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聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 That's right! I've been able to score an interview with none other than Edwin Huang, the Product Manager for Wonderland Online over at IGG (Intenet Gaming Gate). My experiences in-game and some of the more elaborate questions that plagued my mind after looking into Wonderland Online forced me to try to find out more, yet from the source. It's an honour to have聽Mr.Huang answer the questions that I've asked, and I appreciate his time and effort聽taken in responding to me as well. Without further ado, here's the聽interview itself.
Splices: Just so the record is straight, who am I talking with and what is your position at IGG? Huang: I am Edwin Huang, the Product Manager of Wonderland Online for IGG. Wonderland Online is the sixth MMOG currently being published via IGG.com.
Splices: Lets say I've never heard of Wonderland Online at all. What key points about the game do you think are most interesting to a gamer? Huang: Well, the most distinct feature of Wonderland Online is that players can have a [HOME] in the game. With the help of the manufacturing system, players can decorate their houses with all kinds of furniture.
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Unique Housing System
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Splices: What direction do you think IGG will focus on in regards to Wonderland Online? Content? Translation issues? Events? Huang: At present, we are focused on how to increase the number of online players. The game is offered for free, so the number of players is critical to its success. We feel the game content is more suitable for North American players after several discussions with developers and some content adjustment. As for the game translation, our professional translators have taken on the task and double checked all the details extensively. Meanwhile, we are actively cooperating with Media to carry out abundant activities. More abundant online and offline activities will be held continually.
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Cute and Exciting Houses!
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聽Splices: My first impression of Wonderland Online is that it's a crafting game, but I have to say that there's a certain level of nostalgia involved. Was it IGG's intention to try to stir up that "old RPG'er nostalgia" or was it just a mishap when looking for super-cute and unique MMORPGs? Huang: I think the powerful manufacturing system of Wonderland Online is one of the most important reasons why we operate this game. Although it is a 2D turn-based free MMORPG, a lot of the content is very unique. The manufacturing system, fishing system, interior decoration system, combination system and other systems offer players聽more fun. (For more information聽about the manufacturing system, please visit http://wl.igg.com/guide/guide.php?acid=106)
Splices: Have you had much hands-on experience with Wonderland Online, besides those office-frenzy pre-alpha tests? Huang: Yeap. Before the Alpha Test, we did a lot of closed tests. We have experienced all the details and mended all the bugs we found. Meanwhile, I have personally played this game in the Chinese server extensively.
Splices: What's your favourite experience in Wonderland Online, as a player or as a Staff Member? Huang: As a player, Wonderland Online has made a deep impression on me. I have a cute monkey as my pet; I can enjoy the spring bath and fish with my friends. In addition, those CG pictures on the desktop are vivid. More than that, I am very surprised when I find a lot of real-life furniture such as sofas, TVs, computers and others made using the powerful in-game manufacturing system.
Splices: Out of my own curiosity as a low-level player: is it possible to kill an NPC? I've forced a few PK
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PVP Madness!
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battles with them, but they tend to run away from me (or kill me without mercy!). Huang: When your character level is high enough, you can PVP with certain NPCs. Watch out for these NPCs though, because their levels ar ehigher than most common players. If you would like to PK, you can take part in the Group PK event every Saturday. There are events everyday except Thursdays. Meanwhile, our GMs always prepare wonderful online events for players.
Splices: Another concern I've run across on the low-level front: What about this whole 'higher level players jumping into your battle and sweeping up' stuff? Any plans to try to prevent kill-stealing? Or is it not that big of an ordeal/part of the actual game-play? Huang: 聽This temporary reinforcement will not result in kill-stealing. It is easier for high level players to kill monsters by themselves rather than engage in kill-stealing because there are a lot of monsters in the game and they are refreshed quickly. In addition, even if monsters are killed by players who jump into your battle and do the clean up for you, the system will show that the party leader completed it.
Splices: What type of events do you think will be focused around the Wonderland Online world? Are you open for suggestions? Huang: Regular events are scheduled everyday (except Thursday). Events which need cooperation will be focused around the game world. We have a special part for these events in our forum. If you have any good suggestions, please post your ideas in our forum.
Splices: I must say: Thanks for the Beetle Car. I look awesome in it...okay, really, I feel a bit tacky saying that. But still, are you folks running around in these Beetles too? Because I must admit, they're pretty stylish. Huang: Thanks for your participation in the Wonderland Alpha Test. We give each player a Beetle car in appreciation for their participation. Just as you said, these Beetle cars are very stylish and "cool". Actually, you can make this car or even steamship, spacecraft, or UFO by using the manufacturing system in Wonderland Online.
Splices: Joking aside for now, I've found that there's a strong community within the game. Are there any plans to try to keep this 'friendship' amongst players solid? Guilds? Better partying options? You get the idea. Huang: It is true. Before the alpha test, there were many players that created guilds in the forum. Also, after the alpha test started there were many, many guilds created. We also hope there will be many more guilds in the future. You will meet more players and make more friends after joining a guild. You can also help other players to create a friendly atmosphere while playing this game.
Splices: With the progress of your other titles, how do you feel with the response to Wonderland Online? It must've felt pretty good to have the beta server filled up on the first day. Huang: I hope more and more players will join in our Wonderland Online world to enjoy [HOME] and have fun. Players can manufacture furniture, make friends, catch pets, enjoy fishing and other systems in the Wonderland Online.
Huang: Thank you for your time and participation in this Interview. I'm honored that we could have this little 'chat' about the future of Wonderland Online
And thank you, Mr. Huang for taking the time to answer all of these questions. I only hope that IGG feels that my inteview was well worth it. This is Freelancer Splices, signing out and gaming. Keep up the good fight against those evil slimes, squirrels, and any other evil enemy of your's in-game!
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