Here's how it looks to my understanding: the first thing you do when you start the game is to login, create your character, and all that good stuff. Upon logging in, you are given an ID number through which friends can locate you at any time.

   During the course of the game, you can meet with friends or strangers to perform various tasks of your choosing. This is done via the "People Finder" system. Say you wanna break into the girls' showers at a particular dormitory. Put out the request on the People Finder system, and three players out to perform the same goal will join up with you. Instant party! (Alas, I doubt breaking into girls' showers will be possible in the game. We'll probably be stuck with boring stuff like slaying dragons or locating valuable artifacts or something.)

   Although you will be able to play the game alone, it apparently won't be possible to uncover everything on your own. Being that each player must select attributes tailored to his/her behavior, there may be certain tasks that you can't possibly perform on your own. Under these circumstances, you must team up with other players, or at least rely on the information they have to give you.

   As stated before, players from all corners of the globe will be able to work together, with the language barrier being torn down by visual interfaces and a basic dialogue system that automatically translates simple phrases (the ChuČ Lobby utilizes such a feature). Each server will be able to handle approximately 1000 players simultaneously, and sources continue to point toward a summer release. I still doubt the game will make it out before year's end, but regardless of when it hits, one thing's for sure: I'm there.

   You can check out the four new screenshots (featuring some actual characters) right here. (Source: IGN DC)

   -- Green Gibbon!

Compiled and arranged by Jared "Green Gibbon!" Matte. Hosting provided by Emulation Zone and Emulation World.