Good day and welcome as soon as extra to a different version of This Week in Cellular Video games, your twice-monthly have a look at the wild world of video games in your cellphone and different cell gadgets (and extra, as of late).
As we speak’s installment is a bit particular, as I have been studying a bit extra about Chaos Zero Nightmare and Epic Seven. Each video games are free-to-play titles developed by Smilegate, with Chaos Zero Nightmare (CZN) being the newer one. CZN lately launched its first anniversary celebration, and Epic Seven (E7) commemorated its eighth birthday earlier this 12 months. Extra lately, although, the sport made its debut on Steam for the primary time, and a brand new server based mostly on the platform went reside proper alongside the sixth annual Epic Seven World Championship.
In mild of the brand new developments for each titles, I had an opportunity to ship a couple of inquiries to builders at Smilegate, particularly Epic Seven Producer Tak Gwang-Jin, in addition to Choi Seung-Hyuin, who lately took on the position of Producer for Chaos Zero Nightmare. They mirrored on their respective video games, commenting on Chaos Zero Nightmare‘s inspirations and the modifications it is gone by way of since its (admittedly tough) launch final 12 months, and on Epic Seven‘s lengthy journey and its rising eSports scene.
Chaos Zero Nightmare Producer Choi Seung-Hyuin on the S.S. Nightmare‘s Voyage so Far, and its Yr Forward
© Smilegate
ANN: Chaos Zero Nightmare (CZN) options an uncommon premise that blends collectively cosmic horror and science fantasy components, alongside mechanics that generally depend on characters struggling psychological breakdowns in the midst of fight to unleash their strongest skills. What works impressed the staff at Smilegate to discover this core idea?
CHOI and KIM: It is troublesome to call only one. Slightly than drawing from any single title, our planning staff labored exhausting to include into CZN the weather every member personally discovered compelling.
There are particular works that impressed us greater than others, however we do not restrict ourselves by style. Whether or not it is a fully unrelated sport, a movie, or an anime, the planning staff shares what they’ve loved and works to deliver it to life within the sport.
CZN employs an artwork fashion that employs 2D animation-style characters and cutscenes. How did the staff determine on this presentation fashion in comparison with full 3D character fashions and environments (that are more and more common amongst free-to-play video games)?
CHOI: Over the course of creating Epic Seven, we constructed up deep experience in 2D, and that naturally drew in people who find themselves obsessed with 2D illustration. I feel that staff is what made CZN’s 2D presentation doable.
© Smilegate
CZN is celebrating its first anniversary and has seen a whole lot of modifications between its launch final 12 months and now. Which modifications are you most excited to see go reside within the sport?
CHOI: Our first anniversary is just the start. We have been working to repair the issue of Combatants feeling a lot much less helpful as soon as a season ends, and the primary enchancment will arrive in Season 6. Past that, the roguelike content material can be revamped, and in Season Chaos, we’ll make constructing Save Information much less grindy whereas including new challenges. The story may even dive into the story of the gods with twists nobody will see coming. Lots is ready for gamers, so we hope they will stick with us and stay excited by way of our second anniversary.
What’s the largest lesson the staff has realized from participant suggestions and the expertise of CZN’s reside operations within the 12 months thus far?
CHOI: Once we did not have sufficient time to check one thing correctly, gamers all the time tell us. Now we test every little thing way more rigorously. Our schedule is way more manageable, and we consider the service has turn out to be much more secure.
© Smilegate
Mr. Choi, what kind of design philosophy are you hoping to deliver to the sport’s future, and what can gamers of CZN look ahead to out of your tenure as its producer?
CHOI: I would not name it a philosophy. Since it is a reside service, my very own imaginative and prescient issues, however assembly gamers’ expectations issues simply as a lot. If I needed to put it into phrases, it will be: “By no means break the participant expertise.” Having moved up from Stay Director to Producer, I promise to speak with gamers and hearken to their opinions greater than anybody. I am conscious that many gamers have raised issues about CZN’s present points. To repair them, we have put collectively a plan that runs by way of our second anniversary, and we’ll share it with gamers someday in December. We would actually admire their curiosity, pleasure, and suggestions.
Earlier this 12 months, Epic Seven added playable characters from Chaos Zero Nightmare for a collaboration occasion. Are there any plans so as to add Epic Seven characters to CZN in alternate?
CHOI: Many CZN gamers additionally play Epic Seven. That mentioned, proper now we’re centered on CZN as its personal IP, and we’re getting ready CZN’s first collaboration with an IP we expect gamers will love. Nothing has been determined but relating to an Epic Seven collab or including Epic Seven characters as Combatants.
