Season 4 Project Plan

There are still lots of new and exciting updates rolling for Season 4. The company have been working on their 5th anniversary project for this year. Most of the contents have already been released, while the rest will be coming in later. With all of these new features, we can consider this to be Season 4.5. With that said, Season 5 is still in production, but who knows much of it is completed.

The 5th anniversary project has been revealed for some time on 4gamers site in Japan. Korea hasn't spoken every details about the project, but it looks like some of Korea's contents that are about to release are not in the 5th anniversary reports at all. It looks like the content releases are about halfway done that they have been releasing one by one. Let's take a look on how much their project has accomplished so far. Some contents listed below has been released on major Pangya servers such as Thailand, Japan, and Korea.


Eastern Valley
KR: Released
JP: Released
TH: Released

The new 16th course was hoping to add more variety of courses where regular players can play. However, the new course wasn't enough to satisfy a majority of players so it's currently back to the boring Blue Lagoon and Ice Spa tournaments again on Korea.


Natural Server
KR: Released
JP: Released
TH: Released

Another content that doesn't have much hype either. This was suppose to be made for players who never take the time to learn or do simple arithmetic. The problem is that most of the people regardless if they know how to play the game or not doesn't like to randomly shoot the ball around aimlessly. This server might be great for small events, but the simplest way to describe this new server is that playing real life golf. And that takes the "fantasy" golf sensation away from Pangya.


Title System
KR: Released
JP: Released
TH: Released

This is nothing more than bragging rights. Each titles have certain requirements that you must have in order to purchase them. The logo will be displayed on top of your level rank. Proud to be the highest level in your server, well this will take the fun away from it.


Cut-In System
KR: Released
JP: Released
TH: Released

A Marvel vs Capcom moment. Each dramatic thing you do will show a quick portrait of your Character before it commences. Right now there are only a handful of these cut-ins, but more are on the way in the near future.


Rental System
KR: Released
JP: N/A
TH: N/A

This is probably the most controversial move on Pangya KR alone. Being able to rent any cookie outfits (excluding seasonal, clothes package, devil wings, and motion item) with pang alone. Sure you can only rent for 7 days, but it's better than buying it with cookies. It may disappoint a lot of players who already bought a ton of cookie outfits that they wished they didn't pay for. Save those for more important things like Mascot rentals, auto-calipers, or maybe even a few card packs or two.

[no related image about this sorry]
Recycle System
KR: N/A
JP: N/A
TH: N/A

If all those worthless items doesn't mean anything to you, then you can recycle and clean up your area and get something in return. Nothing much has been said about this feature except this was first heard from Pangya JPN. As for Korea or any other server, I haven't heard anything about it yet, unless this plan was scraped and replaced with the Rental system.


Tournament Award
KR: N/A
JP: N/A
TH: N/A

By receiving rewards in the tournament, you will be able to use it for something. In Cadie's Magic Box, you can exchange your earnings for prizes.


Wacky Chatroom Mode
KR: N/A
JP: N/A
TH: N/A

Make your Characters even flashier in the chatroom area. Big head mode, sparkle, or turbo mode. These are earned from rewards by playing the game.


Playable Caddies
KR: N/A
JP: N/A
TH: N/A

Ever wondered if you can play Caddies just like in the PSP version? Well it looks like that wish may come true. Not only caddies may see some light, but also there are caddie upgrades to give them a boost on their caddy stats.


Open Tournament
KR: N/A
JP: N/A
TH: N/A

Tournament will become even more competitive than before. You will earn ranks by competing against players with the same type as you. Each area will designate you to your proper group on Pangya island.


Eye Color
KR: N/A
JP: N/A
TH: N/A

Eye color change will be added to match your setup or your hair color.


Boss Mode
KR: N/A
JP: N/A
TH: N/A

Boss battle mode where players must compete in the course and fill up that gauge to full as shown on the picture above.


Special Shuffle Course
KR: N/A
JP: N/A
TH: N/A

This new tournament mode will play on different courses and holes throughout the entire round. A very special hole in a moon-like course will take place to add more surprises to this new mode.

