The Return of Pangya USA - Screenshots/Changes + 1st Impressions

Before The Shutdown

After The Revival

Today I was able to play one tournament game and test out the current Open Beta. The client is smooth, minimal errors, and everything looks clean and well done (No-half arsed Descriptions, etc.).

Probably the most memorable thing (Besides failing on Sepia Wind with a -18), everyone on the server became a Trap/Reverse Trap (Also Known As: "When I went to Ntreev, I became a girl"). Currently Ntreev USA is doing maintenance to fix these small things, but overall I am very happy with the transfer.

Mostly all the points that I highlighted in this post last month were covered, and for that I applaud them:

• Everyone's Pang was reset to the starting 3000 Pang.
• Every item previously owned was transferred completely intact.
• Course records were reset.

Some Notes:

• Scout is now named "Nuri".
• Phoenixes are now called "Comets" (To fit the "Swing for the Heavens")
• A18-Related Logos were all cleaned and changed to "Pangya" (Particularly the Guild Battle Winners Shirts)
  

From my experiences in Grand Chase, Ntreev knows how to run events, keep things balanced, and are very open to ideas/receptive to their community. It is with this hope I can see new events and a greater sense of community once more, and meet the people that I've lost, again on the greens.

Some Hopes:

• Custom Tourney Option Once Again (Been Waiting For These)
• Better Events/Non-Generic x2 XP/Pang Days
• Open-mindedness to Voice Clubs and Associated In-Game Items (JP voices, Special Clubs/Items from Other Servers)
  
• Season 4 Not Far From Arriving (Grand Chase is releasing characters at a standard rate, so I assume they will follow with their Pangya releases)
  

Some fun screenshots for your pleasure.

Various Random Photos with Old Vets/Players:


Extra: I find taking photos of my characters in different settings/outfits like a Photo Shoot entertaining. I actually took a lot of sad-face photos of the other couple of girls in the case nothing was transferred/server was gone forever. Seeing as we're in the good now, I present the "Sadface: Before the Shutdown" Arin and Hana pictures. It's nothing big, but I did put some effort into them. Too bad my username could not be removed....

Arin:Hana:

With that, I hope to see all of you on the greens, and look forward to having a wonderful time on Pangya USA.

~Chun

Dear JP Pangya, I Miss You, Call Me Back

Every year there's a birthday celebration for Kooh and various fun related events happen every year. I received notice of this through the newsletter I get from the game; just can't access the server.

...what I'd do to get my JP Pangya account back... the things I'd do...

...Hatsune Mikooh...
Koohgimiya Rie clubs...

~Chun

Pang Rice: A18 Is Pangya USA + Quick Speculation

Some people have already refered to me that Pangya is actually going to transfer data to NTREEV and now all is well in the world.

I did meet an employee from NTREEV during my panel at Fanime 2008 last year, and it was a nice experience (Though the turnout was small).

I think I'll give American Pangya another shot after the first week or so. It'll really be to gauge how NTREEV decides to handle the current BR etiquette situation and the lot of hacking (Which I hope for good things, since this is their precursor to the "Super Swing Golf" Franchise).

Frankly, I'm just glad Kooh will still be with me.

More info as this comes around, and current game excursions; also, I've been looking to scanlate something (Though the manga must have furigana; I'm not versed enough in Kanji). I would like it if it wasn't too shonen, or just something that has a slice of life feel to it. Though I am a one person team, so don't expect too much.

I've also got a better video solution to my youtube; so I can now take questions for A18 radio. Comment here or e-mail to: chunhiopangya at hotmail dot com.

Chin up.

~Chun

Empty Pang Rice: OGPlanet Announces Albatross18 Shutdown

"Albatross18 Players,

We are sorry to announce that Albatross18 will be closing its services. We have had some good times, but the servers will be going down. For the time being, you will still be able to play, and until the servers go down on March 10th, you can use your Astros to make purchases from the shop or from any other OGPlanet game.

In fact, we think you will love our other games so much, we will give you special prizes just for trying them out. If you create a new character in Rumble Fighter, CABAL Online, or La Tale between now and March 8th, we will give you a special item to help get you further in the games faster. Note that players will only receive special items for characters created during this period and only for games in which they did not previously already have a character.

So, for now, enjoy Albatross18 and remember to try our other games before March 8th to get your free gifts! We are currently working with the developer on the future of the game and we will make an announcement once we have more information. Until then, will keep Albatross18 running smoothly until the servers go down on March 10th. We are glad that we could share all of these good times with you and we hope to share more in the other OGPlanet games!"

...

