Since the ImmortalsMMO open beta started sign ups, over 30,000 new accounts have been created to take part. During this time, we have an opportunity to interview with Ginger Verguet, the community manager for ImmortalsMMO. She tells us more information about the ImmortalsMMO.

MMOsite: First off, can you basically introduce yourself? Currently, how are things going on with Immortals? What new content has been added since it announced open beta on August 3, 2007?

My name is Ginger Verguet and I go by the name of "Vryl"  I am the community manager for Immortals.  I was previously a journalist before making my way into the gaming industry several years ago.

Immortals is still in Open Beta quickly approaching launch.  We allowed ourselves extra time to prepare for launch by tweaking end-game quests, fixing bugs and basically giving it those final touches such as a new client interface, perfecting gameplay and focusing on a released product that has as few hiccups as possible.

In addition to a shiny new client interface, we have added more quests, high level content, revised the pet system and added an item mall which will soon include customized items.

MMOsite: Immortals is based on 5000 years of Chinese mythology.  What led you to import an oriental MMORPG?

Despite language barriers, HGI, the developers of Immortals, has proven to be a worthy partner and lives up to their name "Honor Games International" as a provider of quality gaming content rich in Chinese tradition.

Immortals is unlike many other games in the sense that it is based on ancient lore and mythology instead of a fabricated story found in a fiction novel.  For this reason New Game World was drawn to Immortals in hopes to offer the western gaming community a diverse and cultural role play experience.  One which would not only be fun and entertaining but rich in Chinese mythology.  To give the player an opportunity to role play and discover a game through historical Chinese lore via incredible  graphics which literally transports a player to a fairytale past of China that has nearly been forgotten by the rest of the world with its beautiful rolling hills, spacious seas, religious and colorful influences.  To present an Asian game whose ingame quests and unique PvP system ultimately defines honor as a needed element to explore deeper into the realms of ancient Chinese gods, unfolding the story slowly, chapter by chapter until the final page is written by the player.

MMOsite: So far, how about the response from the western players? How do you compare the Chinese version and the western version? Have you made any modifications in order to cater to the western audience?

The response from the western community has been overwhelmingly positive as one can witness by either visiting our forums or creating a character ingame.  Western players appreciate the fact that Immortals strays from the norm in the gaming industry offering them a unique gaming experience not found elsewhere.  Most of our players chose this game because of the Chinese mythology, wanting to learn more about the lore and actually experience it first hand in a 3D virtual environment.

In the Chinese version of the game, 2 players are allowed to ride a pet other than only one in the western version. The item mall will focus more on armor, weapons and clothes whereas the Chinese version sells the usual fast consuming items such as food and other regenerating items or spell enhancers and stones.

It is interesting to compare the two, one not better than the other however simply "different".  The obvious difference between the Chinese and the western version would be the actual gameplay and community.

In the Chinese version, the community website seems more directed towards a way to meet others whilst the western version site chooses to focus more on the game.

Although Asian gamers are thought to be more hardcore in grinding, etc, I would have to say that our western gamers can easily match them even on a bad day.

The main difference in gameplay would be that the Chinese players are more party and group oriented, believing in honor and helping one another whereas the western gamers are more self oriented, focusing on leveling.  Chinese players seem to be more immersed in the role that they play whereas our western players are once again trying to get to the next level or to find a nicer item, or have more stats or be better than everyone else.  Chinese players care more about having the most honor not only ingame points but in the eyes of their fellow role players.

Hopefully we can learn something from our Chinese Immortals brethren via gameplay, that the whole is more than the one and that one cannot exist without the other.