Uncharted Waters Online Interview: Back to the Age of Discovery

CJ internet announced their brand new project Uncharted Waters Online which was developed by Japan-based game company TECMO KOEI Games at this year's E3. Based on KOEI's Rokoeition Uncharted Waters series of games, Uncharted Waters Online is set within several timelines during the Age of Exploration as a romantic and historic fictional account of the era. It has been published in Japan with the name Great Voyage Online.

Uncharted Waters Online - Trailer

We sat down with Takeda Tomokaz, producer director of Uncharted Waters Online, giving an overview of this unique voyage-based MMORPG.

MMOsite: Hello！ So glad that you can take the interview with MMOsite! I'm Jeff. First, would you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

Takeda Tomokaz : Hello, I'm Takeda Tomokaz from TECMO KOEI GAMES.? I'm a producer director of our upcoming title, Uncharted Waters Online.

Full Size

MMOsite: Your games feature many different genres, but have one thing in common. That is, each of your games bears a profound historical background. Even the love game Haruka brings a classic, historical feel, which can be said as a kind of brilliant and distinctive feature. So, is the MMO which has been unveiled in E3 also a historical game?

Takeda Tomokaz : Yes, you exactly pointed out its unique feature. ?UWO is based on the mid-century where voyagers are exploring the world to make the histories.

Full Size

MMOsite: Different from other Japanese game companies concentrating on the development of console games, KOEI are more enthusiastic in online games, and presented online projects early, e.g. Nobunaga's Ambition Online in 2003, Great Voyage Online in 2005, Dynasty Warriors BB in 2006 and Sangokushi Online in 2007. What makes KOEI target at the online game market?

Takeda Tomokaz : As you mentioned, 'Great Voyage Online's official global service launching title is 'Uncharted Waters Online.' KOEI adopted Online Game model earlier than other game companies. From beginning, we targeted Asia Market, where secured gaming market is already formed, and we are actively servicing various games to many different regions. Especially, Uncharted Waters Online made a great success in Asia.

MMOsite: For the European and North American players, the online games developed by Asian developers all have to face a big problem – cultural difference, which lets such players fail to understand the in-game oriental cultures. Do you take the problem into consideration? Will the online game, which is still a mystery, get into such "trouble" too? Please tell us something about the game's background!

Takeda Tomokaz : We are definitely working on localization to fit the market, North America and Europe, but there will still be some cultural differences taken placed. However, Uncharted Waters Online is originated from actual history, so there will be less cultural gaps comparing to other typical online games. Also, through beta-testing, we will apply North American/European users' requests more intensively to target the niche in the gaming market.?