Bandai Namco, the publisher of hits like Dark Souls, is now heading to the golf course. With Winning Putt, they are releasing a golf MMO.
The Japanese company Bandai Namco, known primarily for the Dark Souls and Tekken series, unveiled a project by the South Korean game developer Webzen Onnet just hours ago, which is said to be almost complete: a free-to-play golf MMO that will immediately launch with an open beta.
In Winning Putt, that’s the name of the MMO, you can prove yourself on the virtual golf field with your buddies. Because that’s primarily what it’s supposed to be: a golf simulation.
The gameplay is based on a simple three-click system: the first click initiates the swing with the golf club, the second click sets the power behind it, and the third determines the accuracy. Here, precise timing is essential. Otherwise, the ball will end up in the nearest woods or puddle.
Experience Points, In-Game Currency, and Cool Golf Hats!
Additionally, you collect experience points with each stroke, and you earn in-game currency with each ball you sink. Both are needed to improve your character’s skills and acquire additional skills. For example, with the necessary XP, you can unlock the ability to skillfully curve the ball around objects that would otherwise be inconveniently in the way.
The currency can be invested in new equipment, from the golf hat to shoes. Some of these will only be cosmetic, while others bring useful bonuses. So far, Webzen has no official real-world companies as partners, but the developer shows great interest in integrating authentic golf equipment into Winning Putt in the future.
A Golf Simulation…and what else?
At the launch of the full game, seven golf courses with 18 holes each will be available, designed with varying structure and difficulty. The weather will also play a role: there will be day and night, sun and rain.
The club area is a place where you can team up with other golfers. This area will be populated by human players and NPCs. The latter are supposed to represent a lively menu system. For example, you’ll need to find a specific character and talk to them if you want to participate in a ranked match. There will be the possibility to start guilds, although Webzen has not yet revealed concrete details on what these will look like and what options they will open up for you.
Basically, the game is designed so that virtual golfers will pay with time or real money to progress in the game ‒ although the ratio between these two options is still unclear.
Whether the game will be a success remains to be seen. But as the American professional golfer Lee Trevino once said, “Golf is the greatest fun you can have with your pants on!”
Here is where you can sign up for the open beta of Winning Putt.
