Shot Online

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Shot-Online is an online golf game. It is a 3D massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) allowing character development and play against other users.

ShotOnline (Shot Online)
File:Sologo.gif
Developer(s)OnNet Co. Ltd.
Publisher(s)OnNet USA inc
Designer(s)OnNet Co. Ltd.
EngineOnNet Co. Ltd.
Platform(s)PC
ReleaseFree to Play
Genre(s)MMORPG Golf
Mode(s)Multiplayer

Playing the Game

Introduction

As with other role-playing games, your first step is to create a character. For Shot Online, as of this writing there are six different character types. Each character type has a unique appearance along with a unique set of stats. After completing a tutorial that explains the basics of swinging, putting, choosing clubs, etc., your character will enter the Shot-Online virtual world, which consists of:

  • The Square - the common area where players gather to interact with other players, to rest after a round (periodically required to reduce fatigue), or to visit NPCs.
  • Various 18-hole golf courses of varying difficulty. (Eleven courses as of this writing.)
  • A driving range, putting green and other practice areas.

Gameplay is fairly straightforward. You can play by yourself or with up to three other players. By playing, your character earns experience points and in-game currency. More experience is awarded when playing with others. When you accumulate enough experience points, your character will advance to the next level which allows you to boost your stats. When you accumulate enough currency (called "NG"), you can use it to purchase items such as new clubs, balls, clothing, greens fees, club repair fees, etc.

The Square

File:Soworldshot.gif

The Square is the place where all trading and upgrading takes place in the Shot Online world. Several NPCs populate this virtual world and you may interact with them. Some of them are:

  • Salvador: For golf club purchases
  • Ceridwen: For training and driving ranges
  • Potter: For collecting your website paid items and storage
  • Baxter: For tournaments in progress
  • Melias: For items related to events
  • Fricka: For clothing purchases
  • Freya: For purchasing balls and shoes

The Square is an excellent place to find or make friends and use the chat capability. The Square is often policed by a Game Master or an SO Master so it's fairly safe for younger children to hang around this area too.

Taking a Shot

File:Sotakeshot.gif File:Soshot1.gif

Before taking a shot (swinging), a ball-icon is used to select the club type as well as to add ball motion if desired.

Move the red dot on the ball using a right-click to add the desired effect: hook, draw, top spin or backspin. These effects are usable only for characters with sufficient experience points, and work best for high number clubs.

Left clicking the golf bag brings up a club selection option. During club selection, the use of the Tab key is helpful.

The Tab key diplays a close-up of the ideal result for an accurate shot, applying 100% power, under perfect environmental conditions. The Ctrl key can also be used for an alternative view. Alt-G can also be used to display the slope of the green.

  • Adjust the aim by using the left/right arrows or the mouse. Note that ideal conditions -- ball lie, wind, degree of cloud cover, and perhaps more -- are assumed when displaying a target. These conditions may NOT reflect the current situation and club selection should be altered accordingly.

To take the shot, a digital swing bar (similar to those in other golf games) is used.

The Shot Online Beginners Guide has a nice depiction of the swing bar and ball control at http://www.shot-online.com/z2/i/guide/bar.gif

  • It takes 3 clicks to swing: the first starts the swing, the 2nd determine the power, and the 3rd determines accuracy.
  • The swing bar has the range of -10% to +110%. Hitting exactly 100% on the 2nd click, and exactly 0% on the 3rd click, will give you a "nice shot." (See below for shot bonuses.) Going under 100% on the second click reduces power, but going over tends to magnify any accuracy errors. The deviation from 0% on the 3rd click determines your shot's accuracy. (Skipping the 3rd click entirely allows you to start your swing again.)

Putting on the green is a special situation in several ways:

  • The putter is auto-selected and environmental conditions do not come into play.
  • Only two clicks on the swing bar are required to putt -- the 3rd click (accuracy) is not utilized.

