On this very day of our Lord, September 30th, 2008 – CyberSports have finally launched their new online hockey simulation game, CyberPuck! I’ve been fiddling with it for a few hours now, and although the UI and design still leave a lot to be desired – I think they may be on to something.
We’ve all played hockey simulations and fantasy leagues in the past, but this is something a little different. CyberPuck is more akin to a social network, or some characters from Bard’s Tale walking wearing goalie pads than anything I’ve ever played before. I haven’t spent enough time with the game yet to warrant calling this article a review – but I’m very intrigued and will stick with it for at least a few games.
So far I have created a player named Tie Domi, been drafted by a team called the Sunshine Sultys, hired a trainer to help me with my wristshot and received my weekly salary of $2,500. To be perfectly honest… I’m a little confused by everything you’re initially presented with (sections for training, equipment, leagues, matches, contracts, tactics, fighting, betting, fixtures, cyberpoints, etc.) but eventually I know I’ll be happy with the game’s depth.
My first game is tomorrow and I am anxious to see how my team, the scourge of the Armenian hockey league (although I requested to be drafted by one in Canada), fares in this new world. Perhaps in this case MMORPG will stand for “Many Men Out Reclaiming Past Glories” as opposed to “Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game”.
If you give this a try, or were an alpha tester, tell us what you think. Likewise, if you’ve kicked the tires on their other games – CyberSlam and CyberSoccer – fill us in. Click here to join the fun. I think these crazy kids just might have a great idea on their hands.