Under (virtual) construction
But there is plenty more to do in Oz World than just fishing and shopping. Level Up! regularly holds
all sorts of contests in the game, from cheerleading competitions, skit staging, various parlor games
and of course, fishing contests.
Upcoming attractions are new clothes uniquely designed by Level Up!, as well as new mini games like
card games. Very soon, too, all music in Oz World will be tunes exclusively provided by EMI Philippines.
Oz World citizens
Since its introduction to the Philippines, Oz World has grown with at least 25 tight knit "clans" or online
families. These clans range from those romantic in nature to those that are like brother-sister type of
families. For some, it has resulted in across-the-nation, sometimes even international, online friendships.
Oz World was introduced to Korea, Japan and Singapore, but it was in the Philippines where the online
community thrived best, probably due to our friendly nature.
Take Oz players Linux and Coolchick, for example. The couple first met online by chance chatting and
were later drawn to become special friends when they met in person.
Another player, Markymark, previously had problems with his girlfriend who didn't understand the
hours he spent in front of his computer monitor. Once his girlfriend tried Oz World with him, she learned
to appreciate his online interest. Now the young couple "live together" by sharing an online apartment,
and have a large number of mutual Oz friends. While games like Counterstrike appealed mostly to males,
Oz World is something completely different and non-violent. It is even a social game that appeals just as
much to girls as it does to guys.
Level Up! believes that while most games are meant to be played, some are lived out. To support
this interactive game objective for Oz World, a number of regular EB (eyeball) activities are organized
for players to further bond in this loyal and close-knit virtual community.
On a number of occasions, Level Up! had celebrities like Maui Taylor and Katya Santos strut their
virtual characters in Oz while promoting their movie "Sex Drive". Oz has also seen the likes of TV stars
Luis Alandy, Karel Marquez, Rafael Rosell, Meg Reyes and the Power Four.
But even more interesting for me is that I've made friends with a number of Filipinos in far flung places:
Bishoujo, the 16-year old girl from Maryland who is in the 9th grade; Mykel53, a 19-year old from Olongapo
who keeps asking if he can apply to be Juicy's boyfriend; New*Bie from Cotobato who taught me where
I could catch high gold value snake fish, and Gmkfree who so thoughtfully calls up Juicy on her Oz
cellphone and gives her gifts whenever he catches her online.
Juicy now
At the moment, Juicy doesn't have a budding romance. She's still struggling with her fishing skills to save
up for an apartment, while trying to persuade herself that she doesn't need a new top or another pair of
shoes. Sounds a lot like my real life, actually. The amusing part is that many times I'll be fishing and
chatting with another guy who wants to know if he can call me after I log off, only for me to find out that
he is still in college, or worse, in high school!
After the printing of this article my disguise will be blown and alas, the truth will come out that Juicy is
not quite the 23 year older writer that she claims to be when asked for her "ASL". But then again, I have
the feeling that not everyone online seems to always tell ALL the truth in Oz World, unless they want to.
Not all chat can be read by everyone, and more than once I have "whispered" private conversations that
only close online friends could read. I've also taken long private walks bathed in Oz moonlight with special
friends. Would you believe I've been even invited for a "one on one" to another's online apartment - but I
won't tell you what happened behind the virtual closed doors. If you want to know, you'll have to log on and
ask Juicy yourself.
(Cristina Peczon can be reached at crispeczon@yahoo.com)
