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Enter the Dragon
9Dragons Publisher Howard Marks plans to harness the MMO beast
Rumors of Acclaim's demise have been greatly exaggerated. In fact, the renowned game developer is thriving yet again, this time taking the leap into the multi-player realm with new MMORPG 9Dragons.
Set in China during the Ming Dynasty, 9Dragons unleashes an epic world steeped in the ancient history and mythology of the Far East. Each character's combat moves are based on authentic Kung Fu disciplines, and weapons include nunchackus and throwing stars. As players ally themselves with one of the nine clans, they set out on quests to help establish order within the chaotic historical Chinese landscape.
With over three years of development and over ten million dollars in costs, 9Dragons offers a truly visceral MMO experience with the unique Indy21 TripleX engine. Jaw-dropping fluidity, 360 degree rotation, and the ability to zoom are just some of its unique features. Not surprising, 9Dragons won the coveted Game of the Year prize in Korea 2005.
Recently, we sat down with the CEO of Acclaim Howard Marks to get the inside scoop on 9Dragons, what to expect from this highly anticipated MMO, and what Acclaim has in store in the coming year:
LQGaming Services:: 9Dragons was originally developed in Korea. How did you happen upon it and why do you think this sort of MMO will be successful in the West?
Howard Marks: After purchasing the Acclaim brand, I knew that I needed to find a high quality MMORPG that would offer a new concept and that could establish Acclaim as a high quality publisher of online games. We just launched BOTS (www.botsgame.com) and our second title is 9Dragons (www.9dragonsgame.com). I met the developer, Indy21, and immediately fell in love with this game. It has a very poetic feel and a great sense of dignity to it. You are immediately immersed in a colorful and beautiful world with amazing graphics and animations. They chose the Ming Dynasty as the historical and fantasy background for this game. I just felt that our audience would love to try something fresh and of intense beauty.
"To succeed in 9Dragons you must follow the tradition that has existed for thousands of years in China."
LQGaming Services:: Good point. I mean, how many Orcs can you put down before it grows stale. So, 9Dragons is described as a Martial Arts MMO. Can you tell us how you incorporate martial arts into the game?
Howard Marks: Martial arts are central to this game. You start as a novice and you must become a master to succeed. Unlike many games, you're not just given a fighting skill, you must earn it, train for it and then practice it to obtain mastery. The gameplay offers a new challenge to players who are looking for a game that is more than the hack and slash. To succeed in 9Dragons you must follow the tradition that has existed for thousands of years in China. In terms of fighting, there are over 400 different fighting moves with over 500 items of martial arts weaponry. Martial arts is central to this game. No two players will use their martial arts skills in the same way.
LQGaming Services:: I see. Something to appeal to the Jackie Chan in all of us. But, more specifically, what is the story line and how will players be taking part in the game?
Howard Marks: We have not announced the story line but I can tell you that it plays during the Ming Dynasty where China was in chaos and you must join one of the 9Dragons or clans. You choose a starting location at one of the great martial arts schools. You learn fighting skills and after a short period you join one of the six clans (three more will be introduced later).
LQGaming Services:: Interesting. So, process and building skills are key to a player's success, much like in true martial arts. Does this mean 9Dragons also incorporates actual elements of Chinese Myth that were circulating at the time and plays them out in-game? Or does 9Dragons take a strictly historical and more realistic path?
Howard Marks: Yes, this game actually weaves historical facts and Chinese mythology all in one engaging story. The game plays during the Ming Dynasty, an historical period in China. You feel that you are part of history and yet the creative license introduces more depth to the story. The characters have special abilities and strength not found in normal humans. We also have made the story accessible to audiences who are not familiar with Chinese mythology because we want our game to be played by anyone interested in this theme.
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