DEAD or Alive (DoA) 4 is a gongfu tournament for virtual characters - all martial art experts - who compete in locations around the world, including the North Pole and the Amazon.

The DoA series focuses on fast-paced gameplay. Similar to games such as Virtua Fighter, DoA rewards a competitor who strikes quickly and effectively. So the less time one takes to kill an opponent, the more virtual points he or she earns.

Also, like most fighting games, DoA tries to copy the actions of real-life martial arts.

Its input system is modelled on actual gongfu movements. For instance, to punch an avatar, a player has to press the punch input button and push the joystick forward.

Different characters specialise in different moves, but some common ones include pouncing on the attacker, throwing weapons from the ground level and sword fighting.

The game is popular also because of its sex appeal.

Female characters in the game are known for their bouncing breasts - on display when they spar and when they celebrate after a victory. All nine female avatars are clad in figure-hugging outfits, low cleavage tops or ultra-short skirts.

According to a 2004 interview by Game Informer magazine, the developer was inspired by the Fatal Fury game series in Japan, which also uses sex to sell.

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TO DELIVER A PUNCH, a DoA gamer has to press the punch button and push the joystick forward in a movement modelled on real-life gongfu moves.