A new Taekwondo scoring system launched in Korea is bringing elements that will seem very familiar to old school video gamers.

In response to complaints about the previous scoring system’s inability to catch sensor errors and athlete’s passive attitudes, the Korean Taekwondo Association decided to incorporate a fighting game-style health bar to matches.

That’s right, the bar you’ve seen on video games like Tekken and Mortal Kombat to determine the winner of the fight has moved from virtual reality into real life martial arts! Athletes will now hit and kick their opponents until their health bar zeroes out for victory.

In May, the association showcased the new system, which places sensors on the opponents to help judges determine hits to move the health marker down on the bar. This new system might lead to minor delays in scoring, and it also means athletes will have to literally pack their punches with enough power to transmit a signal to the judges.

It will also mean the end to “foot fencing,” a technique fighters use in competition involving keeping one leg in the air while hopping around on the other in an attempt to score a kick.

Video courtesy of Korea Taekwondo Association.

Below are other factors which will affect how taekwondo is scored.

Penalties If an athlete hits passively or breaks rules including hitting an opponent’s face with hands, attacking an opponent on the ground or hitting below the waist, then a 10-second penalty is given by the center referee. During this time, the athlete who got the penalty will receive doubled damage instead of minus points.

Body shots Kicks to the body score from seven to forty depending on the amount of force. But if the hit involves a spinning technique, it can add an extra 20 points. Body punches score seven points regardless of force.

Head kicks A kick to the head earns 20 points with extra points if the kick includes a spin.

Other changes If an opponent falls, there is no deduction to the health bar, which encourages athletes to try higher-level moves like the turning kick, spinning head kick and jump spin hook kick.

Many taekwondo purists have sounded the alarm as there is concern this video game-like feature will change the tradition and original features of the martial art. But others, including myself, are excited for what the new changes will bring to the sport. It might sound like it is out of a video game (because it is), but keep your eye out for this year’s KTA Power Taekwondo Premium League, no cheat codes or “KO” screens involved.