Who’s your private favourite character within the sport and why?
CHOI: Diana. I feel her visible design turned out rather well, and her companion Milkpong is lovable too. Her expression when she breaks down is extra putting than another Combatant’s.
We discover new concepts for Diana each season, but it surely’s not straightforward. We wish to increase the roguelike atmosphere inside every season as quickly as we are able to.
© Smilegate
Producer Tak Gwang-Jin on Epic Seven‘s Eight-Yr Journey, its Rising Aggressive Scene, and Steam Debut
ANN: Epic Seven (E7) lately celebrated its eighth anniversary. In your estimation, what was the largest single change to occur to the sport to have an effect on its course of growth?
TAK: It is troublesome to single out only one, however I might say the introduction of World Area, our real-time PvP mode, was a significant turning level. From the start, Epic Seven has centered on compelling characters and tales, and the strategic attraction of turn-based fight constructed round completely different mixtures of Heroes and tools. World Area expanded that have by permitting gamers to face off straight towards each other. Even when each gamers use the identical Heroes, matches can play out fully in another way relying on how they anticipate and reply to one another’s choices.
From a growth perspective, it additionally pushed us to suppose past the attraction and efficiency of particular person Heroes. We started wanting extra intently at how completely different Heroes work together and whether or not gamers have sufficient choices to counter particular methods. That finally led to the Epic Seven World Championship, giving gamers not solely the fun of competing but in addition the joy of watching and discussing different gamers’ methods. After all, not all Heirs play Epic Seven for the competitors. Some benefit from the story and characters, whereas others favor the varied PvE modes. Whereas we proceed so as to add strategic depth to World Area, we additionally wish to give gamers extra methods to take pleasure in Epic Seven on their very own phrases.
© Smilegate
I used to play a little bit of Epic Seven some years in the past, and its high-quality animated characters have been one of many main points of interest for me. How has this selection to present gamers the expertise of “enjoying an animated sequence” pushed Epic Seven’s inventive evolution over time?
TAK: In Epic Seven, “Play the Animation” means greater than merely watching fantastically animated characters. It is about letting gamers turn out to be a part of these characters’ tales. When a personality’s attraction carries over from their illustration to their expressions, actions, voice, and talent animations, that character actually feels alive. Over time, we have put extra thought into how all these components come collectively.
For instance, even when depicting a strong talent, the actions and ambiance of the scene ought to mirror the character’s persona and story. Ideally, gamers who already know the character will see it as considered one of that Hero’s most memorable moments, whereas newcomers can be curious to be taught extra about them. The animation should not simply look spectacular. It also needs to let you know one thing in regards to the character.
Shifting ahead, we wish to protect Epic Seven’s distinctive 2D animation fashion whereas discovering new methods to indicate gamers completely different sides of their favourite Heroes.
© Smilegate
I used to be shocked to find that Epic Seven appears to have a major eSports scene, which is not one thing you’d count on for a sport often related to free-to-play RPGs. How does the eSports facet of Epic Seven have an effect on the choices the staff makes in growth?
TAK: We see esports as a possibility to showcase simply how a lot technique and selection its turn-based fight affords. Matches are determined by how gamers learn their opponents’ intentions, choose their Heroes, and make choices underneath stress. One of many issues that makes Epic Seven particularly thrilling to look at is that the match successfully begins throughout the pick-and-ban section, earlier than the precise battle even begins.
Having a aggressive scene has additionally made us pay nearer consideration as to whether gamers have significant decisions. Even when a strong technique emerges, there needs to be methods to counter it, and completely different Heroes and staff compositions ought to every have a task to play. Tournaments additionally give us invaluable alternatives to look at Hero interactions and strategic potentialities, since they present us what expert gamers can obtain once they discover the sport’s mechanics and methods in depth.
It is also vital to think about each the joy of high-level competitors and the on a regular basis expertise of our Heirs. We wish gamers to look at a event and suppose, “I might like to attempt that staff composition myself,” and discover new methods to benefit from the sport.
© Smilegate
By the point readers learn this, Epic Seven may have launched on Steam on October twenty ninth. What made the staff determine to launch the sport on Steam when Epic Seven’s PC consumer has been obtainable individually for a while?
TAK: Whereas our present PC consumer gave Heirs a strategy to take pleasure in Epic Seven on PC, we noticed Steam as an opportunity to achieve gamers who hadn’t skilled the sport earlier than. It permits individuals who commonly uncover and play video games on Steam to search out and begin Epic Seven on a platform they’re already aware of. Requests for a Steam launch from our international Heirs have been additionally a significant factor behind this enlargement.
