Questions
by Danny "Ralsu" Gourley
style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">
Answers
by Ice Han, Product Manager of
style="font-weight: bold;">Zu Online
Sky Union Co., Ltd. operates a handful of free-to-play games on their
Internet Gaming Gate (http://igg.com),
and each has a different feel to appeal to varied audiences. To find
out more about Zu Online,
Ten Ton Hammer spent some time with Ice Han, Product Manager for the
game.
Q: The art in style="font-style: italic;">Zu Online almost
looks like a watercolor painting. How did the team decide this was the
right choice for the game?
beginning, we planned to produce a game with distinctive Chinese
characteristics. Besides the cultural connotation, the most direct way
for players to get a feel for a game is the art. So there was no doubt
that the watercolor style was our best option.
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The art in
style="font-style: italic;">Zu Online is very
distinct.
Q:
style="font-style: italic;">Zu Online features
5 classes that arose from the 5 ancient clans. Are the classes balanced
well? Are each of the five desired in groups?
5 classes, originated with 5 ancient clans, including the Swordsmen
with their unmatched sword skills, the Moonmaidens agility and
cunning, Sun Warriors with their steely stature, the Bead Fairies who
heal and protect, and the mysterious Summoners with their spiritual
abilities. These 5 classes each have diverse characteristic skills to
satisfy as many different players as possible. As for clan balance,
player feedback has been very positive; many articles discussing this
have been posted in the forum, which has given more inspiration to the
R&D staff, and we will be increasingly balancing the abilities
of each clan. When making teams, there is no requirement that states
that the team must be made of one of each clan. That would be
impractical. However, we do offer teams made up of all five clans an
additional 10% Exp as an incentive for diversity.
Q: Rumor says players can
travel on swords in Zu
Online. What's that all about?
the Chinese secondary world culture. After training for a while, a
player can ride on an item. Of course, the Swordsman ride their swords,
but this skill is not limited to them. In the game, we provide two
kinds of rides, one is a ride from point to point; the other is free.
Just click the location on the map and players will appear there
shortly. This kind of ride is free three times a day. After that it
requires 2000 bones every time. Although players pay more attention to
the free-control ride [editor's note: rides that players can control], style="font-style: italic;">Zu Online doesnt
offer it yet.
Q: Players in
style="font-style: italic;">Zu Online have an
"immortal grade." What exactly is that?
design the calamity every 60 years, and launch the thunder, flame and
wind calamity upon players...During the period, the demiurge will
decide their future destiny according to their good deeds and their bad
deeds...Players will first face the thunder calamity, and gain the
title of junior immortal from their master, as well as the 2% attacking
and defending benefit. Players can later challenge the flame calamity,
for an additional title and better benefits. These are designed as
sorts of tests of your immortal skills and strength.
Q: Weapons in the game
show loyalty to their owners by taking the name of the person who
wields them. Does this mean that players cannot trade items in
style="font-style: italic;">Zu Online?
items in Zu Online,
except for some binding items, [such] as for those weapons taking the
name of their owners. Some high-ranking binding items are set to be
exclusive and cannot be traded.
Q: What is the maximum
character level in Zu
Online? Does it take a long time to gain a level in the
game?
character level in Zu
Online is level 300, and at present it has been open to
level 180. Actually, Zu
Online is an interactive and highly technical game, so
players can easily gain exp from finishing their tasks. Taking part in
the activities and sects can help you advance easily. After their sects
occupy the lead pillars, players can gain great exp through AFK
leveling at the teleport point.
Q: Summoners in
style="font-style: italic;">Zu Online call on
powerful elemental forces to do major damage to enemies. Are some
enemies immune to certain elements?
powerful elemental forces is the Summoner's special skill. The major
attack of Summoners depends on this system. If some monsters were
immune, the Summoners would be defenseless, which would also affect the
balance of power among clans.
Q: How many trinkets can
a single player in Zu
Online use at once? How are they obtained?
various, such as conceal, reinforced attack and so on. Players can only
use one at a time. Trinkets can be obtained through fighting with
monsters and finishing tasks.
Q: The latest
style="font-style: italic;">Zu Online update
raises the protection level for newbies to 60. What does this mean?
emphasize the game skill of players and the cooperation between
players. With the newbie protection level changing to 60, we can give
newbies more time and space to learn better game skills and find out
the most exciting parts of Zu
Online in a safe manner. However, when they are no longer
truly a newbie, they can bravely face the many dangers in style="font-style: italic;">Zu Online.
Q: What should players
know about Player-vs.-Player combat in
style="font-style: italic;">Zu Online?
some different factors that will make them feel more excitement from
the PvP system of Zu
Online. There are three different factions in game, so
players from different factions go after other factions' players to
gain faction credits. Adversely, players in the same faction will
suffer punishment if they kill each other. At the same time, we know
the importance of protecting newbies, so players below level 60 can't
be attacked by other players.
style="font-weight: bold;">Q: Thanks for your time. Is there
anything else about Zu
Online you'd like to share with us?
the support from our players in Zu
Online. As the first Chinese Training pattern online
English game, we believe we can bring a totally different online gaming
experience to you with our many original systems, including the
watercolor painting style, the sword riding, the Summon Jinn system,
the Talent system, the Arms system, the Pet system, the Formation
system, and the simple operational setting just to name a few.
In addition, the new 6th edition of style="font-style: italic;">Zu Online...releases
in late May. At that time, new players will feel the more intensive
excitement of riding on their sword, and the game settings will be
easier to master. Furthermore, many more interesting and practical
factors are being added to perfect the systems in style="font-style: italic;">Zu Online, so come
and join us on the path to immortality and supreme skill.
To read the latest guides, news, and features you can visit our Zu Online Game Page.