Gravity Co., Ltd., is a South Korean†multimedia company listed on the NASDAQ as “GRVY”–I can’t decide if it’s more fun to†pronounce their stock symbol as groovy or gravy. Anyway, their flagship product is Ragnarok Online, a hugely popular MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) based on Norse mythology. If you’ve never seen that†ungainly MMORPG acronym†before,†perhaps you’ve†heard†people talking about other multiplayer online games like World of Warcraft and City of Heroes.
It seems that ice hockey is the next online gaming venture for Gravity. Body Check Online has hit the Korean gaming market; according to Gravity, the game’s creators:
Body Check Online is the first online hockey game in futuristic settings. Rather than adopting the complex rules and fixed uniforms of real life ice hockey games, the game highlights upgraded equipments [sic] and daring actions based on crashing, smashing and speeding.”
Check out their hockey-meets-anime website; here’s desktop wallpaper†featuring male and female players wearing equipment that would make Don Cherry’s head explode.†They also boast Blade Runner-esque†artist’s conception drawings of “NYC Rink 1” and “NYC Rink 2“.
My impression is that the game is in the spirit of NFL Street, though with cyborg players and without any NHL licensing. In other words: simplified gameplay and rules, with an emphasis on big hits, blazing speed, and ludicrously muscled and armored players. Up to ten gamers can compete simultaneously, though Gravity recommends 3-on-3 as optimal.
It’s interesting to see a game like this pop up in South Korea–hardly a hockey hotbed. One would think Gravity plans to eventually expand Body Check Online to Japan’s rabid gaming market. I’d love to give it a†try, but I†wouldn’t hold your breath waiting for the game’s North American debut (a request for more information by OFB has gone unanswered).†Nonetheless, it’s pleasing to see the sport we love embraced in the Far East, even if in a dramaitcally modified and virtual†form.
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Nice unis!
How long till they get the RBK uni system? LOL
[…] Hockey Hits S. Korea
from On Frozen Blog, […]
[‚Ķ] On Frozen Blog’s got a great item up about a new hockey video game made in South Korea that involves “futuristic settings” and “highlights upgraded equipments [sic] and daring actions based on crashing, smashing and speeding.” [‚Ķ]
Good one Sparty — actually, these uniforms are the NEXT redesign for the NHL, scheduled for 2013 when Reebok loses the contract to Halliburton.
Here’s what I’ve been able to gather from my friend, who is pretty fluent in Japanese and found a JP site on the game:
-Currently the game is just starting Open Beta in South Korea. The 2nd stage of Closed Beta just wrapped up.
-They’re considering both an Asian/Japanese and North American release of the game, if it is popular enough in Korea to garner such consideration.
-The game is free. However you can buy items in-game which do cost money to buy. It’s much like games like Gunbound, if you’ve ever heard of that. If not, do a Google search, and you’ll see what I mean.
-The game will have both male and female characters. I guess this means we can make Paris Hilton female characters, and make her become the hockey player she never became as a Pee Wee?
-There’s typical MMORPG fanfare in terms of stats, such as character levels, various stats, and armor/helmet equipment.
-The goalie is always controlled by an AI; sorry, wannabe Marty Turcos and Patrick Roys … no goalie fisticuffs here.
Aaaand … that’s what I have so far.
Michael,
Outstanding work and many thanks for the in depth information. Thanks to your fluent Japanese speaking friend as well.
Cheers!
What happens when hockey meets South Korea? You guessed correctly; An anime style online video game. (On Frozen Blog)
Agreed, terrific follow-up Michael, glad to hear more info on what sounds like an intriguing game.
Nice blog, 5 out of 5 stars!
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