Back in 2008, dtp entertainment and its RealU development studio announced they were working on an MMO based on Tad Williams' Otherland series of sci-fi novels, which are set in a future where people can fully immerse themselves in an online world. It looks like players will soon get their hands on the game now that gamigo has signed a license agreement to publish the title in North America. In fact, gamigo announced today at Gamescom that the game will launch in 2012 with the closed beta scheduled to begin early next year. You can register for the beta on the Otherland site.

Perhaps the most exciting part of this announcement is the reveal of the first Otherland trailer. RealU has been building the game using the Unreal 3 engine since 2006, and the graphics look quite impressive. Watch the video below for a taste of what this free-to-play game will offer players next year.

Once you've watched the trailer, keep reading after the jump for more details on Otherland.

Otherland Details from gamigo

Otherland features lush landscapes, highly-detailed character models and top-notch effects thanks to the state-of-the-art technology of the Unreal Engine 3. The developers had a wealth of material to draw upon when creating the highly-varied mulitverses. There is little to limit the imagination in virtual reality, making an endless variety of settings imaginable. "Eight Squared" is a classic medieval world with fairy-tale castles and massive chess pieces floating the air. Mars is hardly a red wasteland but instead boasts impressive Oriental buildings. Additional worlds are already in development.

The "non-targeting system" makes fighting in Otherland focused on the action. The game features long-range weapons such as bows or guns as well as weapons designed for melee combat such as clubs, swords and lances. Attacks are not aimed at a specific target, so sweeping blows or mighty swings will hit all enemies within range! Position and separate targeting are important aspects of battles, making them far more dynamic and intuitive.

Socializing plays a huge role in Otherland.  In the colorful neon gorges of the "Lambda Mall", players can make plans to meet up for a chat in one of the many bars to unwind from the hubbub of battle. They can also take part in a variety of mini-games such as dancing competitions or aerial combat. The Lambda Mall is a central meeting place, a shopping center and a place for relaxation, all rolled into one. Those who prefer to have their own private place to relax can create their own little realm in "MyLand." Throughout the multiverse, players can gather what is known as "eDNA" from opponents. After collecting enough eDNA, they will be able to place, among other things, creatures to protect them in the MyLand.