SoCal GenCon Interviews #1: PoxNora

The Modernistic Retrofitted Game - PoxNora
By Shawn "Templeton" Silverman and Derek "Zie" Hernandez

Don't quite know what you are in the mood for? Or perhaps, cannot decide between your favorite tabletop, trading cards, or online game? Well then, let PoxNora, by Octopi, shatter your indecision!

Based in Tucson, Arizona, Octopi is a relatively new face in the gaming industry with big ambitions. Formerly known for their projects in mobile devices, the company is breaking into the more mainstream of medias, computers -- with some fresh retrofitted ideas.

In their latest Java based cross-platform game, Octopi brings together elements of tabletop "miniatures" strategy games, T.C.G.'s, and online play into a vast global competition. Currently with approximately 160,000 registered users, PoxNora's customer base has been doubling every month.

PoxNora is a free, I repeat, free multiplayer turned based strategy game based in a world of wonder and imagination. And in this realm, exotic creatures called "runes" strive for power with the aid of magical relics.

Presently with a One-on-One turn-based system, users play with digital miniatures across one of 7 maps with the intentions to obliterate their rival's base tower and win the game. But unlike the company's competitors and predecessors, one's runes can become unique against a rivaling twin. As you play more games, your Champion units obtain more experience which in turn allows for its owner to update their rune in a new way. They also have the choice to use relics and other items on the Champions which give it a permanent boost or attribute.

Having launched this year, with its high demand of more content by its hungry players, PoxNora released its first expansion last month in October, and prepares for a second in December. However, if you are ready to move on to a more advanced deck or simply which to obtain something else, there is a fully featured Rune Trading Service which you may exchange your selected runes to those of another person, or visit the official Rune Store available on the website.

For an extra dash of spice, for those of you daring enough to confront a god, Octopi employees and PoxNora developers openly play the game themselves, as well as actively accept challenges.