Sony Online Announces Kung Fu Hustle MMO

Sony Online Entertainment has announced the first details of its online multiplayer Kung Fu Hustle, based on the Stephen Chow movie of the same name and developed by its Taipei-based SOGA studio specifically for the Chinese market. Sony Online says the game will combine the best elements of classic fighting games from the past and adds compelling character designs, new technology and trademark humor from the movie for a new generation of gamers." The game will feature a branching story mode where players hone kung fu skills against a number of enemies, including many from the film itself, including Sin, the Sidekick, the Landlady, and the Beast. Players can also take part in a head to head versus mode for up to eight players, cooperate with friends to learn new moves, and observe other matches to size up potential opponents. Said Sony Online's business development and international operations VP David D. Christensen, "Kung Fu Hustle represents a decidedly different and exciting direction for SOE in terms of creating territory-specific content utilizing local development talent." Added SOGA general manager John Laurence on the collaboration with the filmmaker, "Working with Stephen Chow has been a fantastic experience. His sense of humor, directing and martial arts expertise has been an enormous asset for us; he's an avid video game player, with a strong sense of game design."