GetAmped2

GetAmped2
Developer(s)	CyberStep
Publisher(s)	CyberStep
Platform(s)	Windows (2K/XP/Vista/7)[1]
Release date(s)	JPN 6 November 2008[2] TWN 5 June 2009[3] NA 16 December 2010[4] KOR 11 January 2012[5]
Genre(s)	Free-to-play, Beat'em up
Mode(s)	MMO
Distribution	Client

GetAmped2 (ゲットアンプド2, GettoAnpudo 2) is a free to play massively multiplayer online brawler game, developed and published by the Japanese company CyberStep, Inc. Originally released in Japan on 6 November 2005, it has since been released in several other countries including the United States, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines and Korea,^[6][7] with other areas including the EU, Germany and France preparing for official release.^[8] Worldwide the game has more than 26 million registered users.^[9] As the sequel to GetAmped (known as Splash Fighters in North America), the main difference from the original is an added emphasis placed on the social factor and a much greater development of the story lines. The sequel intends to offer players a game experience similar to a massively multiplayer online role-playing game.^[10] Various non-player characters (NPCs) in the game are voiced by famous Japanese voice-over artists, including Kazuya Tatekabe, Rie Kugimiya, Ryōtarō Okiayu, Akio Ōtsuka, Asami Shimoda, Tomoko Kaneda, Kappei Yamaguchi, Takehito Koyasu, Miki Itō, Shigeru Chiba and Norio Wakamoto.^[11] An online manga featuring characters from the game was released and includes several chapters.^[12] The North American server hosts a variety of events for the game ranging from a 64-player battle tournament^[13] to a furniture design contest.^[14]

Story

The game is set in 2120 A.D., nearly half a century after mankind first left the solar system and made contact with intelligent extraterrestrial beings and the intergalactic organization Galaxy Federation. When these news reached the Earth, a war, the Uniport War, broke out over the question of whether to join the Galaxy Federation. Eventually, the Earth joined the Galaxy Federation and as part of the 20 years accession anniversary, the construction of a floating satellite city, later named Wingdom, was started. This floating city was meant as a gigantic display of future science, and was to be constructed by a joint consortium of companies from Earth and from outer space. However, soon after construction began, the management went bankrupt and construction was halted. Then, in a sudden takeover bid, a company called GAI bought Wingdom and continued its construction. Since the exact sum of the deal was never revealed, it continues to cause a great deal of speculation. When GAI finished the construction of Wingdom, they organized the first GetAmped Tournament, GAT. In this tournament, fighters from all over the galaxy took part to determine the strongest of them all, ending with the victory of a fighter called Bon Seagal. To prepare for the next GAT, more extraterrestrial fighters were invited to join and large-scale reconstruction of Wingdom was undertaken. However, Wingdom and its successful tournament also attracted misgivings from other countries and there are rumours pointing to a connection to a mysterious terrorist organisation called the Val Shark Army, which started to carry out attacks in Wingdom.

Gameplay

Players can choose from different character styles, each granting their character a different set of strengths and weaknesses. Characters possess attributes such as strength, technique or defence, and these attributes vary based on the character's chosen style. Various fighting techniques and a wide variety of weapons, including clubs and grenades, can be used to attack enemies in the game.^[15] Characters can also be equipped with accessories which grant special attack abilities.^[16] When combined with a special in-game item, more powerful abilities can be used.^[16]

Game Modes

There are three game modes: Tournament mode, Guardian mode and Street Fight mode. In Tournament mode, players can fight one-on-one or against a maximum of 8 players in single mode or team battle mode. In Guardian mode, players can go on missions and fight against non-player characters, either by themselves or in teams of up to four people at the same time in the same mission. Street Fight mode is a battle royale of up to 20 players at a time. There are three stages and since there is no time limit, players get rewarded according to how well they performed during the time they spent in Street Fight mode.^[17]

GetAmped 2 Gameplay

Customization

GetAmped2 features editable skins and avatars. Players have numerous possibilities for customization by using an extensive in-game editor with polygon and texture editing features. Not only the skins, but the entire form of the avatar can be changed. Thus, the avatar can also be created in the image of famous anime or cartoon characters. Players also have the option to exchange the skins they have created with other players or download them from the official website.^[15] Furthermore, players can equip their in-game MyRoom with KDJ-Plus, a genuine music creation software tool that allows users to create and share their own music. KDJ-Plus is equipped with a synthesizer and pattern type sequencer and can also be used to edit music by copying and pasting various data components from phrases, patterns, tones and other songs.^[18] KDJ-Plus is the trimmed-down version of the software that CyberStep markets as part of their portable DAW KDJ-One Audio Workstation.^[19]

Communication

Players have access to a set of animated character emotions which, when used, are visible to other players. There is also an in-game mail and a chat function, which is also available as a means of communication. The chat has four modes, allowing players to talk to other players near them, to players in the whole area, to members of their team or guild, or privately to another player. Lastly, players can form guilds and invite other players to join them. Guild members also have access to a guild bulletin board on which only other guild members can view and discuss.^[20]

References

Further reading

• TeT, CyberStep's President Rui Sato states: "We are pursuing new projects with confidence.", 4Gamer, 12 November 2007.
• Ichiyō, So how's the competition of the Third GetAmpedX World Tournament going? „GetAmped World Festival 2010" Event Report, 4Gamer, 30 August 2010.
• Ichiyō, We're aiming for ongoing events and to develop our services overseas. Interview with CyberStep's President Satō on future plans., 4Gamer, 3 September 2010.

External links

• GetAmped2 North America
• GetAmped2 Europe
• GetAmped2 Japan
• GetAmped2 Brazil
• GetAmped2 Indonesia
• Getamped 2 Gameplay