The Witcher: Versus

The Witcher: DuelMail is a Flash-based fighting multiplayer browser game, developed for CD Projekt RED by one2tribe, that has you create a character from one of three classes and challenge other players to deadly battles.

DuelMail just launched in closed beta on March 31, 2008, with the open beta beginning on April 7. The final version should launch in May sometime.

When you first sign up for DuelMail, which is tied into your thewitcher.com forum account if you have one, you choose from one of three character classes: Witcher, Sorceress and Frightener. Naturally, you start out at level 1.

Each class comes with its own set of attacks and defensive maneuvers, which you'll cue up as you challenge other real people. When your opponent receives the challenge, he/she cues up his/her own set of attacks and defensive moves, and the battle plays out with motion-capture animations in a nice-looking rendered environment.

As you win battles, you'll gain experience to increase your character level, learn new skills and more (again, something I haven't done). You'll also earn Orens (The Witcher's currency) to buy new items and weapons.

Initially the game works as a bit of a rock-paper-scissors clone, expanding into something deeper as you gain levels and make your character more powerful. Player rankings are updated in real time, and you can even go back and review your own fights and those of others. Then use the handy E-Mail feature to challenge people who aren't even signed up on the forums.