Interview with Ria the Kafra:

Arcite Valeheart: Hello, I’m James Paolo from Pinoy Gaming.net, and you are?

Ria the Kafra: Hi! I’m Ria..

Arcite Valeheart: I presume you are cosplaying as a Kafra from Ragnarok Online, right? *grins*

Ria the Kafra: Yah

Arcite Valeheart: What made you decide to cosplay as kafra?

Ria the Kafra: I was playing with my character and I was going around and I saw the kafra and thought she was really pretty and I thought to myself, why not dress up like this kafra instead of other kafras around?

Arcite Valeheart: What are the characteristics of a kafra would you like to portray?

Ria the Kafra: I would like to portray the kafra’s personality as a slightly conservative, she has an even personality.

Arcite Valeheart: If I may ask, how old are you?

Ria the Kafra: I’m 19 years old.

Arcite Valeheart: Oh, 19 years old. So how about if I dress up right now as a morroc guardian, would you prefer to sit beside me?

Ria the Kafra: *nervous laugh*

Arcite Valeheart: That’s only a joke anyway *smiles* Of course, do you believe that every cosplayer should be compensated by Level Up since you spend time, effort and resources for your costume?

Ria the Kafra: For me, it’s only a part of cosplaying and it doesn’t matter. Its fun cosplaying by itself, I won’t ask for anything else.

Arcite Valeheart: So what would you say to other aspiring cosplayers here?

Ria the Kafra: Do your best, have fun and you don’t have to worry about much. Go do your thing.

*editor’s note: Arcite now has that kafra as his savepoint*

Sir David: Being one of the pioneers of online gaming in the Philippines, do you like the direction where Philippine gaming is heading?

Jane: Well, honestly, of course when PLDT acquired Level Up, the expectations were really higher but I think because as you know, it’s really dependent on the infrastructure. But now that Smart and MyDSL are really increasing their subscriber base, they’re reaching more homes and more users. I think you can expect gaming to become even more popular in the coming years, especially with very simple games that are easily accessible which is why, although Level Up started as an MMORPG company, if you would notice the past year, we have been introducing games that are easy to pick up. So we’re very happy with the development so far because I think that’s the key eh. Not to stick to MMORPGS but really have a portfolio that targets even people who don’t know yet that they can be gamers. It has to be simple enough for them to be able to [play].

Sir David: With that kind of logic or strategy to penetrating the market, do you think you’ll forget the hardcore gamers any time soon?

Jane: No, no, no, no. I mean as I have said, it’s really a portfolio play. I mean now kasi the market is more fragmented unlike before talagang you know it was such a small industry. I mean we are still considered emergent actually, but before it was such a small industry na lahat kayo MMORPG and of course FPS. But now, there are players who play 2-3 different kinds of games, one hardcore and one very easy to play. There are players who are like me, who just prefer the very simple, easy to get into games. But definitely Level Up is going to be in various segments. It’s going to be from the hardcore, complex MMORPGS to the very simple. In fact, if you notice if you go to our websites, we have mini-games that even a 5 yr old could play or even a mom could play. Definitely we’re not going to forget MMORPGS, it’s in the vein of Level Up.

Sir David: Follow up question, since the penetration of games is getting really good in the Philippines, my question would be, do you think there should be a mitigating body in screening the games for kids?

Jane: I think if you look at the more progressive countries, there is really a lot of support, especially from the government. If there is more participation you also expect support and you also expect regulation. I’m a mom myself, and it’s a you thing, like you decide where to expose your son and where not to expose your son and the balance of course in games and distribution of outdoor activities. It’s good to have participation from government centers because its really, there’s nothing like it but it depends when the market becomes more mainstream. We are still seen as a niche market. Level up, we’ve always been espousing responsible gaming.

Sir David: So far, what is your stand on customer support, after sales? The one complaint players give has always been the customer support.

Jane: We always strive for excellence. There are really aspects of the game that we cannot control. We don’t control the entire, for one thing we’re not developers. Kami, Level Up, customer satisfaction is always our priority. Right now, we are much stricter, for example, in the turnaround time when we respond to the gamer, as far as their complaints are concerned. Second, we work so hard with the developer partner because sila yung may codes nung game. We are allowed certain access but at the end of the day we depend on them. So there should be more cooperation between our developers and us so we can really serve our players better kasi that’s important to us. Before talaga Level Up was first in the market so talagang trial and error yan, now also being part of the PLDT group we are more structured so there’s a lot of training going on, in making sure that our customers talk to our call agents for example, they are very disciplined and polite. We really try our best, that’s all I can say, we really try our best. Hangga’t kaya namin. We really invest a lot of resources. In retail ibenta mo lang that’s it. You have no idea how much resources are in purchase, that’s why may game operations, game masters and all that support. It’s a huge team.

Sir David: What games do you play?

