Wemade’s ‘Night Crows’ has reached its 3rd anniversary. While three years may not seem like a long time in the online gaming world, market trends have shifted rapidly during that period. Mobile MMORPGs, which once dominated the market, have stepped down from their throne, with open-world action RPGs quickly filling the void.
Of course, the glory of open-world action RPGs was not eternal either. Now, past their brief heyday, the market has shifted to a landscape where no single genre dominates; instead, numerous genres are carving out their own niches and competing fiercely.
Having endured those intense times and competition, ‘Night Crows’ is now looking toward the future. We are preparing for a leap forward, going beyond mere survival. To see what ‘Night Crows’ has in store amidst such rapidly changing trends, we met with Mad Engine PD Yang Hong-seok to discuss everything from past achievements to future plans.
▲ Mad Engine ‘Night Crows’ PD Yang Hong-seok
What is the future for ‘Night Crows’ as it marks its 3rd anniversary?
‘Night Crows’ has already reached its 3rd anniversary. Could you briefly introduce your achievements so far.
“It feels like three years have passed in the blink of an eye. Looking back, every moment was a series of challenges to overcome technical limitations, and it is deeply moving to see the fruits of that labor reaching users not just in Korea, but around the world.
Domestically, we changed the market landscape immediately after our 2023 launch by topping the sales charts on both major app stores and surpassing ₩200 billion in cumulative revenue within seven months. This domestic success translated to the global market. In March 2024, after a simultaneous launch in over 170 countries, we recorded $10 million in revenue in just three days and exceeded 450,000 peak concurrent users, proving that ‘Night Crows’ is a powerful IP that resonates on the global stage. Based on these domestic and international achievements, ‘Night Crows’ has reached the milestone of ₩750 billion in cumulative revenue.
While we are happy with the numerical results, what we are most proud of is breaking the limits of visual experience by being the first domestic mobile MMORPG to adopt Unreal Engine 5. The fact that our technical persistence satisfied the high standards of our players and proved that it could become a global standard remains a source of great pride for all of us.
The popularity of mobile MMORPGs has declined in recent years. Why do you think that is?
“I believe it is not that the market situation has changed, but that the standards expected by users have risen accordingly.
To be honest, it is true that many MMORPGs have been complacent for too long with familiar formulas, such as similar monetization structures or competition centered on auto-hunting. As a result, users have begun to feel a sense of fatigue, as if they have seen it all before, even when playing new games. Now, rather than the fun of simply increasing numbers, they want real gameplay where their choices and controls have a tangible impact on the game.
Furthermore, as various genres that offer short, intense bursts of fun have grown, MMORPGs now have to compete more fiercely to capture users’ time.
I see this current trend as an important signal that the MMORPG genre must return to its essential fun. ‘Night Crows’ is also breaking away from past inertia and thinking hard about how to provide players with the joy of direct control and decision-making. Introducing a new combat style through the ‘Cestus’ class in this 3rd-anniversary update is the beginning of that effort.
In the live-service game market, three years can be short or long. What is the secret to ‘Night Crows’ being loved for so long.
“The core secret is that we delivered exactly what we promised in the actual game.
Usually, promotional videos before a launch are flashy, but the actual game quality often falls short, leading to disappointment. However, we fully implemented the overwhelming visuals shown via Unreal Engine 5 into the in-game quality that players experience firsthand.
What I am particularly proud of is that even now, three years after launch, the graphics of ‘Night Crows’ still maintain a unique advantage compared to the latest competitors. We have proven that technical gap not in cinematic trailers, but in the actual gameplay screens players encounter every day, and I believe that has been the greatest strength in providing players with an unwavering sense of immersion.
On top of that, we tried to add sincerity to our service. Even if we weren’t perfect, we tried to uphold the principle of quickly reflecting player feedback and communicating honestly when problems arose to build the game together. Finally, by precisely analyzing and preparing for the needs of the global market, we were able to establish ourselves as a globally beloved IP.
It seems ‘Night Crows’ needs to continue to evolve and develop. What are your thoughts?
“I think it is time to refine the vast amount of content and systems we have built over the past three years and increase their value. We intend to focus on increasing the density of every moment players spend in the game, rather than just adding new things.
The first is the redesign of content and reward values. As players’ growth stages have changed over time, the sense of achievement provided by each piece of content must also be redesigned. Our goal is to boldly renew rewards that have become too familiar or content that has lost its motivational appeal, creating a virtuous cycle where players can clearly feel what they gain and how they grow through their actions.
The second is to strengthen the inherent joy of gameplay.
“Indeed, we wanted to go beyond just celebrating the milestone of our 3rd anniversary. We see this update as a starting point for a new leap forward for ‘Night Crows.’ We want players to feel that our commitment to providing a fun and engaging experience is unwavering.
What can players look forward to in the future of ‘Night Crows’?
“In the future, we will continue to focus on providing a diverse range of content that enhances the fun and immersion of ‘Night Crows.’ We will listen closely to player feedback and strive to incorporate new elements that resonate with our community.
I’m interested in the specific reason behind this.
“For us, the significance of three years goes beyond just a number; it represents the trust we have built with our players over time.