There could also be individuals who would love Epic Seven’s 2D animation and turn-based fight; it is troublesome to indicate them what makes the sport particular in the event that they by no means have the chance to attempt it. Launching on Steam offers extra folks an opportunity to find Epic Seven. We have additionally made it doable for present Heirs to hold over their progress by way of an account switch course of.
To assist newcomers get began, we launched a brand new server referred to as Foundry alongside the Steam launch, together with development assist occasions. Foundry is accessible not solely by way of Steam but in addition by way of the STOVE PC Shopper and cell gadgets. We hope new Heirs can start their adventures collectively and revel in Epic Seven on whichever platform fits them greatest.
© Smilegate
For readers who do not have a lot expertise with Epic Seven, or who’re new to the sport and simply encountering it for the primary time on Steam, what message do it’s important to encourage them to present the sport a attempt?
TAK: In case you’ve ever watched an anime and thought, “I want I might go on an journey with that character,” we might love so that you can give Epic Seven a attempt. A part of the sport’s attraction is discovering Heroes you’re keen on, studying their tales, and successful battles with a staff you’ve got constructed your self. You will get to expertise the joy of bringing these unbelievable moments you see on display to life by way of your individual choices.
In case you take pleasure in turn-based RPGs, there’s additionally loads of enjoyable available in constructing groups and deciding the very best order to make use of your abilities. You need not be taught each system or leap into aggressive content material straight away. You may take your time exploring the story and characters, or experiment with completely different staff compositions constructed round your favourite Heroes. Epic Seven brings collectively 2D animation, storytelling, and strategic turn-based fight in a single expertise.
Eight years of storytelling may appear to be lots to absorb at first, but it surely additionally means loads of characters to fulfill and adventures to expertise. We’re excited to welcome new Heirs by way of the Steam launch, and we hope you will discover Heroes and memorable moments in Epic Seven that stick with you for years to come back.
Zenless Zone Zero and Honkai: Star Rail Start Character Swaps Subsequent Yr
© HoYoVerse
Except you are deep into Genshin Influence‘s ongoing Snezhnaya storyline, I might wager that a number of the extra thrilling information from the HoYo-verse includes the upcoming crossover between Zenless Zone Zero and Honkai: Star Rail. The corporate has launched a set of teasers for each video games’ respective crossovers, which is able to see two common playable characters be a part of the opposite sport, in addition to locking down the anticipated debut window.
Honkai: Star Rail‘s Zenless Zone Zero crossover is scheduled to launch alongside the model 4.8 replace, which is predicted to reach early in 2027 (the sport’s on model 4.6 now, and its 4.7 replace is ready for November 11, 2026), and add ZZZ characters Astra Yao and Ellen Joe to the Astral Specific’ rising roster of allies. Astra Yao will debut as a Quantum-element Concord character. Given her position as a diva songstress in New Eridu, it is a protected guess that she’ll emphasize assist specialization.
In the meantime, Star Rail‘s tackle the famous person shark maid Ellen Joe is as an Ice-element Destruction character. Ellen was the busted-as-heck damage-dealing character of Zenless Zone Zero‘s launch period, so this characterization tracks.
I’ve to say, it is amusing to think about how Ellen and Astra may react to being semi-permanently teleported into Honkai: Star Rail‘s high-concept sci-fantasy world, the place characters commonly slay cosmic entities and the principle plot includes the machinations of immortal area gods. Regardless of its personal supernatural components, ZZZ is a way more “grounded,” smaller-scale setting by comparability, so it is virtually a fantasy isekai scenario for these two.
In the meantime, Honkai: Star Rail’s Kafka (who also hung out in Fortnite not too long ago) and Robin may see their stint in New Eridu as “slumming it,” contemplating how comparatively primitive ZZZ‘s setting is in comparison with their universe-spanning journey, or maybe may take it like a enjoyable trip in a surprisingly urbane planetary settlement. I’ve all the time preferred Kafka, however personally I am most wanting ahead to HoYoVerse doubtlessly recreating this hilarious fan animation from artist Dork Dragoon, which pokes enjoyable at Kafka’s superficial similarity to ZZZ character Evelyn Chevallier:
HoYoVerse hasn’t locked down an actual date for Zenless Zone Zero‘s Star Rail crossover, however did tease it for inclusion in model 3.4. Model 3.3 launched on October 21, 2026, which might put the debut as early as late November or December this 12 months. Dataminers and leakers have additionally proven off partially practical footage of Kafka’s character mannequin and a few of her animations, suggesting that each occasions are on their strategy to changing into actual.