Jane: The Wii, Crazy cart, hmmm non-level up *smiles*. I’m a console player, so I play the Wii, I’m not an xboxer. I bond with my son, I only have one kid. He’s 5 years old. I play Wii with him, I play crazy cart with him, it’s a good way to bond, because I’m not into rough play. Gaming for me is so much more enjoyable when you enjoy it with family. FPS is not my thing kasi nga, nakakahilo. Grand chase puede! you*laughs*

Sir David: Do you have any plans of bringing foreign games into the Philippines that are not online like publishing high title games like Modern Warfare 2 or Assasins Creed.

Jane: Here in the Philippine market, you know naman that there are high title games. Its so difficult in the company when the company relies on sale of a retail box for example. Second, in the Philippines market you know kasi we’re a pirate market. The game itself is 2,500 na diba? What more if may 15thousand pang console? At this point di pa siya viable.

Sir David: What message would you give Filipino gamers?

Jane: Message? Ako simple lang eh, just have fun. Sometimes its over – not good for you. At the end of the day, its just an alternative entertainment. Just having fun but at the same time, there’s a lot of social interaction. My kid for example, learn a lot of things in the computer because of games. Basta lang, don’t spend too much time, there are other things like playing tennis or ride a bike, you know. Just have fun and share it with your friends.

Team Influenza made a stunning performance by achieving 2nd place at the just concluded RWC 2009.

Sir David: David Lleno from Pinoy Gaming.net, state your name, occupation, and favorite color.

Team Influenza: Ah, Ryan, and I’m the ano daw… seryoso ba ‘yan? *Sir David chuckles* the brand manager of Ragnarok Online. Favorite color is ahm.. ano ba maganda? Pink, ah fuchsia, pero hindi ko alam spelling kaya red na lang hahaha.

SirDavid: Maraming mga Ragnarokers ang nagsabi na baka masira ang Ragnarok pagkatapos ng renewal.. ano ang masasabi mo doon?

Team Influenza: Masisira in the sense na mababago siya, ‘yung parang old Ragnarok, so basically para siyang magkakaroon ng “overhaul”, may 12 new jobs na madadagdag. Basically masisira in a sense na yung mga dating builds, yung dating mga ano natin sa Ragnarok is mababago siya. Yung mga stats yung upgrade level, diba ngayon hanggang +10, pero abangan n iyo nalang, abangan niyo nalang sa renewal *laughs* hindi ko muna sasabihin kung hanggang ilang ‘yun overups.

Sir David: Marami ang nagsasabi na marami sa mga bagong class na malalakas ngayon eh mas lalakas pa pero problema, iga-grind na naman..
problema ba ‘yon?

Team Influenza: Actually, ‘yung mga Filipino gamers, hindi nila problema ‘yon. Alam mo naman ang dahilan, kasi ‘yung grinding satin madali lang. Kaso ‘pag nahuli kayo, pasensya po, pero maba-ban ‘yan, ‘yung mga ano, ‘yung mga naga-grind na ano ba mga ‘yon? Mga B-O-T! Anyways, andito na ‘yung Team Philippines…

Sir David: Andito na ‘yung Team Philippines? I’m from Pinoy Gaming.net, a Pinoy gaming network.. Interviewin lang namin kayo. ‘Yung interview namin is random questions – puro kalokohan, kasi Pinoy gamers naman tayong lahat eh.

Ryan: Kung ilan naba ‘yung anak nila?

Sir David: Oo, pwede ‘yon. Oh, heto unang tanong. ‘Pag naglalaro ba kayo, pinapalaro nyo ba ang inyong 12 year old na pinsan na hindi marunong mag-type? Alam nyo kung ano ‘yon?

Team Influenza: ano? *all laugh* ah, gets ko na ‘yung tanong.. gets ko na. Hinde, hindi naglalaro hahaha…

Sir David: Na-gets mo na? Ngayon mo lang na-gets ha hahaha.. Okay, pangalawang question.. okay nab a ‘yung Japan? Ano masasabi nyo sa Japan?

Team Influenza: Panot pa rin ang Hapon sa Japan *laugh*. As in team Japan, or ‘yung Japan mismo?

Sir David: ‘Yung Japan mismo, ‘yung bansa.

Team Influenza: ‘Yung bansa? Malinis masyado. Disiplinado sila. Tsaka magagalang ‘yung mga tao doon. Naiwanan nga nya ‘yung bag nya sa bench ng ilang minutes, walang kumukuha eh. Nandoon pa ‘din, walang kumukuha.

Sir David: Ahm.. bilang Pilipino, ano ang masasabi nyo sa performance nyo doon sa Ragnarok World Championship?

Team Influenza: World-class! *all chorus ‘World-class’ then chuckles* Ah alam ko na.. performance namin is world-class second placer. *all laugh*

Sir David: Magandang sagot ‘yan! Next year ba may plano kayo mag-world champion?

