HanbitSoft’s MMORPG Neo-Steam: popular amongst gamers in China and Japan

MMORPG Neo-Steam from HanbitSoft is proving to be very popular amongst gamers in China and Japan, and its global service is set to begin with the Open Beta Test on the 20th of this month. Now let’s take a look at HanbitSoft’s aspirations for global domination with ‘Neo-Steam’.

HanbitSoft’s MMORPG Neo-Steam is commencing its global service with the Open Beta Test on the 20th of this month. Let’s take a close look at Neo-Steam, a game which is very popular in China and Japan for its unique story background.

Around the World in 89 Days, Laputa: Castle in the Sky and Future Boy Conan were the quintessential animations of the 70’s and 80’s. All of these animations were based on ‘Steampunk’ and Neo-Steam also has Steampunk as its story background. Here, Steampunk is a term derived from the term ‘Cyberpunk’, which depicts a future that changes from the influence of electronic/information technology, with the word ‘cyber’ replaced by ‘steam’ as in steam used in steam engines. The concept of Steampunk applied to this game has created the Neo-Steam system which is a limited resource, and the user can utilize the force called ‘Neo-Steam’ to progress through the story.

“Find Neo-Steam, the source of power!” - Neo-Steam is a liquid resource that emanates a blue light. It can only be created by converting the stones that only exist on the Roaf Island (PvP zone) and is also the reason why the two nations that appear in this game fight over Roaf Island. Also, when Neo-Steam is evaporated, it creates a powerful explosion which can be used as fuel to operate various machines. The player can strategically manage Neo-Steam to strengthen his/her character through level-ups and combinations of useful items.

How is Neo-Steam used in the game? Neo-Steam is used as fuel for rides such as steam balloons and steam riders. It is supplied to a steam tank once a day and can be used to give the player powerful attack ability through the steam machine.

Because only a limited amount of Neo-Steam is supplied in a day, it is important that the player utilizes it effectively. A machine ability can be used if the steam machine is equipped. Although a machine ability provides attach power stronger than other skills, it cannot be used continuously as it has an ‘overheat’ time and Neo-Steam Recovery should be used most cautiously as it can only be used once a day. The player will need to take all aspects of Neo-Steam usage as it is also used for rides and production.

Select a character and enter the world of Neo-Steam - Before selecting a character, the player must choose from the Republic of Rogwel with a highly developed mechanical culture and the Elerd Kingdom which worships the light and the magical gold dragon. Different graphics and music are used for each of these two nations to suit their different cultural backgrounds. For example, music with a fast beat and melodies suitable for the theme of Steampunk is used for the Republic of Rogwel to increase the player’s absorption into the game. For the Elerd Kingdom, mysterious yet sophisticated music appropriate for the world of Steampunk is used.

The player can select up to 8 types of occupation according to the nation of his/her choice. The 8 types of occupation are divided into combat and supporting roles. Neo-Steam has distinctively different races. There are 4 types of races: human, elf, foam and beast. The humans have an advantage when dealing with NPC merchants and additional gold can be acquired after hunting foam. The elves have an advantage of not being pre-emptive attacked by their enemies. The foam have an advantage of being able to equip more items than the other races, and the beasts can move faster than the other races. Of course, all of these characteristics are acquired through level-ups.

Through these individual characteristics, the players can select and use characters that suit their own characters. In order to upgrade your level fast, a character that has ability to summon will be needed.

Moreover, each character has a pet from the start of the game. These pets play a wide range of roles including giving advice during game play, assisting combat and recovering health. The players will enjoy the company of these cute pets which have a growth system that will add to the fun of the game.

Develop your character and compete against other players - One of the traits of online games is that the characters of the players are reflected in game play. As well as the age group, manner and ability of the players which shape game play, a player system created by the players themselves is of importance.

Needless to say, Neo-Steam is filled with a variety of battlegrounds that will engage the players. It utilizes a PVP system. A PVP zone is a system which allows battles between players and players will not lose their experience level during PVP situation but acquire soul crystals instead. The soul crystal acquired in this manner is used to complete the quests given by the NPC.

An example of a PVP zone is the Rear Land, an outlaw land outside the Roaf Island and sovereignty of the two nations. Additionally, a battle where the steam core is fought over, PVP gamers group of action games between the 2 nations to select the best player through PVP at special times and siege warfare to claim the steam core owned by the 2 nations take place repeatedly.