Pangya KR CBT Preview

I apologize for giving this news on short notice. I've been busy with the Christmas holiday and so forth as my excuse. I've read about Pangya KR doing some short beta sessions once in awhile to test some new contents and modes. The first and second beta test wasn't anything special going on so I didn't talk about it. But the third beta had some interesting stuff that was worth trying out. Card pack #2, special shuffle chaos mode, caddy upgrades, and much more. In order to participate, you must install a different client located on their site that is connected to the closed-beta server. You can use your normal account to get in. Anything you do in beta will not affect on the main server and you will have 10,000,000 pang and 5,000 cookies to test with.

Sadly, I had just found out too late about the third beta announcement so I never had a chance to write a report about it before it happened. The time zone difference was excruciating to me since it was going to start at 3AM in the morning for me. On top of that, the server was not stabled when it had opened and my eyelids were growing heavy. So I really didn't get to do much since I wanted to see whatever it had to offer and head to bed for my 4 hour of sleep for today.

So here is my sneak peek look on Pangya KR future contents from what I've gathered in such a short period of time.

=============================

Testing #1) Card Pack Volume 2


*Please note that translation could be off, and these are subject to change before official release

Finally another card pack has been released. These new additions will certainly help tremendously on your game. Some old card effects have returned along with some old effects from volume 1 have been made adjusted to have effects almost like it. Then we have cards that got an upgrade from volume 1 release, and some never before seen cards added to spice up a new direction of how you play.

Now to talk about some card effects that you may have in question.

Titanboo (Caddy) (SC) (Vol2)
I knew they were going to release this card soon. But the effect description clearly looks like it'll be -2m on everything. However, it has been toned down a bit that you will receive that effect on certain occasion. Winds of 1~5m will take -1m wind while 6~9m winds will take -2m off. I'm not complaining about the toned down effect since I wouldn't want it to be too powerful. This card will also make it where elfin ears will hardly have any value left, let alone using ears with this card combined is not worth it.

Titanboo (Caddy) (N) (Vol2)
I believe it states that any 9m winds you receive will be lowered. Since it's a small effect, it'll probably be -1m wind. With this card equipped you'll never see 9m ever again. This is a good card for those who can't afford expensive cards, and also hate 9m winds. (like me)

Dolfini (Caddy) (N) (R) (Vol2)
You will receive special bonus pang when you make a shot. Sorta of like a Victoria mask. I never had a chance to see how much you get from it, but I would guess you get 1 bonus pang on the normal card and 2 bonus pang on the rare card.

Nuri (Character) (SR) (Vol2)
At first glance it looks like it does what you see, but it's actually given differently than you expect. It's Controlslot+2, Spinslot+1, and -2 yards. You can have a crazy amount of control with this card, but your distance will be subtracted where it's basically like a regular control+1 effect. This card could confuse you if you equip multiples of it so be sure you know what your total distance is with your main power stats and the yard subtraction part in mind.

Mystery (Special) (N) (Vol2)
So... yeah... the effect is absolutely blank. So it does nothing? The name of this card is called broken pieces something. So do we have yet another one of those mystery stuff to pile up with the unknown seasonal cogs now? It's a common card so I hope they didn't include this card just so you have more chance to pull this useless card, unless it does do something. In beta, I tried activating it, but the window confirmation didn't even pop up


=============================

Testing #2) Caddy Upgrade


I'm not exactly sure what this is, but it looks like you can boost your Caddie's stats even greater than before. You click on the icon and give em' a boost.


This pop-up shows what additions will be made when you do a Caddy Upgrade. This shows what will be added, not replaced. So in this case, Quma will receive +2 control if I choose to accept.


Now Quma not only has his normal +2 Curve, but also has the added +2 Control as well. Quma will replace Cadie now? I think it's bugged to me so I can't say for sure this new caddy upgrade will be absolute just yet. But do note that caddy upgrades are there and will give more stat bonuses if needed.

It looks like Caddy cost and re-hire fees are more expensive too. Like Cadie's rehire fee used to be 12,000 pang, and now it's 40,000 pang. Could be beta error though.

=============================

Testing #3) Special Shuffle Course


The purple background color indicates that you are in Special Shuffle Course room. It's treated like a normal tournament with time limits and everything. You can start with 10 players too as it'll fill up.


SSC (Special Shuffle Course) is a new mode that you play in a tournament with a mixed of all the courses and holes played out in a single round.