Environmental Factors

There are many factors which can affect your shot, and which should be considered and compensated for during club selection, when aiming, and when determining your shot power. The factors are:

  • Wind

Wind will affect your shot either to your advantage or adversely. A strong tail wind will aid in carrying your ball a much greater distance. A head wind will adversely affect your shot, reducing the distance. Other wind types within the game also may affect the direction of your shot.

  • Weather

There are three types of weather within the game: Cloudy, Rainy or Sunny. There is also a temperature factor. All of these can affect your shot. On a sunny day your ball will travel the expected distance with very little, but some, interference from the temperature. On a cloudy day your ball will travel up to 10% less distance with a little interference from the temperature. The temperature being low will reduce the distance and the opposite for high tempratures. On a rainy day distance is affected a little more than on cloudy.

  • Lie of the ball

If your ball is on a flat surface within the fairway, there is no need to compensate for any surface conditions. If you ball is on a sloped surface, you must compensate for it when aiming your shot. For example, if your ball is on a slope angled down to the left, the ball is likely to fly off to the left when you take your shot so you should compensate for this. Here is a breakdown of the types of lies:

    • Tee/Cart Path - 98-100% shot power, high bounce on cart path. Very unlikely to land a ball on an in-play cart path. Driver used on tee shots only.
    • Green - shot power varies depending on green slope and putter, but usually translates to about 100% = 25 yards. Shot speed bar slows down a little while putting. Low bounce but lots of roll. Difficult to land a ball on the green with a larger club (ex: 3W). You can chip while on the green, however the shot bar speed dramatically increases and is not generally recommended.
    • Fairway - 98-100% shot power depending on lie. Normal bounce and small roll.
    • Rough - 82-100% shot power. Less bounce and roll than fairway. 3W and 5W shots will have even less power to them.
    • Sand - 67-82% shot power. No bounce and very little roll. Woods not recommended for this condition. Shot power bar increases in speed (unless noted by club, example a high-level SW).

The above are all factors which have to be compensated for in order to play well. The physics engine in Shot Online ensures that these factors affect your ball in a very realistic manner so it shouldn't be much different to deciding a shot in real life golf. Even if you have no real world golf experience, you'll learn to deal with the various types of shots.

In-Game Currency

The in-game currency of Shot Online is called NG (which has been referred to as "Not Gold"). NGs can be earned by playing rounds of golf and even by practicing.

After a shot or completion of a hole, depending upon many factors (see Penalties and Bonuses below), you may receive NGs (as well as experience points).

When you accumulate enough currency, you can purchase items such as new clubs, balls and clothing from players or NPCs alike. NGs are also used to pay greens fees, club repair fees, etc.

Penalties and Bonuses

Penalties are as follows:

    • Water/Water Edge - One stroke penalty, ball is placed at the last playable area from where it went out. Note that the dirt area surrounding the water also counts as water, however the ball is placed at a safe drop with no shot penalty if it lands here.
    • Out of Bounds - One stroke penalty, ball is placed at the same place as the prior shot. Out of Bounds is designated by a light or dark change in grass, cliff areas, or where designated on the course.
    • Shot Clock Violation (2+ players only) - If a player does not shoot within the round's designated time limit on a shot, that person receives a one stroke penalty and all golfers cycle through with the violator being last. If the person violates the shot clock twice in a row that player is removed from the round.

Bonuses are given for shots and hole results as follows:

  • Hole In One

A person scoring a hole in one receives 100,000 NG

  • Albatross

A person scoring an albatross (3 under par) receives 200,000 NG

  • Chip In

A chip or putt from off the green that goes in (eagle or above) receives a 1000 NG bonus.

  • Long Putt

A putt that goes in from an exceeding length (around 15-20 yds) receives an extra 200 NG.

  • Nice Shot

If you manage to make a 100% accurate shot (hit the 100% marker and the 0% marker exactly) you will receive a Nice Shot bonus of 200 NG

  • Accurate Shot

If you manage to hit exactly 0% on your 3rd Click (accuracy click) you will receive an Accurate Shot bonus of 100NG.

