A:In sub-culture games, one of the most crucial aspects of operation is the continuous development of character narratives. We've been building various character stories for over three years, and I believe this success is thanks to effectively delivering what Commanders (players) expect in our stories and events. The part players enjoyed most was the fully realised stage performance with 3D choreography, prepared as a three-minute segment. It seems our commitment to pushing the limits and doing our absolute best resonated well.

A: Many plot threads have been resolved, so players likely feel that the current heightened atmosphere is the highlight. However, the highlight isn't over yet; the 3.5 anniversary is just a part of the climax. Furthermore, I'm relieved that we were able to tend to the characters who had been suffering in this main story.

A:The overarching framework of the current story has been planned since the game's development, essentially from the very beginning of the Goddess, Counters story. In that narrative, Dorothy is a pivotal character connecting the past and present, and her role will clearly be evident in future battles. What we're seeing now is the preparation phase for that.

A:We've already had experiences of all-out battles in the existing main story, and a similar 'Total Offensive' type of event is planned once more. Moreover, the core of NIKKE's narrative lies in its ensemble cast, and we believe the stories of intertwined characters are what make it fun. In that regard, we will present developments that you'll find engaging.

A:Initially, the creature Dororong felt quite unfamiliar due to its stark contrast with Dorothy's character. We were cautious about how to handle a personality and fragmented characterisation that we hadn't defined ourselves. After securing the IP, we gained hints from what Commanders wanted for Dororong. Now, Dororong merchandise is the most abundant within the company, and it has established itself as a mascot-like character.

A:Dororong wasn't initially conceived with that image, but it's fascinating to see how its character has been solidified and continues to evolve within the community-driven ecosystem, much like game characters themselves. I find it intriguing. I'm glad it can convey a message of comfort.

A:It would be a lie to say there's no pressure for the 4th anniversary, but as of early this year, the 3.5 anniversary felt the most daunting. Handling the idol theme was delicate, and many of our past anniversary stories have involved intense battles and life-or-death situations. The 3.5 anniversary had a similar theme, but it delved closer to the characters' inner selves, so we put a lot of thought into how to convey that. I'm glad the 3.5 anniversary went well, and we'll do our best to deliver another great story for the 4th anniversary.

A:While the major plot points weren't discussed with the writing team, I had conceived them from the early stages. The relationship between the former Mustang and Hanson was also established from the beginning. Later, the former Mustang's characterisation and the details of the father-son relationship were decided while writing 'PRETTY STAR,' the 3.5 anniversary side story.

A:There are two main points that make NIKKE's story compelling. Firstly, the narrative unfolds through a blend of comedy and tragedy. Secondly, the emotional impact differs when you know the background story of the text or a specific scene versus encountering it without context. For T.T.STAR, we wanted players to feel the emotional ebb and flow by juxtaposing their tragic past with their current top-tier performances. Similarly, 'BE MY STAR' might initially be perceived as just a good song, but hearing it after understanding the story evokes a different emotion. That was also an intentional aspect.

A:We started preparations in September last year. Handling the idol theme was delicate, and from my perspective, it was a task that absolutely had to be done well. While there are many idol-themed cases in the entertainment industry and in games, I judged that tackling it with a 'we can make it similarly' mindset would lead to significant missteps. Therefore, we had extensive early discussions internally with Sound Director Joo Jong-hyun (Cosmograph), idol illustration artists, and the scenario team. Our publisher, Level Infinite, also provided significant assistance with technical aspects.

While 'synchronised group dancing' is crucial in the idol industry, we strived to highlight each character's charm because it's a game. Alongside overall quality, it needed to be seamless as game content and not feel out of place as an idol performance. We focused on effectively portraying the characters through full shots and facial expressions, and while choreographing group dances, we ensured each character's individuality shone through. The use of motion capture was also to enhance realism by bringing the choreography and expressions to life.

A: For NIKKE, the story doesn't necessarily proceed chronologically, and characters' personalities and situations are depicted multidimensionally, so some guidance is indeed needed. There are two main criteria: in-game chronological order and update order. We recommend the update order. This allows players to experience the story in the emotional sequence intended by the developers, and external elements like offline activities and events can be enjoyed more engagingly when aligned with the story.

