Speaking of eyes, way to go Kotaku readers. By picking out that piece of profanity from the last batch of screenshots (which has since been updated), I was able to get Aeria Games to confirm that there will be a profanity filter in the North American version of Hello Kitty Online. Guess we'll have to make up new curses for when we get excited about gardening.

In the meantime, we're still waiting on a definite launch date for the Sanrio massively multiplayer online game. The closed beta is scheduled to start soon and supposedly the game will go live this fall.

I seriously wonder what the great architects and builders of world renowned landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and the Arc de Triumph would think of the Sanrio-ized versions of their masterpieces. Personally, I prefer this version of Big Ben to the real life one — but I'm a Hello Kitty girl and therefore biased.

Enjoy the cute!

The first is the whole massively multiplayer online game aspect. That's the last video game genre next to first-person shooter I would have thought of for a Hello Kitty game. Developers Sanrio Digital and Typhoon Games along with US publisher Aeria Games think it's a good fit, though, because the game is aimed at women aged 17-30 who crave a social experience instead of, say, a kids adventure game. To that end, they've gotten rid of some of the primary aspects of most MMOs and punched up or added other aspects to create an MMO where there's less direct competition and more things to do besides collect rat butts. This makes for an MMO where you do level up and you can go questing for experience points – but there's no pressure to level grind and you can get just as much XP mileage out of tending your garden or designing a house as you would "fighting" enemies on a quest.

That's the second thing that's got my attention: the persistent quest story. I know most MMOs have plots and sometimes those plots actually have an effect on the persistent world of the game. However, it's not always executed well and the motivation to move through the story is kind dampened for some by the fact that they can't be the sole hero of the land because everyone else in the land is a hero, too. The story that provides a persistent world backdrop for Hello Kitty Online involves a mystery where Sanrio characters fall into enchanted sleep. All players have the chance to solve the mystery and awaken some of the Sanrio characters – but even though it's a mystery instead of a "go here, kill this" story, I wonder whether Hello Kitty Online's story will somehow feel different from other plotted MMOs.

The third thing that paralyzes me whenever I look at Hello Kitty Online is the sheer cute factor. Every aspect of the world from the licensed characters to the Sanrio-ized version of London and Paris look exactly like something you'd see in one of their stores. Even beyond appearance, though, there's a charm to the world of Hello Kitty Online that practically yanks the 6-year-old girl in me out to play, even though I'm actually not that fond of MMOs. Part of the charm comes from the "friendly" design of the game that lulls me into participating in basic MMO practices I've come to loath on principle like resource-whoring and level grinding. Technically, you do both in the game, but it's just so cute and charming it doesn't really feel like you're slaughtering the same half-dozen wild boars or so for that next level. For example, to get between towns, you have to cross adventure areas, which are loaded with resource points and cute little animals. The animals will eventually agro on you if you get to close to them, but when it's time to "fight," you just whip out a magic wand and charm them to sleep – and then go on harvesting their natural habitat. Isn't that adorable in a way that makes you almost sick?

There are two more things about Hello Kitty Online that aren't quite as interesting (at least not to me), but still good to know. The first is that while Hello Kitty Online is technically a Free to Play MMO that functions on micro-transactions, Aeria Games says you can earn items and equipment equivalent (but slightly different in appearance) to what you could buy in real life just through questing. Apparently their goal is to change the stigma of "Free to Play" to "Play for Free" by letting everyone get as much mileage out of Hello Kitty Online as they want without getting out their wallets. Without spending a dime, they say, that's over 100 hours of gameplay just grinding through the main quest.

The second interesting thing is that you can charm animals in the world to be your pets. Pets in Hello Kitty function like two parts Tamagotchi, one part Pokémon and one part stat buff. You have to feed them and pet them and clean up their poo to make sure they don't run away; you can cross breed them with other pets to make totally unique pets with special talents; and depending on the level of the animal, your character can score a stat buff. The reason this isn't that interesting to me is because I've got a track record of killing Tamagotchi.

Hello Kitty Online is due to go live this fall. I'm all set to get a better look at the beta later this month with a serious binge. I return frothing pink foam at the mouth, consider that my preview of what you can expect from the game.