High-quality but the battle system fails to differ - Neo-Steam, which has intensively utilized the concept of Steampunk, is showing high quality overall. The quality of the graphics texture may be somewhat regrettable but a sense of distance is given through the blur processing, and despite the texture quality being relatively lower than other games of recent times, the graphics concept is making up for this shortcoming.

However, the battle system fails to differ from other games on the market, and the interface and balance could do with improvement. Through continuous development of its meritorious characteristics and improvements in its weaknesses, Neo-Steam will be able to take the lead in the fierce competition between MMORPGs armed by its unique game concept.

For client download and further details of Neo-Steam Global, go to the official homepage of Neo-Steam Global (www.neosteam.com). Client download is also available on Game & Game, the global service platform site of Korea IT Industry Promotion Agency (www.gamengame.com); Mmosite, a foreign site on games; Gamershell; Atomicgamer and Cgenetwork.

Baby with 2 faces born in North India has craniofacial duplication

The baby that was born in North India with two faces suffers with the rare illness called craniofacial duplication, according to doctors the child is doing well. The baby named Lali is now 1-month old and has been worshipped as some sort of reincarnation of a Hindu goddess.

Baby Lali has two faces which means that she has two pairs of eyes, two pairs of lips and also two noses. When it comes to feeding the parents use both mouths. Lali also opens and shuts her four eyes all at the same time.

According to doctors, Lali is suffering from the rare illness called craniofacial duplication, this means that a single head will have two faces.

Source – USA Today via Weird Things

Cool MiniGod speakers: worship the sound

Check out these cool looking MiniGod speakers, just looking at them makes you want to worship the sound. However I notice that the speakers require a 9V battery, you have to wonder how great the sound will be.

I have to say though, who care about the sound as the MiniGod speakers really do look great. However there is one thing that I am not convinced with, and that is the $120 price tag.

Source MiniGod via Slippery Brick

Last 30 News & Products: 03-12-2008

MySpace Celebrity: online celebrity mag

If you can’t wait for that celebrity gossip then you are going to love the new MySpace Celebrity.

MySpace Celebrity is a US-driven site rather Read more

First Look: Sam Rockwell In Choke

The first picture of Sam Rockwell as Victor from the set of Choke has been posted online. The film is based on the Chuck Palahniuk novel and directed by Clark Gregg. The movie tells the story of Victor, a man who pays for his sick mother’s medical bills by Read more

Rows Over Religious Themes In The Golden Compass

Last night saw the UK premiere of The Golden Compass starring Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman despite fears that it would be tarred with the controversy which plagued the US premiere. The Golden Compass features key religious themes, which were Read more

Jehovah’s Witness Emma Gough Died After Refusing Blood Transfusion

Friends of Emma Gough where told last night how the devout Jehovah’s Witness cuddled her newborn twins then died just hours later after refusing a blood transfusion.

Emma who was just 22 whose life could Read more

Gordon Brown Calls UN Security Council Meeting As Protester In Burma Is Shot Dead

Gordon Brown has called an emergency UN security council meeting this afternoon to discuss the growing problem in Burma as reports have suggested at least one protester has been killed.

Talking about the situation in Burma, Prime Minister Brown said Read more

Greek Mother Earth: Goddess serves as a fertility deity

The words Greek Mother Earth what does this mean? Well to cut a long story short and trust me it can be a long story and by the time I finish you will something of history. Portrayed as the Earth Mother which is that of a mother goddess, this goddess in fact serves has a Read more

Death toll rises in Peru earthquake: pacific tsunami warning cancelled

An earthquake that had a magnitude of 7.9 has so far killed 72 people in Peru, and another 680 were injured. Originally the pacific tsunami warning center issued a tsunami warning for Read more

kernal rehobson dies in Missouri Micronesian first congregational church shooting

Rev. Kernal Rehobson, 44 who led a group of Micronesians for around 15 years and of which ran a Micronesian store out of his house in Goodman was one of the victims to die in the church shooting, a gunman opened fire in the sanctuary of a southwest Missouri church Sunday and Read more

Neosho Mo: today a gunman kills three people in a southwest Missouri church

NEOSHO, Mo sees a place of sanctuary turned into a blood bath, a southwest Missouri church today saw a gunman open fire and kill three people.

The gunman surrendered eventually after holding 25 to 50 people hostage for a brief amount of time Read more