Of course, depending on the order you view the story, like with Oswald, the emotions you feel towards a character can change, which is another source of enjoyment. However, proceeding in update order is the method that best aligns with the developers' intentions while providing the most enjoyable story experience.

A:The concept was to pay homage to the appearances of various Nikkes, and we had to effectively capture the speed and power that the original Nikkes possessed. From an operational standpoint, I don't believe bosses should become progressively more difficult, but at this juncture, we judged that a challenging opponent was necessary. Following a difficult boss, introducing appropriately challenging bosses is one of the virtues required for long-term service.

Visually, it exceeded expectations. The concept itself was meant to be shocking, so we emphasised that aspect. While we don't use that term in NIKKE, Shift Up itself has a knack for creature and monster design, and many within the company enjoy that. When given the opportunity, we express that, and I personally felt, 'It's finally here.' We put a lot of effort into showcasing diverse designs with each boss creation.

A:Every year during the anniversary broadcast, I find myself thinking, 'A person can truly commit to a concept.' Regarding bosses, as I mentioned earlier, we're not moving towards progressively harder characters. Interpreting the broadcast comment, I believe it reflects an ambition to create more engaging bosses starting with Ego Vista.

A:Graphic Group Leader Park Sang-hoo on the broadcast tends to issue strong warnings, but in reality, the direction is to continuously introduce new combat-related features. It's not about difficulty, but rather about creating new strategic points. Whether it arrives for the 4th anniversary or later is something we'll continue to develop, and rather than changing the combat paradigm, it's likely to offer an appropriate level of fun.

A:It seems to be a global trend, including in South Korea. The fundamental reason behind this is the increased importance of game content. In today's more competitive market, differentiation in concept is crucial, and effectively introducing that differentiation has become essential. Personally, I favour this trend. I enjoy the pleasure derived from content like stories and music in games, and I'm delighted that these aspects are being emphasised.

A:We plan to add various songs and content in the future. NIKKE currently boasts over 500 original songs. Music is a vital element in NIKKE, and we have many excellent tracks. When we decided to tell the story of Anis and T.T.STAR for the 3.5 anniversary, it was natural to make the mini-game a rhythm game. We have individuals internally with expertise in rhythm games, so the development was enjoyable. As part of this, we also released a physical album for the 3.5 anniversary, and we're open to releasing more albums if there's demand.

A:Firstly, it's been nearly a year since the collaboration was first released, so we felt it was an appropriate time for a rerun or to add it to the archives without any issues. Additionally, we had secured sufficient internal preparation time, which allowed us to proceed with it now. For your reference, a major three-week event featuring a new Nikke, a 3D field, and full voice acting is scheduled for June. Therefore, we determined that May would be the ideal month for the Stellar Blade collaboration rerun.

A:The large scale meant a considerable amount of preparation. My motto, and that of the development team, is 'Perfection isn't necessary, but we must show progress.' We identified areas for improvement during previous offline events, and this time, being our first event of such magnitude, we learned a great deal. We had fun preparing elements that hadn't been seen before, especially for the European event in London. I look forward to hosting more global events with Commanders worldwide, including in Europe.

A:We felt the need to create more opportunities to meet the people who enjoy our game. I recall a pregnant woman attending the Korean concert; when I asked her while signing autographs, she mentioned her due date was around the 4th anniversary. At the Japanese concert, we met an elderly individual, and there were also those who cried or said, 'My greatest wish was to see you.' Based on these experiences, we realised our service shouldn't be confined to just the game. Therefore, we will maintain our commitment to hosting offline events that foster communication with our users.

A:Rather than competing with other games, we prioritise providing new experiences for Commanders and offering unique satisfaction to those who attend these events. I believe these events are akin to game operations. Just as in-game events need to offer novelty to remain engaging, offline events require the same. We must thoughtfully consider various aspects like whether the focus is on merchandise, exhibitions, or stage performances, approaching it conceptually as part of the game's service.

Taking the concert as an example, for the second iteration, we doubled the song lineup and included new tracks alongside repeating about half of the songs from the first event. Some attendees felt disappointed by the repetition. If we prepare a third event, we will strive for further improvements or explore different approaches to ensure an engaging experience. While we hold various events annually, we continuously ponder how to offer a different experience each year.

A:We are striving to become a better development team and will do our utmost to connect with Commanders and create a game that resonates with them. We hope you will enjoy our future stories and events, and we are always grateful for your support.