  • Farthest Shot Renewed

If your tee shot exceeds your personal farthest tee shot you will receive 1000 NG.

  • Hole Out Bonus

When a hole is completed, NG and EXP are awarded based on the player's level and hole score. This varies depending on the number of players and the current level of the player, in addition to the nature of the hole.

Missions

Every so often OnNet will release bonus missions for a period of time. The object of a mission is to have all golfers playing the round make a certain score (usually it's par or better) on a given hole. If all golfers fulfill the mission each one receives a prize or NG. Missions occur randomly with each hole in a time period and are only available for rounds with 2 or more players. The mission still counts if a person that quits did not complete it but all others did. Those players that did will receive the reward.

Along with many other bonuses involving experience. The better your Hole-Out, the more EXP and NG you will receive. However, some courses are extremely difficult and you will be lucky to get a par let alone a birdie or eagle.

Guilds

Shot-Online offers the ability to create guilds. Guilds are limited to start, with very little function. But as you level your character up, if you are part of a guild, 10% of your EXP will be translated into Guild Points or GP. So every time you Hole-Out and receive experience, your guild will also receive experience. When the GP gets to a certain number, the guild will grade up. When you move up a grade you will be given new functions like: The ability to fire members, The ability to hire more members, the ability to promote a sub master and so on. The grades run from A - G. G being the lowest. But be prepared for the grade up process to take an extensive amount of time and effort.

Player Levels

There are four types of player levels in Shot Online. As a person advances in level more options are made available, such as the ability to create guilds, use more clubs, and overall do better on the course. When a player achieves "level-up" during a game, their Fatigue drops to zero.

Levels and distinct characteristics are as follows:

  • Beginner (Levels 1-20)

PRO: Extra EXP is awarded when other beginners score par or better. All other golfers in a round receive extra EXP when you the beginner score par or better. Starts from the tee nearest to the green.

CON: Cannot use other in-game clubs until level 21, except for Item Mall purchases noted otherwise.

  • Amateur (Levels 21 and up)

PRO: Can use in-game purchased clubs

CON: Beginner benefits removed, drives from second farthest tee back.

  • Semi-Pro (Levels 41 and up - pass Semi-Pro Test)

PRO: Semi-Pro players receive a 100% EXP bonus to experience on a birdie, eagle, albatross and hole in one. All golfers that play with a Semi-Pro receive a 50% XP bonus. The Abel Plena course and Scratch play are also unlocked for Semi-Pro players in addition to a higher level set of clubs.

CON: Player must pass a Semi-Pro test held every two weeks by paying a 250,000 NG fee and shooting under 68 at Gladsheim, in addition to having a minimum level of 41. Player must also have a minimum HDCP of -4. Semi-Pros also shoot from the farthest tee from the green.

  • Pro (Level 61, been semi-pro 3 months + pass Pro Test)

PRO: Semi-Pro players receive 1.2 times XP when playing with Pro. Able to enter into Pro tournaments.

CON: Player must pass a Pro test held every month. Entry is restricted to 200 players per month. Entry fee is 1,000,000NG and shooting -12 at both Hela and Forneus courses in addition to having been a semi-pro for at least 3 months.

The Chat Interface

The chat interface of Shot Online is fairly easy to get used to. While not the best chat interface out there, it does support the basic functions which you see in most MMORPG games.

  • General Chat

Used for talking to everyone at the same time in the Square. Also used to talk to the other players on your course during a game.

  • Private chat

Used for talking to an individual privately.

  • Guild Chat

Used for talking to your guild members only. (Guild chat can only be used when a Guild has reached their next level.)

Starting a Game

To join a course you must enter the waiting room. This may be done either from the Square or directly after selecting your character. The waiting room is list of games currently in progress.
There are several options when in the waiting room:

  • Join a game

By clicking the "join" button on a listed game, you can enter someone elses created room. However, you'd better pray to God that you don't try to fill the last spot in a room at the same time as another player, or you will inevitably be stuck on the loading screen until the game starts.

