''Prius Online'', also known by its retitled name ''Arcane Saga Online'', is a

Free-to-play Free-to-play (F2P or FtP) video games are games that give players access to a significant portion of their content without paying or do not require paying to continue playing. Free-to-play is distinct from traditional commercial software, which ...

3D fantasy

massively multiplayer online role-playing game A massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) is a video game that combines aspects of a role-playing video game and a massively multiplayer online game. As in role-playing games (RPGs), the player assumes the role of a Player charac ...

(MMORPG) which revolves around a three character (3C) playing system. The 3C system consists of your main character, the Anima, and the Gigas. The Anima is your character's companion, and the relationship you develop with her, as you try to unravel the mysteries of her forgotten past, determine her personality and strengthen your bonds. The Gigas, summoned by the Anima in times of battle, are strategic and dynamic mercenaries that fight by your side. Through this system the game aims to create rich and immersive emotional experiences for the character and the Anima. It was originally launched only for Korea in 2008. Launched internationally by

gPotato gPotato is a free multiplayer game portal website operated in Japan and South Korea by Gala Inc. and its subsidiaries, and formerly in North America and Europe by subsidiaries of South Korean-based Webzen. gPotato game portals are in South Korea ...

in 2011, the service by gPotato was discontinued on March 27, 2012. The game was discontinued on December 17, 2013, in South Korea.

History

''Prius Online'' was first launched in 2008, but was only available in Korean. In the summer of 2011, the game was localized to English and launched internationally, with no regional restrictions. In September 2013 a Prius private server was opened.

Death of Kim Sa-rang

On September 24, 2009, Kim Sa-rang, a 3-month-old Korean child, died from malnutrition after both her parents spent hours each day in an internet cafe playing Prius Online.Couple Let Baby Starve to Death While Raising Virtual Baby Online
/ref> The incident was featured in the 2014 Sundance Film Festival-debuted documentary '' Love Child''.Love Child review: The human cost of Internet addiction in Korea
Ars Technica

References

{{Reflist

External links

Prius Anima Official (Online)

Official Korean site (Offline)
2008 video games Massively multiplayer online role-playing games Video games developed in South Korea Fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing games Products and services discontinued in 2013 Inactive massively multiplayer online games Windows games Windows-only games