It takes a brave company to launch a new MMOG on the gaming world, with Tabula Rasa, and Hellgate London's servers going offline for good after just a year. Sometimes, even a big movie license can't save the fate of the humble MMO, with The Matrix Online finally getting canned by Sony, after four years in action.

So what's a MMOG-fan to do? Join the rest of the free world playing World of Warcraft to death and become a total conformist?

There is another alternative, as Gala Networks has announced that the previously closed beta 3D side-scrolling MMORPG, Dragonica, is now in open beta and free for anyone to download and play in Europe. The game features classic 3D arcade-style combat, in addition to "ten player PvP multiplayer modes, a wide variety of Guild, Trade and Community features" and the ability to take part in 50 player battlegrounds in the game's 25v25 Guild Emporia Wars.

The open beta is very near the retail release version, so gamers should jump in now while the going's good -- and free. The game is available to download now from Dragonica Gold .THQ will be releasing a retail version for PC in October, and Xbox 360 later this year. A PlayStation 3 version is also planned.