  • Create a game

By clicking "Create a Game" you will be given options to create your own room. The options include Level restriction, course, room name, player limit and password.

  • Join with Number

If your friends already have a game going and you want to join it but can't see it on the list. "Join with Number" allows you to enter their room number and automatically join it.

  • Random Join

This will randomly join a room which is open or has available spaces.

  • Show Open rooms

This option will display only the open rooms or rooms which have spaces available.

  • Gallery Mode

This allows you to enter a game which is in progress and full. This is aspecialy useful for when the large tournaments are on and you wish to view the action. You can chat with the players whilst in gallery mode.

  • Game Types

Stroke - Standard golf-scoring format where the objective is to achieve the lowest score possible. NG and EXP are awarded, with more depending on hole score and the number of players. In 2-4 player rounds the best round score wins NG based on the number of holes played:

1-3 holes : Green Fee X 1
6 Holes : Green Fee X 2
9 Holes : Green Fee X 3
18 Holes : Green Fee X 6

Match (2 players required) - In this mode players shoot for the best hole score. The person with the best hole score wins the hole, and the person who wins more than 50% of the holes wins the round. No NG is awarded in this mode based on individual shots, however the round winner still receives the end-round NG bonus. EXP is awarded, with more going to the hole winner and less going to the hole loser. The round ends after someone wins more than the majority of the holes.

Skins (2-4 players required) - All players pay a specified amount per hole to put into a pot. The person with the best hole score wins the pot. If two or more players tie for the best hole score the pot is carried over to the next hole and gets larger until someone wins it. If there is a tie on the last hole of a round the pot is split between the top hole scores. EXP is awarded in this mode, and NG is awarded only when you win a hole.

Courses

Course Description

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Shot Online offers a wide variety in courses, each of which can be very challenging and hard to master but very enjoyable. Courses have different green fees, and playing them provides varying bonuses (see Penalties and Bonuses) and experience points depending upon the difficulty.

  • Sosori

The newest Shot-Online course. Known for it's wide fairways and white dogwood trees.

  • Alfheim

It's a good course for Shot-Online beginners and is also the easiest course in the game. Large fairways and greens promise new players a solid game if they start with a relaxed mindset.

  • Fensalir

Fensalir has narrow fairways and difficult holes; it's suitable for strategic players with course management skills.

  • Gladsheim

Gladsheim is suitable overall for skilled amateur players. This is also the course used for the semi-pro qualifying test.

  • Hela

Don't let the charming rustic look fool you. Hela has numerous water hazards scattered through the course's holes. It is one of most difficult courses in Shot-Online.

  • Midas Valley

Midas Valley is world-famous for its stunning vista. And you can play as the pros do, because this is a real live course in South Korea.

  • NamChon CC

With broad and easy-to-hit up and down fairway, Namchon CC is loved by a wide variety of players in South Korea - and in Shot-Online.

  • Forneus

Experience dangerous tropical beauty in Forneus, featuring well-placed archipelagos, palm trees galore, and of course, sun and surf.

  • Wattsu

This is real existing golf course in Hokkaido, Japan. The courses gorgeous outlay of nature and its beauty attracts many golfers but its tricky landform makes it suited for intermediate or above players

  • Rufus Arena

Feel the power of shifting desert sands and an array of obstacles in Rufus Arena. Players can make a par on this course, but don't expect an easy birdie!

  • Abel Plena

Named after the "Energizing Life force". This course is especially suitable for long and power drivers because of its extremely long distances. Semi-Pro exclusive course that brings you a new experience, playing in ancient structures and natural surroundings.

  • Karuizawa72 NorthC

It's not as easy as the other real courses of this game, with a narrow playing field and a possibility of some holes to go OB easily. Distances aren't really a problem, it require some good skill and to be attentive to the environement.

  • Random Course

Not an actual course per se, but a random course and hole number is selected for each hole in a round. It is possible to play the same exact hole twice or more in a given round. Random Course can select from every course in Shot Online, including Abel Plena. Thus it makes a round interesting and exciting for all levels.

