Kakao Games (293490.KQ) is aiming for a rebound with "Dokkaebi World," a new title infused with traditional Korean color. It is the first major release since the company was reorganized under the LY Corporation structure, and it is targeting global markets as well.
At a press conference held at the Korea House in Jung-gu, central Seoul, on the 20th, Kakao Games CEO Lee Si-woo said the game was "prepared under the principle of working closely with capable developers to discover intellectual property that will be loved over the long term," adding that "it will show sufficient competitiveness not only at home but also in global markets."
Developed by SuperCat and published by Kakao Games, "Dokkaebi World" is defined by its Eastern-themed atmosphere, in which characters dressed in colorful hanbok roam ancient fortresses and pavilions to face spirit creatures and monsters such as dokkaebi (goblins) and gumiho (nine-tailed foxes). The company collaborated from the planning stage with the original author of "Extermination of Ghosts," a Naver web novel and webtoon that began serialization in March this year, focusing on building a solid yet original world.
The introduction of an in-game AI assistant called "Myoreong" also stands out. Myoreong is a system that uses AI to analyze and process users' play data along with in-game market and ranking information to provide customized information. Cha Myung-soo, head of the business division at Kakao Games, said the company is "also reviewing plans to place Myoreong as an NPC that can interact with users, or to add customization features for its appearance." In addition, the game applies 2.5D graphics that combine 2D pixel characters with 3D backgrounds, aiming to offer nostalgia to veteran gamers and a fresh play experience to the MZ generation.
Both companies expect that "Dokkaebi World," buoyed by the rising status of K-content, will resonate in global markets as well. Park Seong-jun, a producer at SuperCat, said, "As K-content such as K-pop, films and dramas has gained enormous popularity in world markets, we judged that a game drawing on traditional Korean folklore would also have sufficient competitiveness."
For Kakao Games, a hit with the new title is urgent. The company is at a major inflection point, with its largest shareholder having changed to LY Corporation and its management reorganized under a co-CEO structure led by Lee Si-woo and Kim Tae-hwan. The success or failure of "Dokkaebi World" is expected to be a watershed that determines the company's future turnaround. Cha said the company is "doing everything possible for a successful launch, and once the service stabilizes, meaningful revenue results will follow."
"Dokkaebi World" begins pre-registration on the 20th and will officially launch in October.