Aeria Games will manage the online publishing and day-to-day operation of Sanrio Digital's Hello Kitty Online, a massively multiplayer online game with a built-in audience consisting of anyone who has ever professed a preference for the color pink. Currently in beta, Hello Kitty Online will launch later this year in North America with a free-to-play business model supported by microtransactions.

"Sanrio Digital is very excited to partner with Aeria Games, who will be our online publisher and operator for Hello Kitty Online in North America. With Aeria Games' leadership position in the free-to-play casual MMO sector and Hello Kitty brand awareness among the underserved female gaming audience, Hello Kitty Online will grow into a leading social gaming destination for teens and female adults," said Robert Ferrari, Vice President of Publishing & Business Development of Sanrio Digital.

And there you have it! What could possibly top this news? Nothing. Nothing at all. GDC is now closed. You can all go home now.

Marriage in Dream of Mirror Online isn't just about role-playing. Like many free-to-play games out of the Asian continent, getting hitched in the game offers real benefits to players. In this case, after completing a series of quests and holding their dream marriage, couples can summon each other wherever they are in the game, as well as heal each other during combat, Now same sex partners will be able to enjoy the benefits of holy matrimony as well, which apparently is something Dream of Mirror Online players have been clamoring for since the North American version of the game went live in the fall of 2007.

So if you've got a sweetheart that uses the same bathroom at Burger King as you do and your state doesn't recognize your pairing, don't fret - you can spend the rest of your adorable virtual lives together in Dream of Mirror Online.

And yes, I realize the picture features a woman and (arguably) a man. Aeria has yet to approve same sex marriage wallpapers.

Starting December 12th, which just so happens to be four days inn the past, members of the Aeria Games community will be receiving special codes in their email redeemable for Aeria Points, which is the fake money used to purchase in-game items in their free-to-play, microtransaction-based MMO titles. Every community member will be getting a surprise amount, which in my case was 200 points, or $2 worth of fake money. Boasting more than 5 million community members, the math doesn't quite add up to $1 per person, considering my $2 bonus, so we'll see how that all turns out.

A nice gesture, but methinks the true reason behind the generosity is due to the fact that A - this isn't real money, and B - this might just get more people interested in what the Aeria store has to offer. Nothing says Merry Christmas like marketing!

Aeria Games Gives $5 Million Dollars To Its Gaming Community

Santa Clara, CA- Dec 16, 2008 -'Tis the season for giving and this is exactly what Aeria Games is doing. Starting on December 12th, Aeria Games will be gifting more than $5 million dollars to its valued community.

The Aeria Games community will be receiving special codes via e-mail to redeem Aeria Points - the virtual currency of the Aeria Games portal. Every community member will receive a surprise amount of Aeria Points which can be utilized to purchase unique virtual items within any of the unique Free to Play MMO games provided by Aeria Games.

The Aeria Games portfolio boasts 10 MMO titles covering the fantasy, social, and action genres with a minimum of 10 more to be launched in 2009 for North America and Europe. The Aeria community is one of the fastest growing Free-to-Play communities with over 5 million members to date.

Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine Online is the MMO version of Atlus' acclaimed and slightly twisted RPG series, which covers a wide variety of titles from Devil Summoner to Nocturne to the Persona series, characterized by stylish artwork and the ability to summon and breed demons.

The invites began arriving yesterday, so if you signed up, you might want to check your inbox. I've been checking mine nonstop for the past 18 hours, in between bouts of sobbing. No invite for me. *sniffle*

UPDATE: FileFront contacted me to let me know they have 20,000 keys up for grabs here.

The announcement didn't come with any sort of time frame, but Aeria has historically been pretty quick from announcement to beta, so I'd keep an eye on them if I were you.

Aeria Games Announces Acquisition of Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine Online for North American and European Release

Santa Clara, Calif. (Sept. 9, 2008) – Aeria Games’ newest acquisition from Cave Co., Ltd., Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine Online, also called “MegaTen,” will soon be released in the European and North American online PC gaming markets in four languages: English, French, German and Spanish.