U.S. Visa Difficulties Pressure Cygames To Cancel Uma Musume Concert events
Maybe the largest story of the previous two weeks in cell video games concerned a collision of the true world and the fantasy of horsegirls, when Cygames was forced to cancel its planned Uma Musume: Pretty Derby concerts in Los Angeles barely three days earlier than they have been presupposed to happen. The explanation, as has been extensively lined, is that, regardless of over six months of labor in response to Cygames‘ announcement, occasion workers weren’t capable of safe U.S. visas, which might enable them into the nation to carry the occasion.
The outcomes have been chaotic, with some followers having already traveled to L.A. to attend the live performance instantly left with nothing to look ahead to. Some estimates also suggest that the cancellation might have price Cygames and its companions a minimum of US$2 million in ticket gross sales alone, with the precise prices seemingly even increased while you think about operational bills like canceling staffers’ aircraft tickets and lodging preparations, in addition to the associated fee to satisfy Cygames’ promise to reimburse fans who canceled their travel and lodging reservations over the concert’s cancellation.
As unlucky because the incident is, it is exhausting to disregard the probability that these points with visa issuance and journey to the US are associated to the Trump Administration’s makes an attempt to make it tougher for folks from abroad to come back to the U.S. for work, immigration, and on the whole. Leisure visas that already took a number of months and no small amount of cash to course of are taking even longer, and the impacts aren’t confined to the events straight concerned. At the least one fan, cosplayer Clara Tan, was even apprehended and mistreated by ICE upon flying again to her residence in New York. Her account of the incident on Facebook even accommodates an tutorial phrase: “Politics is all the time distant, till it isn’t. Immigration crackdowns do not actually have an effect on you personally till your favourite performers cannot enter the nation. Or perhaps a cosplayer you loved spending time with had her foot damaged and was detained for eighteen hours instantly following the enjoyable.”
Nicely, this piece may be very a lot overlong as is, so let’s shut issues out with some information tidbits!
- HoYoVerse’s Petit Planet life sim launches for PC and cell on December 4th, and is open for pre-registration now. The sport locations gamers on a tiny, The Little Prince-sized planet of their very own to customise and domesticate by way of farming, fishing, and different actions. They will additionally have the ability to join their planet to others to kind communities and go on expeditions.
- ANN already reported on the announcement of legendary writer/composer Jun Maeda’s cancer diagnosis, and it is frankly unattainable to understate his significance to the visible novel scene for an awesome many individuals. Maeda can also be a key artistic in Heaven Burns Purple, which, relying on how issues prove, may very well be considered one of his final works.
- Dragon Quest Smash/Grow started celebrating its half-anniversary on October twenty first, and alongside it launched a crossover occasion with Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen by way of December fifteenth. Gamers will have the ability to recruit Ragnar, Alena, Kyril, and extra.
- Elementa’s Silver Palace will launch globally on December 14th, 2026, and pre-registrations are open for the sport on cell, PC, and PS5. The sport lately concluded a 3rd closed beta take a look at, however Elementa hasn’t introduced if there will be an open take a look at interval or public demo earlier than the debut. Silver Palace is an open-world motion RPG with a fantasy Victorian/steampunk theme, the place gamers tackle the position of a famed detective fixing circumstances within the fantasy metropolis of Silvernia.
- Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy‘s subsequent character is Y’shtola Rhul, the cat-eared black mage from Ultimate Fantasy XIV. Consistent with Dissidia Duellum‘s theme of retaining its FF characters undercover in real-world Tokyo, Y’shtola’s streetwear getup disguises her cat ears with a intelligent bonnet. I played Dissidia Duellum earlier than its launch and located it partaking, even when I wasn’t positive its multiplayer focus had legs.
- Goddess of Victory: NIKKE launched its 4th anniversary occasion on November thirtieth, kicking off an occasion that dives deep into the backstory of main character Marian and including two new essential story chapters that seemingly kick off the ultimate battle of the sport’s story thus far. The anniversary additionally brings three new characters: Marian: Queen, Scarlet: Goddeath, and Rapunzel: Sanctuary, with Rapunzel handed out free to collaborating gamers.
- After a soft-launch in Southeast Asia, Netmarble has launched Vampir, a brand new Diablo-like MMORPG on PC and cell worldwide. The sport appears to have shades of old-school aggressive MMOs like Lineage (and counts a growth staff that labored on Lineage 2: Revolution and the notoriously cryptocurrency-involved Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds).
And that’ll be it from me this time. Regardless of the 12 months getting nearer to ending, issues are ramping up on this planet of video games, which guarantees busy instances forward for many who work in that area. Hold yourselves protected, and see you subsequent time!