Discovery Online takes place during the Era of Discovery, from the 15th to the 18th century. Beginning in the 15th century, a turning point in the history of mankind… The Fall of Constantinople, the Renaissance, and the growing interest of conquering nations into maritime exploration changed the map of the world. The conquest of the seas led by Portuguese, such as Henry the Navigator and Vasco De Gama, brings in a time of grand expeditions and world dominance. While trade routes extend, the fascination for gold and exotic resources knows no bounds. Commercial guilds launch themselves into the adventure, developing and enriching their home ports, all the while luring countless greedy pirates who hunt the treasure-laden vessels. In response, the seafaring nations are strengthening their naval forces. The Western Passage is open to intrepid adventurers of the Old World. But further east, the fleets of the Great Zheng-He, almost 30,000 marines strong, patrol the oriental seas, from Japanese Isles to Arabia. Will they fend off the European treasure-hunters? The first to discover new lands will reap fortune and glory!

It is in this tumultuous setting that Discovery Online offers the players the opportunity to rewrite history and to invent their own saga…

More than a simple pirate game, Discovery Online is a sea-voyaging and trading game that encourages the player to be his most creative. The game’s potential for narration motivates the player to create his legend and to tell his epic story. It proposes an open skill system in which the player can choose his way and his class as the game progresses. Thus, the player evolves according to the circumstances, becoming a hero or a villain in turn. Discovery Online sets the stage for naval combats during which knowing how to navigate and maneuver the vessel is as important as knowing how to fire its cannons. Strategy is key.

Discovery Online is a game wherein the economy is managed by commercial guilds. They develop coastal towns and cities, they trade, they ally themselves with other guilds or they fight against them. The guilds can specialize in trade, combat or prospecting. These communities are important because the game is modeled on a complex world economy. Encouraged to join forces, to create economic and military powers, the players can thus increase their prospects in the game. Nevertheless, the solo player can progress, fight, explore and trade if he wishes without having to be a member of a guild.

The emphasis on the economy strongly influences the approach to Discovery Online in the way to think about battles and conquests as the player is very much invested in the defense of his accumulated goods.

The adventure begins immediately. The player does not have to learn dozens of commands or go on quests to start enjoying the game. Accessible, Discovery Online immerses the player and takes him into a world of curiosity and exploration where he rises in power as the adventure unfolds. The universe of Discovery Online is both realistic and fantastic and reveals itself in an amazing and picturesque landscape.

Launched by Jango Game, an independent French MMORPG operator, Discovery Online promises to be a landmark game among online gaming communities. First in Europe and then in the US, Discovery Online will be available for free download with no monthly fees in December 2008.