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TGS 08: New White Knight Chronicles Online Mode Details

On the second day of the 2008 Tokyo Game Show, Sony Computer Entertainment held a press event to reveal the previously unseen cooperative four-player online mode for Level 5's upcoming PS3 role-playing epic White Knight Chronicles. As it turns out, when venturing online with others, you won't be controlling offline protagonist Leonard or any of the game's supporting cast -- rather, you'll take control of a custom-made avatar of your choosing. This character can be male or female, and their appearance is completely customizable. Surprisingly, you'll be asked to fashion your avatar even before embarking on the game's single-player adventure, as this character will provide a link between the two modes. Although you won't be allowed to draft this hero into your party until a few hours into the story, once they're available you can then freely transition between the offline and online modes while maintaining their experience, items, skills, and money. While speaking with 1UP, Level 5 President Akihiro Hino revealed that some limitations will be placed on this online/offline sharing in order to maintain game balance. You won't be able to simply dive into the online game, amass a bevy of powerful spells and weapons, and then return to the single-player experience as a fully twinked bad-ass. In fact, your progress in the offline game will determine what online quests and equipment are available for your perusal. The nature of the online game appears to be quite similar to Phantasy Star Online or Monster Hunter -- up to 16 players can caucus in lobbies, divide themselves into four-person adventuring parties, and then choose among various quests. Although Level 5 isn't ready to say precisely how many quests will be available, "a huge number" have been promised, and Hino gave a strong indication that additional missions will be available as downloadable content.

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