FANS of sensational online game MapleStory can look forward to embarking on new virtual quests and slaying new monsters from this weekend.

The popular multi-player game, which has a million players here, will have its highly anticipated second 'episode' launched at the Asiasoft Game Festival, part of the larger Licence2Play gaming exhibition starting tomorrow.

The upgrade for MapleStory includes a new training ground, character classes and a partnership system. At the exhibition, the company behind MapleStory - Asiasoft Online - will hold family challenges and give participants chances to win items that can be used in the game.

It will also auction off five rare in-game items. Proceeds of the auction will go to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund and the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Singapore.

Another highlight of Licence2Play is Darkmoon Faire. Fans of World Of Warcraft will know this as a travelling trade fair in that virtual world, but Darkmoon Faire at the exhibition is a fun fair featuring tournaments and carnival booths. Several gaming competitions, such as The Straits Times' GameIN inter-school tournament and The New Paper's Cyber Challenge, will also be held.

The Singapore Cybersports & Online Game Association, one of the event's official partners, has brought in gamers and experts to give talks on topics such as the world of professional gaming, and how to stay healthy and safe despite long hours of online play. Spokesman Nicholas Aaron Khoo said the group wants to help parents make sense of games through seminars on the ins and outs of MapleStory and World Of Warcraft. 'We hope to bridge that digital divide, and give parents something in common with their children.'

Lifeguard Adnan Talib, 44, is taking part in the MapleStory team contest with his children. He covets a special claw weapon that will be auctioned off, but doubts he will be able to afford it. He heard that the last time such a weapon was sold, it cost $2,000. 'I still have three kids and a wife to take care of.'

The show, organised by Singapore Press Holdings' Sphere Exhibits, will open from 11am to 9pm at Suntec City's Hall 603 till Sunday.