Tabula Rasa preorders get bonus

Richard Garriott's massively multiplayer online role-playing game Tabula Rasa may not be launching until October, but gamers can buy the pre-order pack of the PC game now--some three months before its release. The 'Pre-Order Bonus Pack' is available for download from various online retailers in Europe and North America and from the NCsoft online store from August 10.

The pack includes a copy of the game client on DVD--which will allow players access to the beta test of the game, which is currently under way--a three-day head start when the retail version of the game goes live, exclusive in-game pets and emotes, bonus wallpapers, and art.

A boxed copy of the game will arrive on store shelves August 31, for those who prefer their games with cardboard. The game will be officially going online in Q4 in North America and Europe.

Tabula Rasa is the latest creation from games industry veteran Richard Garriott, who grew to fame with the Ultima series of PC RPGs. Garriott's latest breaks with current MMORPG convention by having a sci-fi as opposed to fantasy theme. The developer has said that the game will challenge other online game conventions as well, including respawning monsters, static worlds, and repetitive quests.

Today NCsoft also announced a Platinum Edition for the Guild Wars: Eye of the North expansion, which will include the original game along with the expansion, and is due for release August 31.