To be honest, I could see this direction was coming, but now it's just sad seeing how everything is right now. What really hurts the most is that they think they can amend the situation by trying to buy us in to their other games from the previous. I'm really going to miss my friends that I met there (Of whom I don't have contact info), the memories of the records I have made and the hours I put into organizing events for them, and finally, as you all know, my Kooh.

My Halo X-Mas Gifted, Olympic Scratchcard Won, Many Cookies Spent, but most of all, cherished partner in Pangya. It's moments like this that really ruin my rhythm.

Currently OGPlanet talks are in progress with the developer so there is a possibility of data transfer/not all acquisitions lost, but until then, I'm screenshotting until no tomorrow before March 10th.

A big thanks to the hackers, disrespectful players, and overall horrible community for bringing this about. If we didn't have scum like you, we could still be playing with the courtesy of Season 1. Also thanks to OGP for not noticing buying multiple licenses causes stress on game quality and moderation.

I think I can, just this once, let out my inhibitions.

Fuck. You. OGP. I'm sorry I put any faith in you.

More updates as they come about, and messages later... I guess I'll focus on my KR account from now on (ChunandRice).

What to do about my Pangya Panel now...

~Chun

Another Long-Awaited Update: BlazBlue @ Local Arcade, Feather Inflation? WTB Kooh Feather

It's finals week at college, so I apologize once more for the lack of updates.

Game Rice: BlazBlue @ Sunnyvale Golfland, CA, USA

So recently my local arcade has received a brand new BlazBlue cabinet. BlazBlue is the newest game by Arc System Works which takes place 10 years after its predecessor, the Guilty Gear series. What do I like about it? Everything; as an avid player of Melty Blood and dabbling in Guilty Gear, it's become an opportunity for the locals that were separated into their own respectable games for tournaments and events to come together and fight it out.

Since the game had a simultaneous release all over the country (In other words, Japan didn't have the game before the USA, and vice versa) the whole air about the game is absolutely fun; there's no professional beasting everyone else, and people are learning fast.

More info as tournaments and other events arise; for now, I need to practice for the tournament on the 20th; and judging by the 23 wins in a row I got on the cabinet today, I must be doing something right, hahaha.

What character do I play?

Arguably the best one, hahaha.

Pang Rice: Feather Inflation?! WTB Kooh Feather

The above in the presence of greater than 7m wind, gives 1 pixel of pangya bar.
1st Week of Release: 200-300k Each
Next Week of Release: 150k-180k Each
Next Week of Release: 140k+ Each
This Week: 240+k?!

Honestly, what is going on? I expected these feathers to DROP in price but all of a sudden these bloody things are EXPENSIVE. I expected them to fall to 5 digits this week. I really don't play Albatross18 as much as I used do (Mostly due to being busy with other side projects), but honestly to get a decent Kooh feather or something is so shockingly inflated! Why in the world is there such an occurrence? I don't have any explanation for the behavior of its price. Sure, it's 1 pixel gain, and its own slot, but the pang economy has no real reason to bloat it all of a sudden. Strange market...

Incidentally I'll give a kidney for Kooh's feather. I really would like one, and I've spent 200k attempting for it, down to my last 100k. I'll pay 100k straight off, or we can talk gifts of Astros (200 Astros for 3 Feathers). Whoever is interested, please leave a comment below, and thank you for your charity in advance.

Until next time, I wish you good chip-ins.

~Chun

Pang Rice: Season 4 Korean Trailer

High points include the possibility of a Lunar Tomb course, aka Kooh's Ship, new character, possible mini-game possibilities, more outfits, and a kicking sound track.

This is so epic. I am crying manly tears inside.

~Chun

Pang Rice: Pangya With Voices AKA Kooh is Perfectly Casted

If you didn't know already, I am the biggest Kooh fan in the USA for the Pangya world; PC system and Super Swing Golf. Recently, news of the Japan client adding additional voices has struck major interest; they've never talked before, and by purchase of a certain clubset or won by lottery, you can have all your lovely ladies (Or handsome men, excluding Uncle Bob and shota Scout) voice their motions.

Frankly all I care about is Kooh and I don't give a damn about anyone else (Except Hana).

PANGYA! YOOOSH... GANBARUZOU!

I can't identify the others in this video, but I know that voice anywhere; Kugimiya Rie voices Kooh (Shana of Shakugan no Shana, Louise of Zero no Tsukaima) . COMPLETE MATCH. I can't think of anyone else besides Chiwa Saito taking up the task. A little Tsundere and strong pirate.



Here is a profile cut from a friend's web blog, what I consider to be one of the best Pangya resources in general: Sweatdrop's Zoints

Well, I've got much school stuff to do, but do leave a comment with your thoughts.

Ahh.... I am so very happy right now.

~Chun