http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/107/1076483p1.html
March 10, 2010 - Earlier today I sat down for a meeting with a representative from Toylogic, a development team from Japan that has managed to largely fly under the radar despite the fact that it has lent support to games as widely known as Super Smash Bros. Brawl. This dark horse status may change soon enough as Toylogic begins to get the word out on its upcoming massively multiplayer action game, tentatively titled Happy Wars. If it can live up to its billing, this could be a breakout game.
Happy Wars is currently in development for PC and Xbox Live Arcade, though Toylogic is still searching for a console publisher to help the game take the last few steps onto the console. The concept isn't so much different from Fat Princess on the PlayStation Network. Players are split into two teams and will have to work together in a strategic action game to storm the opponent's castle. Each team has access to three classes – the Warrior, the Mage and the Cleric – and can make use of spells, skills, and defensive turrets and traps to play both offense and defense.
The catch is that Happy Wars supports up to 128 players, connecting that many PCs or 64 Xbox 360s in split-screen mode. If the game begins with less, artificial intelligence will take over to maintain the epic scale.
Of course, big battles aren't the only selling point here. Another interesting feature is that each player begins every game at the first level, but can then gain experience points by defeating enemies or capturing bases. By leveling up, you can gain new spells and finishing moves to help turn the tides of war. The specific spells and skills you earn are randomized, ensuring that each game will be a little bit different for you.
Perhaps more interesting is the idea of formation creation. Players can join together to create flying wedges for melee attacks, or cast mass spells. To help facilitate this across languages, Toylogic is implementing simple battle cries that will be translated to 10 different languages and allow everyone to work together, regardless of where they are in the real world.
I didn't get to see Happy Wars in motion, for that we'll have to wait until closer to E3. Even so, the description sounds tantalizing and has me excited for the possibilities. Happy Wars is on track to be complete sometime next winter. Let's hope a publisher picks it up for the Xbox Live Arcade by then.
