Sony Online Entertainment's David Christensen has sold UK site Eurogamer.net that he believes we all need a little helping hand learning about cultures foreign to our own - and that his firm's latest MMO creations can help broaden horizons.

Talking about SOE's Ramayan MMO, being developed alongside Virgin Comics, the business development chief said he hopes the new title will promote religious awareness among western audiences - the new online game being based on a futuristic take on classic Hindu poem the Ramayana.

"Unfortunately I think most people - not just those in the gaming industry - are a bit naive when it comes to any culture but their own, which is precisely why SOE believes it is of the utmost importance to partner with local talent in every foreign market we enter," the executive explained.

While the new title is being crafted in the main for the Indian market, Christensen hopes other parts of the world will also discover the appeal of the game and its unique inspiration.

"The game is being developed in India for Indian gamers, but we expect it to be a success worldwide; to anyone that enjoys a rich and colourful storyline," he explained. "The comic Ramayan 3392 is meant to be entertaining, but at the same there are lessons in honour, duty and karma to be learned from it. I'm hopeful we can capture some of those lessons in our game."

SOE are banking on non-fantasy style MMOs such as this, and The Agency, to push the genre forward. Ramayan should be out in 2010. More as we get it.

By Luke Guttridge

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