Hong Kong Cyberport supports local mobile, arcade and console game developers

 KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 -- The novel coronavirus has dealt heavy blows to many industries, yet it has also presented new business opportunities for sectors such as digital entertainment, of which game development is a key component.

Although countries like the United States, Japan and China have well-established in the gaming market, Hong Kong’s game developers are starting to shine.

As the city’s leading digital technology community, Cyberport has supported a number of promising game developers, whereby their work is available as mobile games, games for home consoles and arcade games.

Cyberport’s Chief Public Mission Officer, Eric Chan said: “We have seen more game development start-ups leveraging the Cyberport Incubation Programme for business development support. Designated quotas are allocated for digital entertainment start-ups, including game developers.”

The Cyberport Incubation Programme has cultivated a number of mobile game developers, who have produced games catering to diverse user preferences ranging from mysteries to car racing, exploration and business simulation.

As games must be extraordinary to stand out amongst the wide variety of car racing games already on the market, Cyberport has incubatee Twitchy Finger which made a name for itself with ‘Mini Legend’, released five years ago.

There are now close to 150 digital entertainment and esports companies in the Cyberport community, of which over 60 are engaged in gaming development whereby, Cyberport provides one-stop entrepreneurial support.

Through initiatives including the Cyberport Incubation Programme and the Cyberport Creative Micro Fund, start-ups can receive up to HK$1.1 million in financial aid, plus other forms of assistance. (HK$100 = RM53.56)

-- BERNAMA

Juniper’s wired, wireless solutions selected to transform JoongAng Group’s network system

 KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 21 -- Juniper Networks, a leader in secure, AI-driven networks has announced that JoongAng Group has selected Juniper’s wired and wireless solutions driven by Mist AI to transform its network system.

With the country’s first AI-driven enterprise network by Juniper, JoongAng Group can continue to lead its diverse array of business and broadcasting services, while securely maximising operational efficiency and flexibility for future business expansion.

As the company prepared to spread its workforce across two office buildings upon completion of its JTBC Building in 2019, JoongAng Group wanted to introduce a next-generation network system that would provide a unified experience for all employees in both buildings.

To achieve that goal, JoongAng Group decided to plan their infrastructure based on a smart office concept centered on providing a fast, seamless, wireless network that would bridge the two physically separated buildings.

Juniper’s wired and wireless network solutions fulfilled all of the company’s needs and were first deployed in the JTBC Building last year followed by the JoongAng Building, according to a statement.

In particular, Juniper’s Wireless Access Points driven by Mist AI equipped with Wi-Fi 6 stood out for providing enterprise-grade performance and an AI engine that has replaced manual IT tasks with AI-driven proactive automation and self-healing.

With Juniper’s AI-driven network, JoongAng Group has jumped a step ahead of the industry in terms of network efficiency, leveraging automation and insights to lower IT costs while maximising the end-user experience.

More details at www.juniper.net.

-- BERNAMA
 

CIC Guam Credit Ratings maintained under review with positive implications status - AM Best

 KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 18 -- AM Best has maintained the under review with positive implications status for the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of ‘bbb+’ of Century Insurance Company (Guam) Limited (CIC Guam) Guam.

These Credit Ratings (ratings) were initially placed under review on July 3, last year, following an announcement that DB Insurance Co Ltd (DBI) entered into an agreement with CIC Guam’s parent company, Tan Holdings Corporation (THC).

This is to acquire an 80 per cent stake in each of THC’s three insurance subsidiaries, including CIC Guam and two other insurers in Saipan and Papua New Guinea. DBI was also expected to secure the management rights in all three companies.

At that time, AM Best indicated the ratings would remain under review until the transaction was completed, and an assessment of the subsequent impact to CIC Guam’s business profile and other credit fundamentals could be determined, according to a statement.

Based on the global credit rating agency, AM Best’s recent conversations with company management, THC and DBI remain in close contact on this transaction.

Currently, there is no clear date for closing; however, CIC Guam does continue to operate unencumbered by this ongoing development.

The company’s ratings will remain under review until the resolution of the transaction and AM Best has the necessary information to assess the full rating impact.

More details at www.ambest.com.

-- BERNAMA

Tricor launches virtual board meeting solution in Singapore

 KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17-- Asia's leading business expansion specialist, Tricor Group (Tricor) has launched its Boardfolio platform in Singapore, a secure and easy-to-use, virtual board portal that manages the full lifecycle of board and committee operations digitally.

The launch of Boardfolio in Singapore marks the next phase of a strategic partnership that Tricor formed with leading board portal provider, Praxonomy in November last year, which paired Tricor’s corporate governance suite with Praxonomy's secure digital board portal.

Anchored by two technology solutions, including EZBoard and the SPOT collaboration between 3 Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong, Microsoft and TFI Digital Media Limited, the Boardfolio has been launched in Singapore and across ASEAN key markets.  

In a statement, Tricor Group Chief Commercial Officer, Gary Tok said after seeing significant traction and success with the Boardfolio solution in Hong Kong, the company now launched the offering in Singapore and looked forward to delivering the best and most innovative governance solutions available to today’s board leaders.

“Boardfolio empowers a swift digital transformation and the benefits will reverberate long after the pandemic, enhancing shareholder participation, reducing the company secretary’s workload, driving collaboration, strengthening data security and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements in the long term,” said Tricor Singapore Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Ho Lon Gee.

More details at www.tricorglobal.com.

