Gravity Interactive has announced an open beta for "Requiem: Bloddymare," the upcoming MMORPG set in the world of Ethegia, which is scheduled to begin Thursday.

"MMO fans, the wait is over, registration for the Requiem: Bloodymare beta begins today. Gamers can begin playing on May 15, 2008.

Requiem: Bloodymare’s brand of horror is changing the face of massively multiplayer online games. With innovative ragdoll physics, buckets of blood and the unique Nightmare, DNA and Beast Possession systems, Requiem offers players gameplay they will not find anywhere else.

The DNA system allows players to customize their characters to their heart’s content by combining new pieces of DNA. There are five slots available but certain combinations can have special results and unlock a sixth slot.

The Beast Possession system allows players to transform their characters into menacing Beasts in order to slay even the fiercest of monsters. Beasts can be acquired starting on level 25 and gain experience with the user’s main character. Up to three beasts can be equipped allowing players to select between warrior and magic user beasts to balance their play style.

The Nightmare system is one of Requiem’s main differentiators. Requiem has day and night cycles; a full day takes two hours in-game. Every night, from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., the world goes dark and much more powerful monsters come to life. Players are able to collect better loot from Nightmare monsters; however they’ll need backup in order to avoid repeated, painful deaths.

“We’re extremely excited about going into open beta. Requiem was developed from the get-go to take adult gaming to a whole new level and we achieved that with gut-wrenching battles and MMO bloodshed you have never seen before,” said Jay H. Choi, vice president, Gravity Interactive. “The open beta will give everyone the opportunity to seek adventure in Ethegia – and cut monsters in half, of course.”

Set in the frozen tundras of Crescent, the streets of Parness and many other mysterious locales, Requiem: Bloodymare plunges players in a world where technology has gone berserk and blood-thirsty creatures lurk around every corner, allowing for a unique horror MMO experience.

Requiem: Bloodymare is now available to all players. To play the game, go to www.playrequiem.com, create your free beta account and download the client.

The game will be free-to-play with two levels of premium subscriptions."