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WOK SPECIES - two steps into the future (read all)

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 12:34 pm
by gm_al
Here it is - the major announcement for the latest WOK game.

First of all I must say that I am very proud to be able to work with the current dev team, namely Rune, Chris, Kermit, GH, Smashie and Moridin. Especially Rune and Chris have provided most valuable work that cannot be applauded too much.

And now it all begins to pay off.

We are currently running extensive games in our test jungle, and because things are getting more stable we look to be offering you all a first public beta as early as NEXT WEEK (!!). There will still be bugs and functions that arent fully implemented, as well as balancing issues that we can only make out by mass-testing it with you. We may need to reset games or tweak numbers while playing, but still I promise you will all have a lot of fun, fun, fun ! Of course the beta tests will in no way award any VPs or rating, but rather be a first glance on how things run in a game with up to 50 Players. Beta is open to any WOK Player, including the dev team.

If possible WOK SP will already be connected to an early version of the new KaoBase V2 to allow Players to login and send messages to following competitors etc. WOK SP does not necessarily need a GM to run, but nevertheless we look to have GMs that will moderate future games, comment them and are able to customize some areas of the game engine.

Does it get any better ?
Yes. Much better in fact. I am here today to announce I was able to interest my company (Siemens) in the whole WOK SP concept, so much in fact that I managed to get a contract that will allow us to bring a MOBILE version of WOK SP to the market. It means nothing less then mobile providers (ie. T-Mobile) will offer WOK SP as a Java-based game for worldwide download (!!) as early as in late 2004.
It also means that for the first time you will all be able to get a commercial version of a WOK game, and one that you can play through your mobile phone against people from all over the world !

Is this the end of the free WOK games ?
NO. All WOK games, including WOK SP, will remain free to play on the internet or through mail. Nothing will change there. Making a mobile version of the new WOK game is just a commercial extension. In fact we hope to be able to reach a totally new public with WOK SP mobile, and such a broad public can only bring more players towards the internet games. It also means that the main developers get to see some financial revenue from sales of the mobile WOK SP and this will hopefully allow us to bring you even more WOK games in the future (free games and some commercial ones, ie. my long-dreamed WOK boardgame)

Now talk about a major announcement ! :P

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 12:47 pm
by Egbert
Congrats Al! :D It sounds very exciting!
Btw, if the game is free, how is Siemens going to make money?

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 12:50 pm
by Saladin
Congratulations Al (and the other developers)!!!

A commercial succes would not only be good for you, but the WoK community will also profit greatly from all the extra exposure!

WELL DONE! :D

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 1:10 pm
by Brykovian
Congrats Al ... The Siemens deal is nothin' but cool! :D

Cheers,
-Bryk

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 1:13 pm
by gm_al
The money is generated all through the sales.

You pay around $4 to get the game client on the mobile. The provider gets his share, then Siemens (who also will run the server with the games) and finally the dev team shares the rest.

Its not much, but we may talk about a large number of downloads....

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 3:22 pm
by Dameon
Good for you guys, this sounds like it's well on the right track! My programming skills are about non-existant but if you ever wanted to create a WOK boardgame I'd be happy to help AL, pretty much free of charge. Boardgames are about my favorite thing ever, which is one reason I am so attracted to WOK to begin with as it's kinda like an online boardgame really. 8) Good luck folks!

Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 6:08 pm
by Egbert
Al, I'm not so sure that attracting a huge number of new WOK players would be good for the community. If we had 1000s of players, we wouldn't be the small "everyone-knows-everyone" community any more, and the personalities of everyone would fade into the background --- no more WOK soap opera! :popcorn:

Will the fiendish Dameon carry out his latest scheme? :winkwink:

Or will X-Wing arrive in time to save the day? :angel:

Will Ecrivian ever get a VP? :(

What will happen next in the unbelievable fight between TK and Egbert? :argue:

What will "crazy inventor" Al think of this week? :crazy:

Who will Saladin anger this week? :shakin::

Has Calidus suffered a mental relapse? :army: (don't mention the war!)

What has become of Tbert and Duke? :scatter:

Will the Brotherhood of Vayuna recapture their title? :3dancers:

Find out next week, on "As the World (of Kaomaris) Turns"

I'm kidding about all of this, of course. :wink2:

Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 6:41 pm
by Saladin
Actually could any of the golden oldies enlighten me...

Has Egbert ever been in a really bad flamer?

If not i've found a new calling in life. :twisted:

Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 9:04 pm
by trewqh
Egbert wrote:Will the Brotherhood of Vayuna recapture their title? :3dancers:
Even though you're a Scholar, I don't think you are concerned by that. :P

Here's a tautology (right word? :P):
BoV plays in the Clan Champs, so they will win. :D

trewqh

Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 9:07 pm
by trewqh
Egbert wrote:Will the Brotherhood of Vayuna recapture their title? :3dancers:
And, please, notice the fact that you call it OUR title! :lol:

This is enough to know what you're talking about :D

trewqh

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 1:52 am
by Dameon
I doubt we'll ever get totally deluged with new players, even if this WOK Species thing is a success. I am sure it might attract a few more players, but traditionally we have had a small community and I think it's going to stay that way. You are right that the community getting too big would not be a good thing, but we could support a few more clans right now without straining our close-knitness (if that's a word!).

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 12:42 pm
by ThinKing
Egbert wrote:What will happen next in the unbelievable fight between TK and Egbert? :argue:
Speaking of which....

A 3-on-1 on turn one?!?


Wow. You must be VERY scared of me now Eg.

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 2:22 pm
by Donut
I'm just guessing but I don't think that Scared would be the word that I'd use. I would probably be more inclined to say
  • Pissed
    angry
    frustrated
    annoyed
    irritated
    fuming
    livid
    irate
    heated
    gnashing your teeth (don't ask, it came up in the thesaraus)
    enraged
    outraged
    infuriated
    or just plain mad.
:P

Donut