These courses are just a few of what the game has. Some of the courses are not popular at all due to low experience rates, but are fun to play non the less. Additional courses could be introduced in the future.

Greens Fee

You pay once for each game regardless of the number of holes you play on a course. The Greens Fee (in NGs) are as follows:

- Alfheim/Sosori/Random : 1,000
- Fensalir/Namchon CC/Midas Valley : 2,000
- Gladsheim/Wattsu/Karuizawa: 3,000
- Hela/Forneus: 5,000
- Rufus Arena 8,000
- Abel Plena 10,000

Stats

Handicap

A new character begins with a HDCP of 28. The HDCP can not go up, but only playing an 18 hole game will reduce it. After an 18 hole game is completed, your new HDCP will be the average of your score and your starting HDCP.

Stats

As with most MMORPG games, Shot Online has a stat system. Stats are used to improve your character's abilities. You gain stat points as you level up, these stat points can be distributed into the following as you please:

  • Power

The Power of your shots. Higher power means the ball goes farther.

  • Impact

High impact helps the player when 0% is missed on the 3rd click of the mouse. Also increases height of a shot. Recommended to stay equal or just below Power.

  • Stamina

How quickly or slowly the player fatigues. (Fatigue generally increases as a game progresses. It drops to zero when a "level-up" occurs, and may be reduced by resting on a bench in the Square between games, or by drinking nectar purchased in the square.) Some clubs purchased in-game also REQUIRE a certain Stamina number in order to utilize the club.

  • Skill

Back/Top/draw/fade shot can be performed with high skill points. (Usually +10 Skill will be sufficient.)

Characters

There are 6 character types to choose from within the game as of this time. Each of them has their own starting stats which you should consider when making a character.

Albus

Albus character
Albus character

Starting stats:

  • Power 4
  • Impact 8
  • Stamina 2
  • Skill 8

When he was young, he was one of the greatest golfers in the world. He may be a little clumsy with bit of a belly, and have a hard time making his hip rotate but nobody can take him easily on the field. Albus character can only be created by Gold or Gold Plus members.

Belzebuit

Belzebuit character
Belzebuit character

Starting stats:

  • Power 7
  • Impact 5
  • Stamina 6
  • Skill 2

Cold and rebellious. With a magnificent charisma balanced by a levelheaded approach on the golf course, he can overwhelm many players, even though he is a young man. Because of these characteristics, he is nicknamed the "Ice Prince".

Erda

Erda character
Erda character

Starting stats:

  • Power 5
  • Impact 3
  • Stamina 4
  • Skill 4

Wise and calm. Displaying excellence on and off the golf course - yet still modest, all expect her to be the cream of the crop. She has a nickname of Erda meaning the "Goodness of Wisdom".

Shaoring

Shaoring character
Shaoring character

Starting stats:

  • Power 4
  • Impact 8
  • Stamina 4
  • Skill 4

Cute, charming and outgoing. She often acts recklessly and impulsively, but not in the field. She has been given the fitting nickname of "little sprite".

Wotan

Wotan character
Wotan character

Starting stats:

  • Power 9
  • Impact 1
  • Stamina 9
  • Skill 1

Reserved and earnest. Through great effort, he ranks as one of the top golfers even though he lost one eye in an accident.

Zygmunt

Zygmunt character
Zygmunt character

Starting stats:

  • Power 4
  • Impact 6
  • Stamina 2
  • Skill 8

He is free-spirited and in possession of a passionate character. Also worth noting is that he is the only left-handed player in Shot-Online.

Equipment

Shot-Online features a wide array of equipment to choose from. Ranging from clothing to clubs to ball types.

  • Clubs

The clubs are character specific and will affect your shots depending on their given stats. Most clubs you can buy within the game are dependent on your level, meaning they have a level requirement to use, but clubs purchased from the item mall do not have a level requirement in most cases. If a player really wants to spend some money on their new character, they can do, and they will have the advantage over others.

