Even though most of them are new, unlike some dinosaurs in the company like muah, the PW team are a force to be reckoned with. Rawrr!!!

Toiling day and night to bring you this much anticipated game from China, the PW team are hard-working, dynamic and creative!

With the guidance of new Marketing Manager for acquisition games – Randy, they’re glad that, finally, Perfect World is now in Open Beta. Everyone’s excited as we see the CCU numbers go up by the minute!

From left to right: Brand Manager Joel, Assistant Brand Manager Marjorie (The beauty with the beasts?), Community Manager JP and Team Leader (Marketing Manager) Randy

Their answer to my interview questions after the jump…

First off is Mr. Joel Salvador (who is a notorious Donut lover!).

I wanted to know his thoughts that now PW is finally in Open Beta (and the numbers are constantly increasing), I ask him “what’s racing through your mind (after all the hard work)?”

JOEL: A mix of both relief and bracing. Perfect World wasn’t easy to launch, especially with the pressure that the game’s name put on all of us. The proverbial “many lives were lost” to bring us where we are today, so seeing the games growing numbers elates everyone involved. It’s like watching your first born baby emerge healthy and strong. But we also can’t help but feel anxious as to what the near future will bring for our new game. We’re all excited of course, but at the back of our minds we know that the battle isn’t yet won. There’s still a tight knot in my stomach. We have to brace ourselves and keep up the drive so that all we’ve worked for so far won’t just normalize to being just another game. We continue to strive to keep Perfect World as close to perfection as possible.

I LOVE DONUTS: No, I am NOT Homer Simpson! BM Joel Salvador

GM T: Any words of thanks or encouragement that you’d like to share with the community and those who helped?

JOEL: As I’ve mentioned, a whole lot of people gave their all just so we can be where we are today. Both within and outside Level Up! there have been those that have truly dedicated a significant part of their lives to smooth out the creases as best they could, and make this game as close to what the anticipative community expects. To all those that helped out, the Level Up! team and the gaming community, we owe it to keep Perfect World delivering on its promise of being such.

GM T: What are your plans for PW in the months to come?

JOEL: We’ve got a whole lot lined up for Perfect World, both within the game and in real life. Even above the enormity of the game, we’ll be holding numerous in-game events like treasure hunts, customization/crafting contests, special quests and a lot more. Outside the game we’re sending people on trips to perfect getaway destinations like Boracay and Hong Kong. Our task is two-fold. First, we want to show everyone out there, both hardcore and casual gamer and even non-gamers, that there’s something for them in Perfect World. It’s only your world if you get your way, and that’s exactly what Perfect World is all about. Our second goal is to blur the line that separates the real world from Perfect World. Since you don’t simply play Perfect World but actually live out a new life in the game, it’s a venue for you to discover your true potential, be it as an artist, a team-player, a goal-driven achiever, a social animal or a builder.

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Now it’s time to grill one of my Padawan apprentices, JP, the new Community Manager of PW.

LONG ANSWERS ROOL!: PW CM JP Pelayo 

GM T: How’s the community reacting to the current Open Beta scenario?

JP: The Perfect World Community, at its early stages such as now, is a very warm and close community. Since we officially shut down the sneak peak last July 11, apparently a lot of people got attached to the game with dozens of guilds/clans quickly being formed for open beta. There was even a celebration of the closing of our sneak peak. Some of our most active players were online to bid farewell to their CBT characters and new found friends. There were fireworks, clan pictorials and massive dueling in Archosaur city until the servers had to be shut down for the preparations on Open Beta.

There are plenty indications of the vitality of the Perfect World Community. Normally when any game launches, it is the first server that has the highest population. In the case of Perfect World, most of the active guilds had already planned to enter the Dragon server which is evident because as of to date, Dragon server still has a bigger population than Tiger. Another gauge of a growing community is the multitude of questions that are asked both on the forums and inside the game.

Before Open Beta was released, the community was full of anticipation and eagerness to start with the great adventure in Perfect World. Now that they are already experiencing Perfect World first hand, the community is already anticipating something bigger and much more exciting! One of the main features of Perfect World is the City Battle, where guilds can occupy towns and cities and defend them from other guilds who wish to expand or gain new territories! PvP strategies have already begun to circulate and questions if Perfect World would be included in Level Up Live.

GM T: Hmmm…you could win the annual “long answer award”. Anyways, were there any problems you encountered? What are the solutions?

JP: As with any new game released, it’s difficult to be able anticipate all of the problems properly. One of the biggest problems being encountered by our community is the availability of the Perfect World Open Beta Installers. To address this issue, we have already posted in our website a link where players may download the installer. We have also initiated a rollout program to our key cafes nationwide where players can play perfect world on the computers in the café. Players may also get copies of the Installers from any Netopia branch near them (only 10 cd’s will be given away per branch on a first come, first served basis).
Another problem we encountered is the multitude of questions about quests, items, characters, anything and everything about Perfect World. Being a healthy and thriving community, the Perfect World team created the Perfect World Wiki! With the Wiki, you can shape an even more Perfect World as you share, edit, and update everything you ever wanted about the game – absolutely free and open to all players! Create new articles and correct certain facts, or provide additional information on already existing ones.

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Meanwhile, Assistant Brand Manager, Marjorie (ever the pretty smile that completes our day) shares with me her thoughts on seeing LOTS of players on the Open Beta:

Marjo: I had mixed emotions. 1 hour before the launch of Perfect World, I was so nervous, tensed and at the same time, excited. I’m so thrilled because finally PW is now open for everyone. The moment I enter the game, I cant help but to smile. I saw a lot of characters running around. A lot of players are inviting me to join their party. The community is so nice. Also, I’m so grateful that a lot of players supported Perfect World.

GM T: How’s it like to be working with the PW team?

Marjo: I’m so lucky to be part of Perfect World. I love the whole gang of PW team. I enjoy working with them. They are so supportive and helpful. WE BLEND SO MUCH… I’m looking forward on our team building session. Go team! PS. Thanks Sir Oneil, Sir Joel, JP, Junnie, Chase and Carl! Oh btw, here’s my friendster page

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Whew! Thanks guys for taking time for the interview. Again, my congratulations on the succesful Open Beta launch… best of luck in your future plans!

Great job! Keep it up…

Mabuhay!

GM T