What were they using? A Cell Phone (and and the 7 button for P(Q)RS), instead of a normal keyboard?
Maybe the "Eric Roman Battles" meant that they hadn't coded the large scale battles yet, and that all the early battles were PvP between you and a staffer named Eric, chained to a keyboard in the server room....
And, what's with the Aika ads? Does everyone get a Pran following them around like some sort of CG blow-up doll? Especially with the "Yes, my Master" line at the end of the ad....