  • Clothing

Clothing is for the dildo ppart, purely aesthetic in nature. However, every now and then Shot Online holds events in which you can obtain clothing that increases a stat or effects your shot in some way. There is a wide variety in clothing options for every character type. You can change your Hair, Shirt, Pants (trousers) and shoes.

  • Balls Types

Balls are soft, types are varied, there are balls to increase each of your stats and ball types to give control or power for each of the stat categories. There are also ball types available on the item mall page which give +2 into 2 separate stats. Ball types are separated into two groups: Shot On 2 Pieces and Shot On 3 Pieces. The Shot On 2 Piece balls give more power in your shot. The Shot On 3 piece balls give you a little more control.

Overall the range of items is pretty impressive and always on the increase. Most items are available within the game but some can only be located in the Item Mall of the website.

The Item Mall

Shot-Online is 100% free to play. However, one can gain a fair advantage in terms of club selection by purchasing via credit card or Paypal items from the game and items sold on the site that are not sold within the game. Examples of site-exclusive items are tokens that multiply the amount of experience and NG per hole, stat-boosting clothing, and stat modifiers as just a few examples. In addition to that, the site sells the higher level golf clubs. When a person purchases a club through the Item Mall the person can use that club regardless of level. Since beginners cannot buy clubs until level 21, it puts the purchaser at a greater advantage.

The Item Mall also sells Gold and Gold Plus Memberships that are good for one month. According to Shot Online's website, here is what each offers:

Gold Membership -50% greens discount -30% in-game vendors discount -Locker is free -Trading between users is free -One Mageia I (Double Experience for 100 Holes when equipped) -One Cyma II (Triple NG for 250 holes when equipped) -User may define custom skins game bets

Gold Plus Membership - Green fees for yourself are totally free PLUS 50% discount for a companion's greens fee - 30% discount on item's price from NPC vendors. (This does not include items from the item mall) - Locker fee is free - Trade (between users) is free - Receive 1,000,000 NG - Receive one Mageia II (Double Experience for 250 Holes when equipped) - Receive one cyma II (Triple NG for 250 holes when equipped) - User may define custom skins game bets

Gold Members' character names are noted within the game in yellow text and Gold Plus members in orange text.

In addition to the above benefits only Gold and Gold Plus players can create a character using Albus, which has two extra stat points than the other golfers.

Other Items:

Mageia I (Double Experience for 100 holes) Mageia II (Double Experience for 250 holes) Cyma I (Triple NG for 100 holes) Cyma II (Triple NG for 250 holes) Mopsos I (No Fatigue for 100 holes) Mopsos II (No Fatigue for 250 holes) FedoraA100 (reset all stats)

The Staff

Shot-Online is staffed in a unique way. There are helpers who are volunteers called "SO Masters." These players are some of the most skilled in the game and are employed to assist new comers. The SO Masters are elected on a monthly basis via applications made directly to the GMs. This means that every month a new set of helpers is hired. After a month, the SO Master of the Month is selected. This is the helper which aided the most newcomers and did a thorough job of doing so. The SO Master of the Month is given a personal interview and their own web entry containing this interview. Other than the volunteer staff, there are also very vigilant Game Masters. These Game Masters are there to police the game and aid in technical support. Technical support is given in the form of a "Direct Q&A". This is where users can post direct questions to the GMs and have them answered on a 1 to 1 basis.

About OnNet

Founded in 1996, OnNet Co., Ltd is the developer and operator behind the online golfing game, Shot-Online. OnNet USA Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of OnNet Co, Ltd., was founded in November 2005, and is the Shot-Online International Service Provider.

Summary

Shot-Online is a very enjoyable game which is extremely easy to learn. The part which stands out the most is the realism which many other games lack. There is great potential for expansion in the future and this is why most people will stick with the game. The fact that the game is completely free to play means that the community within the game is fairly large in comparison to some games which only allow a 1 week trial. This game is recommended for young and old alike.

Guilds: