WEBZEN, the operator of online free-to-play games portal GamesCampus, today releases an overview of its successful license Shot Online along with the announcement of its newest update.
Not many online games are in the position to proclaim survivability and success for more than 10 years on the MMO market. The MMO golf game Shot Online, however, not only celebrates over 10 years of survival, but 10 years of achievements and successes, including a user who went from playing the game to becoming a competitive, pro golfer in real life.
More than 10 years have passed since golfers sank their first putts on the virtual greens of Shot Online, and the game has fascinated golf enthusiasts ever since, whether they practice it in their everyday lives, only online or both.
The game engine was specially developed to simulate and enhance on real-life golf, allowing for satisfying skill shots (including curve shots). This created a "feel" that was unlike that of any other game, attracting a strong community of players that continues to enjoy and value this unique experience after many years.
The longevity of Shot Online is owed not only to the competitive and technical aspects of the game, but also to the community and social elements. Golf lovers are brought together through guilds in the game, which can be compared to well-known golf clubs in real life.
Shot Online operates on European, Asian and US servers, and receives monthly fixes and content updates to this day. The competition is in full swing between players of each server, who continue to train and improve each year in order to reach the top of the world rankings against golfers from all around the globe. Players from all countries can compete in worldwide tournaments, such as the World Ranking Tour or the recently released Shot Online World Championship.
Competitions like these are what make Shot Online special and are what helped inspire one pro golfer to step away from his mouse and keyboard and pick up a golf club for real. By playing Shot Online, Ali Khazanbeik developed his love for the sport as well as his talent. The half-German/half-Iranian golfer became one of the best players in his golf club in Germany, and he answered the call of the Iranian national team to support them during several tournaments. Right now, Ali studies in the USA at the University of Texas, with a focus on golf.
On October 24th for European servers and October 25th for the US server, Shot Online will introduce another content update, revamping the course-selection UI by adding three new game modes: EXP, Drop and NG Courses. A new course will be regularly selected as an EXP, NG (in-game currency) or Drop Course, in which players will receive enhanced EXP/NG gain or drop rates. This new update allows players to "funnel" into specific game modes and easily find companions to play with.
In addition to these features, new items called "Artefacts" are being introduced to the game. These can be obtained through daily play-time rewards and drop occasionally while playing golf, with increased drop chances when playing on the "Drop Courses". These artefacts can be used to craft EXP items or costumes which were previously only sold via the in-game shop.
Another update to Shot Online revolves around a rework of its subscription packages, including the introduction of two new soft-subscriptions, currently labelled "Deluxe" and "Luxury". These new memberships are cheaper and work independently from (or in combination with) the existing Platinum Subscriptions and therefore open up more options and choice for players. The two new statuses allow players to gain daily NG, catch up with some extra EXP and receive daily item rewards.
After the update launches, everyone above Level 110 will receive 30 days of Deluxe Membership for free to try out.
Shot Online is free to play and can be downloaded and played by anyone, at any time. Visit the website, sign up, and give it a shot!
For European players, please visit: http://shotonline.gamescampus.eu
For players in the US, please visit: http://shotonline.gamescampus.com
Meanwhile, WEBZEN is currently working on the release of a real-time, multiplayer mobile golf game Shot Online Golf: World Championship. After the previous closed beta, the Shot Online Golf team is paying close attention to user feedback and is sharing golf information and tips with the community. Interested players are invited to join the official Facebook community at: https://www.facebook.com/ShotonlinegolfWC/
