Krafton, made a significant appearance at Gamescom to showcase inZOI, PUBG, and their new title, Dark and Darker Mobile. From August 1st to 11th, Dark and Darker Mobile held its first global test across four countries: South Korea, Japan, the United States, and Turkey. Although this was a global test, Europe was notably excluded, making Gamescom the official European debut for Dark and Darker Mobile.
It’s been about 10 days since the conclusion of this large-scale global test, and with its broad reach, the feedback was naturally more comprehensive than in the previous two tests. We took the opportunity to delve into the reactions from the global test and hear the reflections of European players who experienced Dark and Darker Mobile firsthand at Gamescom.
You recently conducted a global test across four countries—South Korea, Japan, the United States, and Turkey. Could you share some memorable reactions or feedback from that experience?
The global test brought in a lot of positive feedback. Players overall found the game enjoyable and strongly expressed their desire for an official release soon, which was very encouraging. Regionally, Korean players showed a particular interest in the cooperative play and PvP elements, while Japanese players focused on the game’s aesthetics and storyline. U.S. players praised the strategic elements and combat system, while Turkish players appreciated the localization and accessibility. We also received feedback regarding optimization and build errors. We are currently working to incorporate this feedback to further improve the game.
Including Turkey in your global test was unexpected. Usually, you would see Europe or Southeast Asia included. What was the reason for choosing Turkey?
Turkey is one of the rapidly growing markets in the mobile gaming industry. We’ve already seen the potential in the Turkish market through the success of PUBG Mobile. Additionally, during our large-scale test in Korea, we received significant interest and support from Turkish players, which is why we decided to include Turkey in this global test.
In the previous two tests, the game’s core features were thoroughly evaluated. What were you aiming to confirm with this global test?
Dark and Darker Mobile is pioneering a new genre in mobile gaming, blending battle royale, dungeon crawler, and RPG elements. With this global test, we wanted to see how players worldwide would react to these aspects. Thanks to this test, we gathered feedback on the unique gameplay elements, including the medieval low-fantasy setting, PvPvE dungeon crawling, the hardcore mechanics where players lose everything upon death, and the RPG-style tiered progression.
It might just be my impression, but it seems like the mercenary AI has improved. Have you incorporated any recent AI technologies like the much-talked-about ChatGPT?
We’re continuously improving the mercenary AI, utilizing the latest AI technologies to offer more natural and efficient gameplay. Although we haven’t used technologies like ChatGPT yet, we plan to integrate advanced AI into the game in the future.
The decision to redesign a hardcore genre like extraction for the mobile platform into a more casual game is certainly commendable. However, some feel the game has lost its identity in the process. What’s your take on this?
Dark and Darker Mobile is a game where the core fun lies in interacting with various terrains and objects within a medieval low-fantasy world during each session. We’ve redesigned the controls and perspectives to enhance this core gameplay in a mobile environment, with the motto of “enhancing the fun of control”. We’re also working to weave together a variety of content so that players can continue enjoying the game over a long period.
The Wizard class was recently added. Why did you choose to include the Wizard among the many classes from the original game?
The Wizard is a class that emphasizes strategic elements in combat through powerful magic and various skills. We added this class because it highlights the strategic aspects of combat, which are key to the original game. We plan to continue adding more classes in the future.
The village system is undoubtedly a unique feature of Dark and Darker Mobile. It’s a new space and content not present in the original game. What was the intention behind this, and how do you plan to expand its functionality beyond activities like fishing and cooking?
The village system was created to provide a space where players can engage in social interactions within the game. We plan to expand the content available in the village, including guild systems, communal workspaces, various events, and quests. This will allow players to enjoy the game on a deeper level.
The lines between PC and mobile platforms have blurred significantly. High-quality mobile games often have PC clients. What about Dark and Darker Mobile? And is there a plan for a simultaneous release of the mobile and PC versions?
Dark and Darker Mobile is currently being developed with a focus on mobile platforms, but we are also considering supporting emulators that allow the game to run on PC, based on user demand and feedback.
Like PUBG Mobile, there’s a concern that PC clients allow for more precise controls, which could give PC users an advantage when matched with mobile players. How do you plan to address this?
That’s correct. To ensure fair gameplay between users on PC emulators and mobile users, we plan to introduce a separate matching system. This will help balance the platforms and ensure all users can enjoy the game in a fair environment.
On the other hand, it seems inevitable that Dark and Darker Mobile will face competition, or even cannibalization, from the original Dark and Darker. How do you view this situation?
Dark and Darker Mobile is being developed as an independent game from the original.
The two games offer unique experiences on different platforms, creating a complementary rather than competitive relationship. Fans of the original game can expect a fresh adventure in Dark and Darker Mobile.
Regarding the monetization system, the introduction of items like emergency/standard escape tokens and insurance may appear to prioritize safety through purchases. In an extraction game, this approach may seem unfair. What are your thoughts on this?
The monetization in Dark and Darker Mobile aims to enhance player enjoyment and align with the needs of mobile gamers.
The unexpected addition of a gear enhancement system, considering the risk of losing everything upon death, raises questions. What was the reasoning behind implementing this system?
The gear enhancement feature in Dark and Darker Mobile aims to offer players a more strategic gameplay experience, allowing them to tackle greater challenges and reap better rewards, adding depth to the game.
The system that enhances gear and increases preservation rates may seem out of place for an extraction genre game. How do you address concerns about undermining the core challenge of risk and fairness?
The preservation rate enhancement system aims to improve accessibility and strategic gameplay while maintaining balance to uphold the game’s tension and fairness.
Customizable builds were a feature in the original Dark and Darker. Will players have the same option in the mobile version?
Yes, players in Dark and Darker Mobile can create their own specialized builds by choosing from various classes with unique skills and abilities to craft their distinct playstyles.
Despite similarities to the original game, Dark and Darker Mobile introduces new elements like optimized UI/UX for mobile, simplified controls, and mobile-specific content. What other unique features can players expect?
Dark and Darker Mobile offers a fresh experience with unique mobile-specific features like the village and mercenary systems, setting it apart from the original game and making it appealing to players.
Will Dark and Darker Mobile follow a strategy similar to PUBG and PUBG Mobile, creating a complementary relationship between the two games?
Yes, learning from the success of PUBG and PUBG Mobile, Krafton plans to implement a similar strategy with Dark and Darker Mobile, aiming to create a complementary relationship between the two games.
While the gameplay appears solid, aspects like monetization and additional content may require further evaluation. Do you anticipate the need for more testing?
Dark and Darker Mobile plans to conduct extensive testing to gather feedback from users and ensure a top-notch gaming experience before the official launch, given its unique genre and gameplay.
With the anticipation surrounding Dark and Darker Mobile, what message would you like to share with eager fans eagerly awaiting the game?
To all the fans eagerly anticipating Dark and Darker Mobile, we thank you for your support and commitment. We strive to meet and exceed your expectations by delivering enjoyable gaming experiences through updates and enhancements. Your interest and support are truly appreciated.
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