EP Kwon Do-hyung: We set out to nail the roguelite genre. Naturally, we looked at well-crafted quarter-view action games for reference, which likely explains the familiar vibe. From the start, our mandate was to leverage the Solo Leveling IP, and we believe the deeper we weave that source material into the gameplay, the more the game’s own identity will shine.

Our challenge—and our biggest opportunity—is to translate Sung Jinwoo’s 27-year odyssey through the dimensional gaps and the essence of the Shadow Legion into gameplay. I’m cautious about revealing specific content just yet, but the core direction is all about fleshing out the stories and mechanics surrounding the Shadow Legion and Jinwoo himself.

Business Head Moon Joon-ki: It supports both platforms, though we’re demoing exclusively on mobile outside of the stage events. We chose this because nailing the controls and the 'feel' of roguelite action on mobile is the real challenge. So far, user feedback has been encouraging.

We are planning this as a live service, not a standalone. Since you play as Sung Jinwoo, we aren’t following the standard 'gacha pick-up every two to three weeks' model. While there are growth elements and varied action sets, we want to keep it accessible for a global audience, likely through monthly subscriptions or battle passes. The finer details of the monetization are still in the works.

EP Kwon Do-hyung: It boils down to the controls and combat. We wanted to push the boundaries of quarter-view combat, so we’ve implemented various reactions like air-borne and knock-down effects to capture that signature Solo Leveling flair. The game is fast-paced. While selecting 'blessings' creates a brief pause, we’ve ensured that the combat itself remains fluid, real-time, and snappy.

Business Head Moon Joon-ki: From a genre perspective, it’s about accessibility. While back-view or shoulder-view cameras allow for flashy cinematography, the quarter-view offers better battlefield awareness and feels intuitive even with fewer buttons. We want to welcome fans of the anime and webtoon, whether they are hardcore gamers or not.

Business Head Moon Joon-ki: We are collaborating with the animation production committee. The opening cinematic shown at G-Star was co-produced with A-1 Pictures. We want to keep that level of collaboration to resonate with fans. Netmarble has had global success with other titles, so we know the importance of visibility. Expect us to be very active at global gaming shows and offline events.

Business Head Moon Joon-ki: While Netmarble is developing the story, it is under the strict supervision of the original author Chugong, D&C Media, and the animation committee. It depicts the period where Sung Jinwoo fought for 27 years in the dimensional gaps. It’s an original narrative, but one that respects the boundaries set by the creator.

As for media mix expansion, we’re using these assets for promotions and the game itself for now. Where it goes from here is anyone's guess, but given Netmarble’s recent track record of creating webtoons and web novels from our games, the door is definitely open.

Business Head Moon Joon-ki: We are aiming for the first half of next year. We’ll keep polishing based on user feedback to hit that window. As for revenue targets, I’d rather not throw out numbers, but we built this as a roguelite precisely to reach a wider global audience. Following the massive success of 'Solo Leveling: ARISE' last year, we believe this title can reach even more players.

EP Kwon Do-hyung: The main content is story-driven; the wave-based content is secondary. We intend for these to be daily or weekly modes where players can earn growth materials.

EP Kwon Do-hyung: We’re still weighing our options. It’s a tricky balance between the single-player nature of roguelites and the need for long-term service engagement. We believe players need a space to interact, so we’ll likely prepare something involving either competition or cooperation.

EP Kwon Do-hyung: Perfect balance is a myth, but we have internal formulas to keep things in check. Our ultimate goal isn't just a 'perfect' balance, but making every weapon feel distinct enough that players *want* to try them all. We’re designing systems to encourage switching weapons—sometimes a dagger is the right call, other times you’ll need a greatsword.

EP Kwon Do-hyung: Creating non-canon monsters isn't our priority. The story of the dimensional gaps is about defeating all the Monarchs, so we’re focused on bringing those Monarchs and their minions to life perfectly. The real challenge is making that war feel engaging.

We also have NPCs living in these gaps and the 'Messengers of the Itarim' who provide blessings. The original 'originality' will come from how these entities interact with Jinwoo, mirroring the chaos the Monarchs brought to Earth.

EP Kwon Do-hyung: Absolutely. We’re listening to feedback. We’re looking into systems, similar to Brawl Stars, where missions encourage players to try specific characters or playstyles. We want to nudge players into exploring more than just their preferred 'meta' weapon.

EP Kwon Do-hyung: We plan to do all of it. A deep pool of weapons keeps the experience fresh, but we need more than just gear to keep things interesting.

The G-Star demo is just a 'lite' version of our endgame content. The story mode will be clear-based, while the challenge content will provide the true roguelite experience. We’re cooking up something much more sophisticated.

EP Kwon Do-hyung: We don’t plan to add more Monarchs; that wouldn't respect the source material. However, we are considering Monarch-level threats. The story needs to keep Jinwoo on his toes, and to keep players hooked on this 27-year saga, we need threats that push him to his limits.

EP Kwon Do-hyung: The foundation is familiar, but the devil is in the details—the 'fun' factors. Since this is a live-service game, the loop of growth and endgame progression will be standard, but the specific path will be unique to our title.

Business Head Moon Joon-ki: Both are being developed by Netmarble Neo. While they serve different purposes and gameplay styles, the doors are open for cross-promotion. You’ll see how we tie them together as we get closer to launch.

Business Head Moon Joon-ki: Solo Leveling is evolving into a global phenomenon, much like Dragon Ball or One Piece. Netmarble is proud to play a part in that journey. We’re crafting Karma to be a delight for long-time fans and a great entry point for newcomers. We hope for your continued support as we aim for another global success.

EP Kwon Do-hyung: The biggest hurdle was the manual control scheme. We spent countless hours ensuring it felt comfortable and engaging for long sessions on mobile. We stuck with it because it’s the only way to deliver the depth this roguelite action demands. We’ll do our best to deliver a fantastic game. Adieu.