Video games - Kingdom of Loathing

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	Video games - Kingdom of Loathing

Kingdom of Loathing (KoL) is a humorous and satirical browser game created by Asymmetric Publications (Zach "Jick" Johnson and Josh "Mr. Skullhead" Nite). It is notable for the usage of simple stick figure graphics and surreal gameplay. The origin of these characters, whether drawn by hand or taken from some computer program, is unknown.

Gameplay and features

The object of the game is to defeat the Naughty Sorceress and free the King of the Kingdom, King Ralph XI. Gameplay involves adventuring through the kingdom while encountering vampires, goblins, bats, and other such beasts, collecting various items, and accumulating meat, which is the in-game currency. Sometimes referred to as turn or tick based gameplay, a player is supplied with a number of adventures each day at a time called "rollover", which starts at 10:30PM EST (GMT -5) and normally lasts 30 minutes. At least 40 adventures are alloted to each player each day, and certain items increase that number when they are either placed at the player's campsite or equipped by the character. Adventures can be increased by consuming food, booze, and by other means (such as campsite furnishings). however, booze must be consumed in moderation, for every time you drink a booze item, an alchohol level rises and you will go in a drunken stupor if you do so too much. Although a player can have more than 200 adventures at one time, the most one can have after rollover is 200. The game is humourous by nature and all quests and battles generally include at least one or two jokes.

In addition to items found while adventuring, players can combine items with meat to get something new. Players can cook food, make cocktails, smith weapons, and make other various types of equipment. Some items can only be made by members of a specific class, which makes them rarer and more valuable. (i.e. pastamancers can make the best food in the game)

The game includes a chat system, available after completing a test to prove one's basic knowledge of English grammar and spelling. There are many channels including "clan" (for people in your clan), "trade" (for the buying and selling of various goods), and even a channel just for haikus. In addition, players can communicate with each other using in-game messages and forums. One may also join a clan, which is a group of players that work together to accomplish a bigger goal, such as figuring out how to beat a quest created by the council of loathing (quest givers) or just to trade items. Other forms of communication are also encouraged, such as meeting outside of the game and the creation of a fan-based radio station, Radio KoL.

The Kingdom

The kingdom itself is full of references to movies, television programs, video games and other forms of entertainment and it is big on online culture (including the use of leet speak). The kingdom is under the terror of the Naughty Sorceress, who holds its king captive and who is fought at the 'end' of the game, before ascension. Most of the power in the Kingdom of Loathing is held by the Council of Loathing, which gives players quests that increase in difficulty as the player becomes stronger. As much as they care about their king, it seems that they are in no particular hurry to aid his rescue. In fact, they tell the player this. The land is filled with monsters, which range from drunken-half orc hobos to hippy sk8boarders to skullbats to furry giants. Although there are theories that they were created by the Naughty Sorceress, they continue to attack even after she's defeated "because they just really hate you".

Classes

Players in the game choose from a number of classes when they sign up for an account:

Seal Clubbers - "Seal Clubbers hail from the frigid Northlands, because one character class always hails from the frigid Northlands. They rely on their Muscle to survive."

An offensive class, with skills that expand their fighting style and help them in combat.

Turtle Tamers - "The Turtle Tamer's mystical connection with his terrapin brethren imbues him with great power. He excels at moving very slowly and winning footraces with smug satisfaction. His Muscle is the key to his success, and to his long lifespan."

A defensive class, with their skills complimenting their defense. can summon turtles to do their dirty work in battle.

Pastamancers - "With his mastery of the arcane secrets of Noodlecraft, the Pastamancer is a force to be reckoned with. He relies on his Mysticality to get ahead in the world."

A crafting/offensive class, with skills to make some of the best foods in the game and very powerful combat spells.

Saucerors - "Long engaged in an uneasy truce with the Pastamancers, the guild of Saucerors protects the secrets of the Ancient Brotherhood of Gravymakers. Their Mysticality is their most important attribute."

A crafting/defensive class, with skills to make powerful stat-boosting potions as well as casting buffs (shields in the form of Saucespheres) on themselves and other players.

Disco Bandits - "The Disco Bandit boogies to and fro, hither and yon. Whence comes he? No man knows. Whither strikes he next? All men live in fear of him and his Moxie."

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Video games - Kingdom of Loathing

Gameplay and features

The Kingdom

Classes

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