Team Influenza: Oo naman, lahat naman eh! Oo naman!

Sir David: May pag-asa ba kayo? *grins*

Team Influenza: Sana! Hahahaha!

Sir David: Gusto kong malaman reaction nyo ‘dun sa bagong Ragnarok Renewal.. ano sa tingin nyo mangyayari?

Team Influenza: ‘Dun sa renewal? Bagong build.. ‘yung 3rd job.. bagong strategy, scratch lahat.. bagong line-up.. bago lahat.

Sir David: Itutuloy nyo pa din ba ‘yung laro kahit 150 na ‘yung level cap?

Team Influenza: Oo naman! Mas exciting! ‘Yung pinsan kong 12 year old, excited na siya mag-150! Hahaha!

Sir David: Sa susunod na Ragnarok World Championships, ano ‘yung gusto nyo maidagdag at maibawas?

Team Influenza: Bawas timbang. *all laugh* Dagdag premyo.

Sir David: Ano ba nakuha nyong premyo?

Team Influenza: Seven thousand dollars. Hahaha!

Sir David: Kung wala kayong bot, at gusto nyo magpalevel, ano gagawin nyo?

Team Influenza: ‘Yung mga bodyguard na ano.. ‘yung mga mercenary. Tapos ‘yung mga scroll na pampataas ng EXP..ipapalaro ko sa pinsan kong 12 years old

Sir David: … na di marunong mag type?

Team Influenza: uu yung di marunong mag type.

Sir David: Ano gusto niyong maidagdag sa Ragnarok na nakikita niyo sa ibang MMO?

Team Influenza: Players, tournaments. Ok naman siya ngayon marami lang talaga nagsawa. Tsaka matagal na, matagal na ang Ragnarok.

Sir David: Kung ang alaga niyong hayop ay natutong magRagnarok, ano job niya?

Team Influenza: Pet parin *tawanan* puede ring awing homunculus, bio(chemist) madali lang magbio, isa lang pinipindot eh *tawanan*

Sir David: May masasabi ba kayo sa mga nagbabasa ng pinoygaming network?

Team Influenza: Masasabi lang naming aim high parati. Keep playing, keep playing! At Rok on! *tawanan*

Sir David of Pinoy Gaming snatched the man for an interview. Read on…

Sir David: What do you think so far of the Filipino gaming community?

Jun Lee: It’s been great actually, I mean Philippine gamers are much more “core” than I thought actually. They consume the content really quick, they level up really fast and they have a lot of the heart for the games they play. So, I mean that is something we can feel just like in the movies, like a fan. I mean that tells us how deeply they love this game. So it’s not just playing game for enjoyment but it’s becoming more a part of their lives I guess. So I am very impressed. We love Philippine gamers.

Sir David: As a Filipino gamer, we’ve always envied Korea. Korea has a huge gaming community. Do you see the Philippines as something like that near in the future?

Jun Lee: Oh yea, definitely. I mean Korea obviously is leading in online game industry around the globe but we started about year 2002, it’s been only eight years, so after a couple of years later in the Philippines, why not? You guys can dominate the Southeast Asian market, why not? This energy and this love from the heart can really drive this community and this industry to grow much more faster and bigger.

Sir David: Regarding, Korean MMORPGS, is there any way you guys can take out the grinding in the future? It has always been a concern for us Filipinos.

Jun Lee: Grinding, yes, yes, I personally don’t like that either but I mean a lot of game developers tried to take that out and by taking out the grinding, they instead put in a lot of more missions, such as the World Of Warcraft cases, you have more missions to lower the maximum level cap so they can get to this much level and enjoy the rest of the content. Therefore, you have to know more and more the contents’ in and out and every time you bring in new contents, the other contents existing have to be in balance with each other, which is a very difficult job. We’ve tried it and at the beginning a lot new users liked it but did not stay too long in the game. In a way, they say it’s is fun, different. But I’m not so sure, you know what I mean? So, we’re still looking for what the users really like. They do complain, they say “It’s not good”, “I don’t like it”. I mean I don’t like it either but if I don’t grind in MMORPG games, I mean we have to find some other different contents to provide to make it [grinding] lower and I guess all gaming companies have to study that more. I agree, I mean it’s too much [laughs].

Sir David: What can we expect from your company? What are the games you‘re working on?

Jun Lee: Well, we have two more project, in-house development right now. Some casual games, some MMO games as well. I mean the title is still the project title so we haven’t really announced it yet. If we do, we’ll definitely bring it here in the Philippines with you know, probably, Level Up.

Sir David: Will you be able to give us a teaser?

Jun Lee: Uh no, not yet [laughs]. You might get to see it through the GStore next month, the game show in Korea. Maybe we’ll announce some information but for now not yet, we’re not ready yet [laughs]

Sir David: Thank you for your time