Eligium launches website and reveals... panda monks. Really.

Oh Blizzard, did you think you were the only company looking at kung-fu pandas for inspiration? Sorry to tell you, but panda fever is sweeping the globe, and Frogster's upcoming Eligium is going to cash in on that craze like nobody's business.

Today Eligium launched its official website, replete with a beta signup form, videos, screenshots, and forums. On top of that, Frogster announced two of the fantasy free-to-play MMO's races: Pandas and Elves.

The Pandas are described as "masters of the martial arts" as they harness their chi to unleash it on their enemies. At level 15, Panda players can choose between two skill specializations, including Fire Breather. The Elves, on the other hand, fit more into standard fantasy tropes, being experts at archery and trees. The race will eventually segregate into either a defensive or long-range attack skillset.

You can take a gander at Eligium's goodies and sign up for the closed beta over on the official site.

[Source: Frogster press release]

Reader Comments (59)

Weird. So two totally different companies had the exact same terrible idea? What are the odds?

@(Unverified)
Consider "Deep Impact" and "Armageddon". Two movies with essentially the same premise that were independently developed for at least a year before either studio found out that the other was being worked on.

It happens.

Given the popularity of Kung Fu Panda, it's no surprise that a game company would tackle that. Given Blizzard's infatuation with pop culture references, it was no surprise that they would be one of the companies to do so. Especially with the Pandaren race having been referred to in the past. But that's the problem with being derivative instead of groundbreaking -- someone else is sure to do the same thing.

@aurickle i swear to god if i hear "groundbreaking", or "Innovative" one more time this year i'm going to throw a hatchet at my screen.

@Fire Walk With Me

Nooo, that would be too derivative

He'll have to do something... groundbreaking and innovative :D

@Fire Walk With Me We really don't need that kind of talk here. Please just stick to talking about games, not personal attacks. Thanks

@aurickle

Do people commenting on this think the pandaren originated with the dreamworks animated movies? they do not.

The pandaren came from WC3, you're having fun playing your game, and all of a sudden you're in this insane tower defense bonus level controlling some crazy Panda, and on completion you get an even crazier reward screen and it says Panda-monium!

Later in the Horde frozen throne storyline, the pandaren are integrated into warcraft lore proper, and Chen Stormstout helps Thrall found durotar.

Sheesh.

@Mikx

Actually since you're keeping score, Pandaren "came from" Tekken 3, released in 1998

http://www.giantbomb.com/panda/94-3971/

@(Unverified)
When I went shopping today there were pandas, pandas everywhere. Not even related to Kung-Fu Panda, just a bunch of stuff with pandas on it. I guess it's a trend (which I perpetuated by eating at Panda Express D:).

@Irem

Maybe it's like that penguin fad that was going around a while back

@(Unverified)
Doesn't matter where it really originated, it still "is" quite silly and any game that has giant pandas in it I toss over into the "Hello Kitty" bin of a waste of time and not meant to be taken serious.

@Celtar Cow people, fish people, werewolves, elves, wizards, vampires: Okay!

Panda people: FUCK YOU BLIZZARD

You people are silly.

lol

@dudes

No kidding! Does anyone else just see these as Ewoks dressed up as pandas?

@yeppers

Wait!! I take back everything bad I ever said. This is actually based on REAL LIFE!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ghgg_fukbvU

@yeppers

"No kidding! Does anyone else just see these as Ewoks dressed up as pandas? "

I was holding back on my comment about Black and White Ewoks that look like Pandas coming to SW:ToR.... ;P

@Space Cobra

Back when I played SWG my Wookiee was made up to look like a giant Panda. It was hilarious.

I admit I laughed out loud. ^_^

And there I was considering myself the reasonable guy and arguing it's not a conspiracy.

Don't forget! "Eligium" is not a new game, the original title is "Magic world online 2" developed by Shanda Games and It is launched last year in China. So to count the development time and the "panda idea" born at 3-4 years ago :)

@(Unverified)

"Shanda" rhymes with "Panda".....

Jus' sayin'....

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Eligium launches website and reveals... panda monks. Really.

Reader Comments (59)

Posted: Oct 27th 2011 12:04PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Oct 27th 2011 12:32PM aurickle said

Posted: Oct 27th 2011 12:38PM jslim419 said

Posted: Oct 27th 2011 1:00PM Floop the Squirrel said

Posted: Oct 27th 2011 1:07PM Gamewench said

Posted: Oct 27th 2011 1:36PM Mikx said

Posted: Oct 27th 2011 1:41PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Oct 27th 2011 2:52PM Irem said

Posted: Oct 27th 2011 4:44PM hereafter said

Posted: Oct 27th 2011 5:50PM Celtar said

Posted: Oct 31st 2011 9:18AM BaronYiffington said

Posted: Oct 27th 2011 12:04PM dudes said

Posted: Oct 27th 2011 1:17PM yeppers said

Posted: Oct 27th 2011 1:19PM yeppers said

Posted: Oct 27th 2011 1:56PM Space Cobra said

Posted: Oct 28th 2011 1:34AM RedWolf said

Posted: Oct 27th 2011 12:10PM Unshra said

Posted: Oct 27th 2011 12:11PM nilsmmoblog said

Posted: Oct 27th 2011 12:15PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Oct 27th 2011 12:42PM Space Cobra said

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