Asiasoft will no longer publish RO2 for Singapore and Malaysia

It’s the end of an era as we know it. Asiasoft is handing over publishing rights of Ragnarok Online II: Legend of the Second (RO2) in Singapore and Malaysia to Gravity’s own online publishing service, Warpportal.

Don’t go into a frenzy just yet! Asiasoft will be merging all existing RO2 accounts into Warpportal’s database, with all character data except any remaining in-game cash available on the Warpportal servers at a later date.

AS of today, all game cash conversion to Asiasoft’s RO2 client will be disabled, while new PlayID registrations will be blocked. The company’s RO2 service for Singapore and Malaysia will shut down on October 9, 2014.

(See: Asiasoft’s first English language mobile game offering is a complete dud)

In an unpublicized blog post, Asiasoft recommends preparing for the Warpportal service by going here. It also shares information on a final in-game event on October 4, at 4:00 P.M. (GMT +8). Details of this event are yet to come, but all your favorite RO2 gamemasters will be there.

Additionally, players who wish to stick it out with Asiasoft can shift over to DC Universe Online (DCUO). All RO2 players will be getting a welcome package for DCUO, and you can claim yours here. The blog post ends by suggesting players keep up with Asiasoft’s Facebook pages to find out more as the shutdown date gets closer.

Releasing publishing rights to Ragnarok Online II: Legend of the Second narrows Asiasoft’s Ragnarok portfolio to just Thailand.

(See: RO Mobile TH tops Thailand’s app charts)

On the other hand, Warpportal is a blast from the past, now including not only Legend of the Second but also the other (poorly-received) Ragnarok Online II game, Advent of Valkyrie. Warpportal also holds publishing rights to Rose Online, Dragon Saga, and the gorefest Requiem, along with other MMORPGs and mobile games.

Is this why they’re letting it go?