-- BERNAMA

Provident Insurance Corporation Limited Credit Ratings affirmed - AM Best

 KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 -- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B (Fair) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of ‘bb+’ of Provident Insurance Corporation Limited (PICL) New Zealand.

In a statement, the global credit rating agency, AM Best said the outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) was stable.

The ratings reflect PICL’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorises as adequate, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

PICL’s balance sheet strength assessment reflects its risk-adjusted capitalisation, which was at the strong level as of fiscal year-end 2020, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio.

Due to elevated planned underwriting growth over the medium term, AM Best expects PICL’s prospective risk-adjusted capitalisation to weaken but remain at least at the adequate level, as the company executes its strategic plan.

Other balance sheet factors include the company’s conservative investment strategy, and its relatively small absolute capital base, which exposes its risk-adjusted capitalisation to potential volatility in stressed scenarios.

AM Best views PICL’s business profile as limited, given its relatively small scale of operations and limited geographical diversification, with all business emanating from New Zealand.

More details at www.ambest.com.

-- BERNAMA

Popular Chiba Prefecture spots bedazzle tourists with colourful autumn leaves

 KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 -- The Chiba Prefectural Government has introduced popular tourist spots for viewing colourful autumn leaves on its official mascot character CHI-BA+KUN's Facebook page.

Since Chiba Prefecture is close to Tokyo, not only is enjoying autumn leaves convenient, but visitors can also appreciate fall foliage at various spots such as gorges, temples, and parks, according to a statement.

The Chiba Prefectural Government is also introducing various attractions such as tourist spots and delicious foods to the people of Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam as part of its efforts to let them know about Chiba Prefecture.

Relevant information is available on the Facebook pages. The Facebook pages are Taiwan: CHI-BA+KUN; Thailand: Chibakun Japan; Malaysia: Chibakun Japan for Malaysia; Singapore: Chibakun Japan for Singapore; and, Vietnam: Chibakun Japan for Vietnam.

CHI-BA+KUN is a curious creature born and living in Chiba Prefecture. Its side profile represents the shape of Chiba Prefecture.

-- BERNAMA

GRAVITY NEOCYON OPENS PRE-ORDERS FOR THE NEW GAME 'ACTION RO2: SPEAR OF ODIN' IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN REGION ON DECEMBER 8

 

^{Gravity Neocyon, a subsidiary of Gravity, has opened pre-orders for its action RPG using the Ragnarok IP 'Action RO2: Spear of Odin' for the Southeast Asian region. The game will captivate its players with fascinating action scenes and visuals. The game will support Indonesian and English languages in five regions: Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia. Events are opened to celebrate the launch of the pre-orders: a prize of a latest-model automobile worth USD 15,100 to one of the pre-ordering users; as well as awarding game items according to the number of pre-orders received and “likes” clicked on the game’s official Facebook page. (Graphic: Business Wire)}


- The first action RPG using Ragnarok IP to be released within the year
- Services the game in Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia in the Indonesian and English
- First global game launch since Neocyon changed the name to Gravity Neocyon


SEOUL, South Korea, Dec 9 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Gravity Neocyon, Inc., a subsidiary of Gravity, has opened pre-orders for its new game, 'Action RO2: Spear of Odin' for the Southeast Asian region on December 8.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201208006213/en/  

‘Action RO2: Spear of Odin’ is developed and serviced by Gravity Neocyon. An action RPG using the Ragnarok IP, ‘Action RO2: Spear of Odin’ players will adventure and collect various game items and cards to develop unique strategies and styles. ‘Action RO2: Spear of Odin’ will captivate its players with fascinating action scenes and visuals.

The game will support Indonesian and English languages in five regions: Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia.

The Ragnarok IP is highly recognized and preferred in these regions. ‘Action RO2: Spear of Odin’ will be the first game of its genre that the Ragnarok IP is applied for these regions. Gravity Neocyon plans to target local users based on the differentiation points of this new game. The game is scheduled for release within the year.

“Action RO2: Spear of Odin has been meticulously prepared as it is the first game to be globally launched since we changed our name from Neocyon to Gravity Neocyon,” said a Gravity Neocyon insider. “It will provide differentiated fun from that of other games that the Ragnarok IP is applied. Users will be able to enjoy creating the equipment and game cards, etc. and also playing with friends through the raid system.”

Several events are opened to celebrate the launch of the pre-orders. The events include a prize of a latest-model automobile worth USD 15,100 to one of the pre-ordering users; as well as awarding game items according to the number of pre-orders received and “likes” clicked on the game’s official Facebook page.

Established in 2000, Neocyon changed its name to Gravity Neocyon on December 2, 2020, to maximize synergy with its parent company, Gravity, and improve business efficiency and competitive power.

[Facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RO2Odin/
[Pre-order Event Page] https://ro2odin.gnjoy.id/

About Gravity Neocyon

Established in 2000, Neocyon is a mobile content specialist that comprehensively supports the system, content, and service. Its business areas include mobile service platform establishment, mobile content development, online marketing, and publishing service in Korea and abroad. Since 2006, in particular, the company has been producing great results with the mobile version of “Ragnarok Online,” a global game brand, in Korea, Japan, and North America. It is also developing various mobile games and SNS games, multimedia, augmented reality, and application contents. In 2020, it changed the name to Gravity Neocyon to maximize synergy with its parent company, Gravity, and improve business efficiency and competitive power.

View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201208006213/en/

Contact

Gravity Neocyon
InKyung Kwon
+82-2-2132-6996
sagomong@neocyon.com

Source : Gravity Neocyon, Inc.