Tokyo-based software distributor and online games publisher Vector announced The Seventh Dragon (no relation to Sega and Imageepoch's Nintendo DS RPG with the same name in Japan), its first MMORPG to feature an English edition, launching on December 1st.

Known as Dragon Crusade in Japan, the free, browser-based title has players creating heroes and rebuilding castles previously destroyed by invading devils. They can grow the structures into huge cities, battle monsters, acquire new weapons, join guilds, and fight in player versus player battles.

The "persistent world simulation RPG" includes a couple interesting features, like its Beginner Protection, which gives newcomers a nine-day period during which other players cannot attack them. The Seventh Dragon also allows gamers to give instructions and set production commands that their characters execute while players are offline.

Established in 1989, Vector entered the MMO space in 2006 after purchasing publishing rights for MicMac Online in Japan. The company has since released MMORPG ArsMagna, acquired Gamespace 24 (Fairytale Land, Navyfield Neo) from Success Corp., and formed a capital and business alliance with MMO operator Gala Inc.