On one hole you might be in West Wiz, and the next hole you are in Lost Seaway. This will continue on through the rest of the 18 hole round. The blue colors give the new mode a different look.


In an 18 hole round, there will be one special hole in there where you are located on a moon like course. It's a special hole where all you need is one shot to either chip or land on the green. Freaky.

=============================

Testing #4) Big Head Mode?!



Big head mode?! I never read anything about this feature so I never looked into this, but it looks like you can create funny things in the Player shop room. They should make a Big Bosom mode too. Epic win. : )

=============================

Testing #5) Tournament Coins



It looks like you will get something for winning badges in the tournament after all. In Cadie's Magic Box, you can exchange them for a prize. I like this new idea and I hope they evolve this further to encourage players to play their best in the tournament.

=============================

Testing #6) Sneak Peek Contents

There's more into their closed-beta contents then seeing it in the game. I checked the contents and it looks like they are planning to release some new Gametree products in the Pangya world.


So here we have Hangame Baseball Bat and Aztec Ball


So the PC Bang mascot will be replaced with this one?


The currency title will change from cookies to Hangame for future collaboration.

=============================

Testing #7) Final Word

Alright that should conclude my report of today's closed-beta play through. I covered basically all I saw in one hour with the inclusion of server lag to deal with. I do not know if they will report a fourth beta test or not, but I'll be sure to post about it if I see it coming. But I don't think there will be anymore since a GM spoke in the lobby about implementing these stuff on December 3rd next week. If so, I may have to start back playing Pangya once again that I haven't touched in over three weeks already.

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Alicia by Ntreev

Gametree (aka Ntreev KR) has been working on a particular project that I've been looking at for awhile. While it was still in development at the time, it was called "Project Alice" and they have been working on this game for around four years. So now they released a teaser site displaying their upcoming game on their site called, My horse story: Alicia.


Alicia is your typical adventure/racing game played on horseback. In addition you get to fight fantasy creatures while riding, explore vibrant lands, and race through dangerous courses. The producer in charge of this project has said that they wanted this game to be a fun and fulfilling horse adventure game while gazing the surrounding nature to bring the realistic feel to their players. They have worked hard to make every movement and background look very natural as well. This is more than just a horse racing game, you can breed and train horses, and as well as team up with your friends to battle against fantasy monsters while horse riding. Players will enjoy with more interaction in the race such as jumping, boosting, power-ups, and flying!


Looking at the illustrations of this game, any Pangya or Trickster players will be familiarize by SeeDark's wonderful work of art that he puts life into his drawings. However during the project, he has already passed away due to illness. In the process, another illustrator who does drawings for games such as Pangya will be taking over his place. Ntreev (Gametree) is well known for their distinctive feel of art that players who enjoyed the art style of Gametree's other game would want to check Alicia out.


I don't know why, but after watching the trailer and seeing all the hype from Korean players, I want to try this game out too. Luckily it's made Gametree.kr so I can use my account from PangyaKR and log into this game without having to sign up. I've never played any racing MMO before except for Kart rider, but that was for a little bit. You better believe it that I'm going to check this game out for sure. I don't think I'll spend much time on it like I did with Pangya, but it's nice to have another online game that you can relax and enjoy the beautiful graphics that Alicia has to offer.


There's no word upon an official release, but they expect to announce beta plans any time now. Their official site is located here: http://alicia.gametree.co.kr. Let it load long enough and you can hear a glimpse of the game's main theme done vocally too. I can tell they put a lot of effort into making this game. I'm probably just like you that I don't care about horses, but the art style of this game is what drives me into wanting to play this game when beta comes out.


Since I have lots of free time today because of the holiday, I thought I would take the time to post up about Gametree's upcoming title. I'm hoping to look more into this game, and maybe sparked some interest to you as well. Happy Thanksgiving.

KR & US Update (11-24-09)

Server Maintenance
KST: 11/24 8:00 AM ~ 11/24 6:00 PM
EST: 11/23 6:00 PM ~ 11/24 4:00 AM

Content Updates
1) Title System
- A new way to display your achievements

2) New Registration Aid
- Newcomers will receive a small boost

3) Costume Rental System
- Try on outfits for a limited time

4) 39th Scratch Set
- Ultimate Ring & Rose Knight Lucia

5) Special Bundle Sale
- Time Booster & Auto-Calipers sale

---

1) Title System

● Information
Titles are like achievements. Each title badge has certain requirements you have to meet in order to purchase and display it next to your name. These badges will overlap on top of your level logo so the only way to see someone's level is to check their info.