The ‘Night Crows’ community exists today because of the loyal players who have stayed with us. Instead of simply celebrating our 3rd anniversary with a party, we wanted to show our gratitude in a more meaningful way. While one-time rewards are important, we believe that expanding the game world and providing new experiences is the best way to thank our players.
Events may fade from memory, but ongoing updates like new fields, classes, and growth systems can keep the game fresh and exciting for players. Our goal is to create a game where players can constantly discover new challenges and enjoyment every time they log in, rather than just during special events. This update reflects our commitment to fulfilling that promise and marks the beginning of the next chapter for ‘Night Crows.’
What has been the response to the recent update, from both new and returning players to the overall player feedback?
“Since the update, we have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both in-game metrics and player reactions.
One of the most exciting outcomes has been the significant increase in new and returning players. Following the 3rd-anniversary update, the number of new players joining ‘Night Crows’ surged by over 800% compared to the previous week. The ‘Philippus’ server, which was newly opened, has become a vibrant hub for players, with many praising the engaging gameplay and generous rewards.
Players have also expressed satisfaction with the new ‘Talasion’ field and the dynamic combat style of the new ‘Cestus’ class. This positive feedback has been a great motivator for our development team. We are closely monitoring player feedback and metrics to ensure that the game continues to provide lasting enjoyment for our community.
Can you elaborate on the new ‘Cestus’ class and how it differs from existing classes?
“The ‘Cestus’ class stands out for its unique approach to melee combat, offering players the ability to adapt their tactics within the class itself.
With two distinct stances, ‘Taesan’ and ‘Yusu,’ players can switch between defensive and offensive roles on the battlefield. The ‘Taesan’ stance focuses on endurance and support, using status effects to protect allies and weaken enemies. On the other hand, the ‘Yusu’ stance emphasizes agility and offense, allowing players to bypass obstacles and disrupt enemy strategies.
By mastering the art of stance-switching, players can effectively control the flow of battle and adapt to different scenarios. The ‘Cestus’ class offers a strategic depth that caters to players who enjoy dynamic and versatile gameplay.
Is the process of switching stances complex, and does it require manual control?
“While stance-switching may seem intricate at first glance, it is designed to be intuitive and deep once players engage with it.
Unlike traditional MMORPGs that rely on complex skill trees, the ‘Cestus’ simplifies role-switching through a single button mechanic. Players can seamlessly transition between defensive and offensive stances based on the battlefield dynamics, without the need for extensive study or memorization.
By offering a dynamic gameplay experience, the ‘Cestus’ class enhances the strategic aspect of combat, allowing players to make impactful decisions in real-time. Our goal is to provide players with a sense of empowerment and excitement through their tactical choices, while maintaining the accessibility that defines ‘Night Crows.’
Has there been any collaboration or inspiration between ‘Night Crows’ and other games, such as ‘Legend of Ymir’?
“There has been no direct collaboration or shared ideas between ‘Night Crows’ and ‘Legend of Ymir.’ Each game operates independently, with its own vision and development team.
However, it is interesting to note the emergence of similar classes in both games around the same time. This convergence may reflect a common understanding of player preferences for impactful combat and strategic gameplay in the genre. While we appreciate the diversity of ideas in the gaming industry, our focus remains on delivering unique and engaging experiences to our players through our distinctive features and content.
Please consider this as a delightful coincidence and an intriguing phenomenon that demonstrates the high expectations of players for martial arts-style classes.
Philippus has been introduced as a long-term independent server, serving as a solution for new and returning users who may feel overwhelmed by veteran players. The reaction so far has been overwhelmingly positive. The main draw of the new Philippus server lies in its fairness, allowing all players to start anew from the same starting point. New and returning players are quickly settling in by engaging in friendly competition and collaboration with others at similar stages of growth.
The feedback indicates that players are experiencing rapid growth and enjoying unconventional support events, providing them with a sense of accomplishment from the beginning. This approach has been well-received as it offers an environment where players can fully immerse themselves in the essence of growth and warfare right from the start. Our focus is on providing detailed operational support to ensure that players on the Philippus server feel welcomed and can thrive within an independent ecosystem.
The decision to maintain the independence of the Philippus server for a minimum of one year stems from the need for the community and competitive structure to solidify without external interference. This period of independence is crucial for players to fully appreciate their achievements and establish a stable environment. While there may be a desire to integrate the server sooner, we believe that honoring the promised independence period is essential to protect the value of players’ efforts.
We are committed to managing Philippus diligently during this time, fostering a dynamic world within the server. Our goal is to enhance group-level competition and provide tailored support based on the growth stage and environment of the server. Additionally, we will offer limited server transfers for players who wish to explore wider battlegrounds after gaining self-sufficiency. Our aim is to ensure that the unique enjoyment of ‘Night Crows’ remains intact across all servers.
Looking ahead, we have exciting updates in store beyond the new battlefront. We are working on introducing social motions and guild hideouts to enhance communal interactions and strengthen guild solidarity. These additions will offer a more immersive social experience where players can celebrate victories and strategize together. Furthermore, we are developing large-scale content to elevate the intensity of battles and the enjoyment of cooperation.
We will share more details and a roadmap for these updates as they are finalized. Our commitment is to provide players with fresh goals and a sense of pride unique to ‘Night Crows’ as we continue to evolve and expand the game experience.
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