A few weeks back, I reported that Perfect World Beijing has just announced its latest MMO, Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber Online. This comes after the yet to be released Swordsman Online, both MMOs originating from famed martial arts novelist, Jin Yong (or Louis Cha). Just a few hours ago, the first official trailer for Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber Online was released, along with the teaser website. You can read more about the novel’s plot and storyline here. Below is the first official trailer of the game, even though it shows nothing much =X
In my previous post, I previewed much of the game’s initial features, and the teaser website did not exactly gave away much new information. There will be cross-server Player Vs Player (PvP), a mainstay in all Perfect World games now. There will also be a total of 3 factions, 12 clans for players to choose from.
It is kind of hard for me to translate the names of the 3 factions (and the clans too), but the first faction, roughly translated as Heaven’s Will, will consist of the “goody two shoes” clans, including Quan Zhen, Shaolin, Er Mei and Wudang.
The second faction, roughly translated as… I don’t know, Anti Heaven? Anyway, this faction consists of the supposed baddie clans (I use “supposed” as in the martial arts world, there are goodies in evil clans too), including Ming Clan, Five Poison Sect, Xiao Yao Sect and Eagle Clan.
Finally, the third faction. Unofficially saying, the clans in this faction side neither the good nor evil, but clans like the Beggar Clan do side more to the goodies. The clans include Gu Mu (ancient tomb sect, the sect where Dragon Girl from Return of the Condor Heroes is from), Mount Hua Sect (where the protagonist in Swordsman Online comes from), Kunlun Sect and of course, the famed Beggar Clan.
An interesting note, only 2 of Jin Yong’s novels are yet been officially made into MMORPGs: Legend of the Condor Heroes and Return of the Condor Heroes. Will Perfect World be silently be merging these 2 titles (they are prequel and sequel) into yet another martial arts MMO? Well, this is the rumor currently circling through the Chinese gaming community. Personally, I wouldn’t bet against it.
Beijing China (December 3, 2010) – Perfect World Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: PWRD) (“Perfect World” or the “Company”), a leading online game developer and operator based in China, today announced the introduction of a new martial arts MMORPG, “Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber.”
Adapted from Louis Cha’s acclaimed novel of the same name, the game will immerse players in a virtual realm of martial arts fighting. Players can choose from three different factions and experience dynamic, life-like combat in five unique fighting modes. Players can also choose their own way to play and enjoy different gaming experiences.
“Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber” runs on Perfect World’s proprietary EPARCH engine, delivering more vivid graphics with finer details and an overall more sophisticated visual effect. In addition, the game incorporates the Company’s “AX” system, a new server technology that enhances gamers’ interaction between different servers.
Mr. Michael Chi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Perfect World, commented, “Our upcoming martial arts MMORPG, ‘Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber,’ is a solid addition to our diversified game portfolio. Over the years we have been committed to developing new games in a wide range of genres, to satisfy the varied tastes of different players. We believe ‘Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber’ will be a great MMOPRG, creating a wonderful world of martial arts for our players.”