This is a nifty feature, but it does take the gratification away of displaying your high rank since the badges are colorful and more style. All the titles released in this update are listed below. There will be more titles to come in the near future too. I still like my old platinum frontier badge, but I'm going to use the Pangya shot title because I am proud of my 96.3% rate.


Pangya Shot
Prerequisite: Pangya shot rate must be 70% or higher
Cost: 50,000 PP


Straight Road
Prerequisite: Fairway rate must be 70% or higher
Cost: 50,000 PP


Green Master
Prerequisite: Putt rate must be 80% or higher
Cost: 50,000 PP


Course Master
Prerequisite: Played 18 holes on all courses
Cost: 10,000 PP


Angel Manner
Prerequisite: Quit rate must be below 3%
Cost: 10,000 PP


GOLD
Prerequisite: Earned 10 gold trophies or more
Cost: 100,000 PP


SILVER
Prerequisite: Earned 10 silver trophies or more
Cost: 50,000 PP


BRONZE
Prerequisite: Earned 10 bronze trophies or more
Cost: 10,000 PP

● Notice
- If you already meet the prerequisite before this system was implemented, then you don't have to complete them again.
- Players who had the Frontier or any previous badges will be stored in the title tab section in your "My Room" instead of the setting tab like before.

=================================

2) New Registration Aid

● Information

Air knight club will be updated to have Power and Control raised up by 2 points while Accuracy is raised up by 3 points. The Necklace of Good Fortune will last to Beginner A instead of Rookie A. When creating a new account, you will receive more stuff that you can see on the picture above.

● Notice
- Only new registrations after this update will receive these starter kit benefits.
- The Air knight club and Necklace of good fortune takes effect automatically.

=================================

3) Costume Rental System

● Information

If you can't afford or buy cookie items for your favorite Character in the shop, you can rent it instead for a limited time. Available for every Character, you can rent any types of cookies outfits or accessories. It will last for 7 days upon purchase and it costs pang. Yes, Pang. There's absolutely nothing downsized either. It'll have card slots, full stats effect, but it's just available to you for 7 days long until you want to rent it again in your inventory.


This is probably the most shocking and unusual update I've ever seen in awhile. The rented items doesn't cost that much pang either if you play the game regularly or if you are a skilled chip-in player. I do wished I knew about this system way before I bought some cookie outfits because I wanted to wear a new setup. The rental system is an excellent content where you can spend your cookies on other things besides outfits now. Now how about releasing some new permanent outfits for once?



● Notice
- You heard it right, you can rent Character's cookie outfits for pangs only
- Cannot rent motion items.
- You can attach cards to rented items.
- Event outfits will not be available to rent.
- 7 days is the only time limit available to rent.
- Level restriction is the same as the regular cookie outfits.
- Once expires, you can choose to delete or rehire again.
- Cards attached to expired outfits has to be extracted with vials.
- If you delete rental outfits with cards inside, card will be gone forever.

=================================

4) 39th Scratch Set

● Information

Need I say more about this? Pangya US already released it on their server so I suppose while Korea made this, they might as well make something out of it on their own server too. It's another set worth skipping for me yet again.

● Notice
- Eon (US) and Ultimate (KR) Ring does the same exact thing
- Instead of 3 color choices, they are limited down to blue and red color in Cadie's Magic Box.

=================================

5) Special Box Sale

● Information

Time Boosters
30 Cookies: 900 + 45 = 945
50 Cookies: 1500 + 150 = 1650
100 Cookies: 3000 + 750 = 3750

Auto-Calipers
30 Cookies: 660 + 33 = 693
50 Cookies: 1100 + 110 = 1210
100 Cookies: 2200 + 550 = 2750

● Notice
- On sale until December 2nd.

=================================

Other Notices

The title system, new registration gift, and costume rental system were meant to be released last Thursday, but they had some difficulties to release it at that time. This update marks the end of the sneak peek contents the GM posted awhile back that I mentioned on this post.

Players who funded cookies on their accounts to get free Cat items such as the Aztec ball and clubs is over now. Items will be distributed to these players after next week's server maintenance.




