Sony and Virgin Comics Reimagine Sanskrit Epic as an MMO

John Smedely, Deepak Chopra, and Sir Richard Branson. Strange bedfellows indeed. But it's precisely this unlikely conglomerate that's responsible for one the more promising recent announcements in the MMO space: a sci-fi retelling of the ancient Sanskrit epic Ramayana, based on a 2006 comic series by the Chopra-founded Virgin label. Ramayana 3392 A.D. sets the Sanskrit classic in a futuristic dystopia, incorporating its characters, settings, and themes into a grim sci-fi milieu.

SOE announced today that it has signed an exclusive multiyear license agreement with Virgin Comics for the* Ramayana 3392 A.D.* MMO. SOE will create the game, and Virgin Comics will serve as a creative consultant.

Says Sharah Devajaran, COE and Co-Founder of Virgin Comics:

In a world increasingly dominated with games influenced by a western
Tolkien mythos, Ramayan will offer gamers a chance to experience a whole new universe of characters and archetypes derived from one of the oldest cultures on Earth. Our mission at Virgin Comics has always been to allow this generation of Indian youth to have a creative platform through which to speak to the world. Through this collaboration with the likeminded visionaries at SOE, our young Indian creators will make gaming history worldwide.

I'm certainly anxious to hear more about it. Though I'm not super familiar with the comic series, what little I've seen is certainly exciting from a visual standpoint. There's definitely a lot here to build a cool MMO from. Let's hope all the hands that are involved will do the work justice.