Ten Ton Hammer - Taking MMO Gamers to the Next Level!

Dave Clarke: The World of Kung Fu is a MMORPG based on stories and mythology of Ancient China.  There have been a few games released recently that are similar, but this one is actually made in China by people who grew up hearing these stories, which we feel adds a layer of authenticity to the game.  One of the main concepts of this game is the ability to create a “Wulin”, or traditional Chinese Kung Fu society.  

In most games, when you begin, you have to pick a faction or a side to begin on.  In WoKF, you can change your allegiances however and whenever you want, because “factions” in our game are based on Kung Fu schools and countries.  This adds a new level of depth to a multiplayer world.  Also, the “classes” in the game are based upon techniques using traditional kung fu weapons, so it’s a nice change from the elves and dwarves of most other RPGs.  And it’s free to play!

Clarke: With World of Kung Fu, one of the first things you notice is that it’s a graphically well designed game.  It looks more like a game you would buy than a standard free-to-play game.  That in itself helps it to stand out.  We’ve also been trying to give the best customer support that we can.  Many of these other imported MMO’s offer very little support, but in WoKF, you’ll actually see GMs online and in game 24 hours a day ready to assist you.  Our GMs and Game Sage support staff are great, and we actually participate in the game community, not just sit on the sidelines and observe.  

There are a lot of other great features in the game, one of my upcoming favorites it that actual players can become the King of the various countries in the game and control that country and decide if it will go to war, etc.  I think that the level of player involvement in the game world above the normal quest and grind is what will draw players to this game.  We also run a lot of special events, some requested and devised by players, to give a better sense of community and to keep it interesting.

Clarke: In Open Beta we’re really looking for suggestions from players about what can make the game better.  It’s very successful in China, but American players have different ideas of game play, so we try to cater to that as best we can.  We have a very active forum and suggestions are taken seriously.  Many of the player suggestions from our Closed Beta were incorporated in to the Open Beta, and honestly, I was surprised to see that players were amazed that we actually listened to what they had to say and did something about it.

As for improving and polishing the game, we see this as an ongoing process!  There is always room for improvement, and we plan on doing it.

Clarke: There are 9 different “classes” in the game, based on traditional Chinese Kung Fu weapons:  Spears, Broadswords, Fans, Staves, Hooks, Swords, Bows, Hammers/Axes, and Fists.  Each one has different play styles.  For example, Fan users are the healing class in the game.  Another cool feature that’s coming up is that players can get married and have children.  The children will become an actual player character that has skill sets from both parents, so players will be able to have “hybrid” classes.

Advancement in the game is pretty straight forward.  You can gain experience and levels by completing quests and killing, but there are also other avenues of advancement based on reputation in different fields in the game.  Another feature of the game that helps with leveling is that you gain more experience if you play together.  Team based play offers better opportunities to level, and special systems allow for players with special relationships to have unique abilities to aid in this.

Clarke: Of course!  There are many different paths in WoKF.  Players can craft food, medicine, weapons, armor, fashion clothes and many other things.  I think the big difference here is that players gain reputation for all of these things, and that reputation allows players to create better and better items the higher their reputation is.  You can forge your weapons and armor to give bonuses, and there is a refining system that allows for creation of special items that only skilled players can make.

Clarke: There is a good amount of PvP available in the game, especially with the School battle and Country battle systems, but there is also a good amount of PvE combat as well.

I suppose it depends on your play style.  We’re trying to make the game world accessible to everyone and how they like to play.

Clarke: The World of Kung Fu was designed to be a fantasy world, but we wanted to make it believable and fun at the same time.  So yes, I think that’s a true statement.  Part of the reason why the game was designed like this is because it is made in China.  I’m sure you’ve seen some Kung Fu movies.  Realism and fantasy with a bit of silliness thrown in.  I think that actually sums it up nicely.

Clarke: WoKF was developed by Tengren in China, and it’s been in the works for a few years.  We’ve been localizing the game for just under a year.  The full title release should be in a few months once we catch up the localization process with the current Chinese version.

Clarke: Yes.  WoKF was designed to be a free-to-play game and it uses the Item Mall concept to offer items that help in gameplay.  We like this concept, because it gives players the power to decide if they want to spend any money.  You don’t need to buy a $50 game at the store and then pay $15 a month to play.  You just download, and within minutes, you’re playing the game.  

Clarke: Come check the game out!

Have you had an opportunity to play World of Kung Fu? If so, what did you think of the game? Let us know on the forums!