Even More Rockman Online Tidbits

When it rains it pours. We've got a some new bits of Rockman Online info coming from an interview with a Neowiz staff member Min conducted at G-Star 2010, translated by the crew at Mega Man X9.com. Below, I've provided highlights of some of the more noteworthy bits; for the full read, you'll have to hop on over to MMX9.

• Rockman Online is roughly 30-40% complete, with large scale testing set to take place next year.
• Instead of immediately dying when falling into a pit, your character will be repositioned losing health.
• Min touched upon the game's stages, specifically outlining scenarios that involve escorting an NPC instead of simply battling your way to a boss.
• Neowiz are currently undecided if Ride Chaser-oriented stages will appear.
• Proto Man and Bass are not playable characters. 

Additional details about the game have also surfaced via a Game Watch report, translated by The Mega Man Network:

• NeoWiz is aiming to have a closed beta test started during the first half of next year.
• The game was originally planned to be an MMORPG, but is now being developed as just an MORPG.
• The G-Star demo featured the Gaia area, which contained the forest stage and secret base stage. Additional areas being planned include Atlas, Oceanus and Nike.
• Besides X, Zero and Duo, Cinnamon is indeed an additional character type, and they are thinking of adding 2-3 more.
• Stages are being planned with three levels of difficulty, and the G-Star demo represented the absolute middle. Having four players is recommended to tackle the game’s hardest difficulty.
• One of X’s special attacks is described as a Capoeira-style spinning kick he can do in the air to repeatedly hit enemies at close range.
• Trap elements include items like decayed floors, bombs and switches to open and close doors.
• One of the features of the game will be “up and down” movement. Despite being a 2D platformer, this will make use of the 3D graphics to bring out more depth. (Perhaps like Metroid Other M).
• There are five points of character customization: head, body, weapon, legs and case (presumably for a carry-on item). The more you level up, the better equipment you can use, and already there is equipment as high as level 50.
• The matching lobby will be able to hold roughly 200 players, where they can buy equipment and communicate with one another. PVP is also planned on being added.

Credits: Mega Man X9.com, The Mega Man Network