Server Maintenance
PST: 11/24 9:00 PM ~ 11/25 2:20 AM
EST: 11/25 12:00 AM ~ 11/25 5:20 AM

Content Updates
1) New Scratchy Set
- 4th Scratchy Rare

2) Black Friday Sale
- PJ + Nitro Pang Mastery Box Set

---

1) New Scratchy Set

● Information

So far they have released Elfin Ears, Magical Outfits, and Wedding dresses. Today, they have introduced a new Animal set for Kooh. So this makes 4 complete sets that we know for sure that will be released later on.

It's an early update this week due to Thanksgiving holidays, but there's nothing much to say about today's update. It's neither good or bad, it just depends if this set is for Characters that you like and use. I'm no fan of Cecilia, and I already own Kooh's Animal set. So that leaves with Arin and her wedding outfit that I may try for now or later.

● Notice
- Looks like another set that you can't trade to other players. Enjoy having duplicate animal set for Kooh.

=================================

2) Black Friday Sale

● Information

PST: 11/27 10:00 AM ~ 11/27 10:00 PM
EST: 11/27 1:00 PM ~ 11/28 1:00 AM

Well this is a surprise, but what's not surprising is that it's going to cost your Christmas money on this sale. These Pajamas outfits were available to gamble in the lottery system from the other servers, but Pangya US will make it available to buy in the shop for a 12 hour time period on Friday.

However, you must buy the entire package set for each Characters so you cannot buy each parts separately. Each Pajama package will also come with a set of Nitro Pang Mastery to boost your pang amount that is not important on this server. The biggest question is how much these PJ packages are going to cost. If it's really a Black Friday sale, then the price should be reasonable. If it's not, then the Nitro Pang Mastery bundled with the set will be an excuse why the price is high. So we must wait until Friday and see if the special sale is a hit or a miss.

PJ Picture: 1 2 3
Here are what the PJs will look like that are already released on the old servers. I do not know if Pangya US are going to release all the Pajamas including Lucia in there, but I wouldn't see why not. My highest recommendation is Kooh's Pajama set. Her PJ is a special case where you can change in Cadie's Cauldron into a complete different look while some of the other Pajamas would only change the color or texture on it. Two more pajamas that I could recommend is Lucia and Arin's white PJ. Do not get confused since Arin has two PJ sets. The reason why I like her white PJ than her other one is because you can see her bra. (//▽//)



● Notice
- Nitro Pang Mastery will give you x4 amount of pang
- Some of these Pajamas can be changed in Cadie's Cauldron if available
- Some PJ can transform to a whole different look in Cadie's Cauldron if available (ex. Kooh)


EDIT After Black Friday Sale:
We finally got confirmation that it costs $20 for each set including x50 Nitro Pang Mastery. The price in my opinion is moderately high, but it may have been reasonable if there was an option to change the colors on them. I was really excited for US players to get a chance to get Kooh's PJ because in Cadie's Cauldron it's basically like having two full sets all in one. For $20, it would be an incredibility good deal if they would have thought of adding the PJs to the cauldron.

I have to say this Black Friday sale could have been better. At least if I were them, I would have set the prices on each PJ set independently. You know especially what example I'm going to use that doesn't fit the price, Cecilia. Just a top, bottom, shoe, w/Nitro Pang Mastery for $20. That doesn't sound reasonable at all. All I can say is whoever was in charge of this plan should have think about the most important time of the year, Christmas. I highly doubt players are going to fork over at least $40 of their Christmas money easily when they can use it to buy presents for their friends and family. Right now I don't have money, I'm actually selling stuff on eBay so I can have money to buy Christmas gifts with.

The sale would have been sucessful if they set the prices differently to make each sets reasonable, and made the alterations available in Cadie's Cauldron. If they would have done those two things, I probably would have bought Kooh and Lucia's PJ. I don't like Kooh's default PJ, and Lucia's pink color PJ. Since those two is not going to be available to change to my favorite piece then I'm not interested in buying. And that's why the Black Friday Sale could have been better.

EDIT
11-25 1:09 PM: Black Friday Sale Post
11-25 7:56 PM: Added PJ Box + exotic PJ picture
11-26 8:45 PM: Discussion about official Black Friday Sale

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