlayStation 4 and Japan for Xbox One.

In September 2020, En Masse Entertainment announced that it would be shutting down its offices after 10 years of service in the gaming industry,[5] where it was decided that Krafton would be publishing TERA's Console version globally[6] – taking over a self-publishing role, in place of En Masse Entertainment, whereas the PC version would be published by Gameforge.[7]

The Console version diverted paths from its original PC counterpart, and declared that it would be taking its own path.[8] TERA is set to release its Crossplay Feature in Mid-November 2020,[9] which players on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One will be able to play together. In addition to this feature, TERA will offer a free upgrade for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in Holidays 2020, with an Enhanced Graphics Mode – which will allow for cross-generation and cross-platform gaming.[10]

On 20 April 2022, Gameforge announced that Bluehole had decided to cease work on TERA and that Gameforge would shut down the game's servers for PC on 30 June 2022. There are no plans to shut down the console servers.[11]

  1. ^ Makuch, Eddie (10 March 2017). "PS4, Xbox One Getting Action MMO Tera This Year". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  2. ^ Gaudiosi, John. "Unreal Engine 3 Pushes New MMO TERA Beyond Traditional RPGs". unrealengine.com. Epic Games. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  3. ^ "TERA publisher signs agreement with Atari for North American distribution".
  4. ^ "Tera brings high-speed MMORPG action to PS4 and Xbox One on April 3". VentureBeat. 26 March 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  5. ^ Kerr, Chris (18 August 2020). "Tera publisher En Masse is shutting down after over a decade". www.gamasutra.com. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  6. ^ "TERA Announces Its Newest Global Publisher". Sarumonin.com. 31 August 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  7. ^ "Gameforge Takes Over Publishing Rights for TERA in the Americas". 15 October 2020.
  8. ^ "Interview with Krafton Bluehole Studio: TERA Console". Sarumonin.com. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  9. ^ "TERA Console Has a Crossplay Release Date". Sarumonin.com. 21 August 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  10. ^ @TERAConsole (17 September 2020). "Now is a good a time as any to remind players..." (Tweet). Archived from the original on 17 September 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2023 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  11. ^ "The Adventure Ends". Gameforge.com. 20 April 2022. Archived from the original on 21 April 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2022.