Rag Doll Kung Fu preload begins

The first wholly independent game to be digitally distributed through Valve's Steam service is beginning to trickle through the ether and onto gamers computers today, as the Steam preload of Rag Doll Kung Fu has begun.

The brainchild of Lionhead designer Mark Healey, Rag Doll Kung Fu is a unique side-scrolling 3D platformer in that it has absolutely no prescripted animations. All player movements are controlled using the mouse, by clicking and dragging various limbs and using simple motions to walk characters around the screen, jump, kick, punch, headbutt, wield weapons, dance, and even pick up and throw (or eat) objects.

The game is set to go live October 12, and gamers who preload it can get it for $12.95. While that's the originally announced price for the game, the Steam home page indicates that the price represents a $2 savings off the regular price.