Shin Megami Tensei is a major intellectual property of the well-known Japanese developer and publisher, Atlus Co., Ltd. The first of many titles in the franchise was released by Atlus in 1992 for the Japanese Super NES and has grown a large and loyal following around the world with additional game titles for consumer consoles and handheld systems. The latest installment brings the brand online.

Originally released in Japan in Q1 2007, Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine Online was Cave’s first massive multiplayer online (MMO) title for PC. MegaTen has become a huge success with a large fan following. Aeria Games plans on bringing that success to the European and North American markets as it has done with its titles Last Chaos and Shaiya.

Set in a fictional post-apocalyptic Tokyo, survivors attempt to restore the city by defeating demons and solving puzzles. Each player acts as a “Devil Buster.” Success relies on forming an alliance with demons or slaying them.

MegaTen offers numerous unique features:

* Strategic Real-time Fighting System - Choose between attacking, parrying and defending in real time.
* Diverse Weaponry – Use a wide array of weapons from medieval swords to modern-day rifles and handguns.
* Devil Partnership – Players negotiate with devils to assist in battle and missions.
* Devil Fusing – Players can combine multiple devils to create new breeds.
* Private Dungeons – In addition to the public battle areas, players can access private dungeons to hunt and collect items with their friends.

More information is available at http://www.aeriagames.com.

Dream of Mirror Online Website [Aeria Games]

Aeria Games Announces the Closed Beta for Shaiya

California, U.S.A. (November 12, 2007) - Shaiya will be launched by Aeria Games for a Closed Beta test in North America starting on the week of November 26th.

Shaiya is a fantasy Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG). Located on a distant planet, Shaiya puts players in the middle of an age-old blood feud between two warring factions: the Union of Fury and the Alliance of Light

The Beta test phase gives players early access to a game with dozens of maps, hundreds of monsters, over 1,000 quests, and more than 1,000 different items, armor and weapons. This classic-style MMORPG offers players:

PvE, PvP, RvR: The best of all game worlds in one game. Slay monsters, battle friends in duels, smite opposing players in PvP, and fight for control of the continent in Realm versus Realm combat. To the winner of RvR goes the blessing of their Goddess and all the bonuses that includes!

Intriguing Content: Run bootlegs to the opposing faction and sell wares to the enemy. Go on quests that range from delivering love letters to completing a hit on an enemy. Impact your entire realm with your acts of heroism on the battlefield.

Classic RPG Elements: shining armor, dragons, elves, orcs, swords, magic, dramatic music, beautiful realms, quests, faithful steeds, and never-ending of battle of Light versus Darkness.

Players are encouraged to sign up for CB on the Shaiya website at: http://shaiya.aeriagames.com

Aeria Games Announces the Closed Beta for DOMO to Start on 11/12/2007

California, U.S.A. (November 5, 2007) - DOMO will be launched by Aeria Games for a Closed Beta test in North America starting on the week of November 12th.

DOMO is a social massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) themed around the ancient Oriental myth of the Kunlun Mirror. Players enter an anime-inspired world to socialize and form friendships, learn crafting skills and level up, all within the quest of trying to solve the riddle of the ancient myth.

"We are thrilled at the opportunities that DOMO offers," said JT Nguyen, Chief Marketing Officer, "In the realm of massive online games, DOMO stands out as unique. We're excited and can't wait to show our players the new experiences that await them."

DOMO offers players rich interactive features, a robust crafting system, extensive quests, and many fun skills.
Other features include:

*Extensive Customization - Players can choose from a wide variety of hairstyles, costumes, and features for each character, allowing each player to show his or her uniqueness.
*Robust Crafting System - Players can choose from 6 skills - meditation, mining, animal breeding, farming and forestry.
*Rich Social Features - DOMO promotes interactions among players. Players have special bonds with others, such as master/disciple, lovers and friends.
*Realistic Pet System - Players have the ability to nurture and earn the loyalty of various pets. Loyal pets can help their masters in battle and life; disgruntled ones can quickly desert their owners.

Players are encouraged to sign up for early access to Closed Beta on the DOMO website at: http://DOMO.AeriaGames.com