With a year-end release on the horizon, Wemade's highly anticipated MMORPG "Legend of YMIR" is making strides towards its official launch. On August 29th, the company unveiled a Director’s Preview, offering a glimpse into the game's rich world and art design.
Following the success of "NIGHT CROWS," which launched in April 2023, "Legend of YMIR" aims to replicate that success once again. The global version of "NIGHT CROWS," featuring blockchain integration, also performed well. Wemade plans to release a blockchain-enabled global version of "Legend of YMIR" in 2025.
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During Wemade's Q2 conference call, CEO Kwan-ho Park revealed that "Legend of YMIR" received praise for its graphics and action elements in a focus group test conducted with a select group of hardcore gamers and gaming YouTubers. He added, "We are currently refining the blockchain content for the game."
The Director’s Preview was presented by PD Hoon Seok and Art Director Ji-won Kim. The game centers around the Ragnarok event, focusing on the story that unfolds before it occurs. PD Hoon Seok explained, "By exploring the events leading up to Ragnarok, we were able to tell the story in a way that is unique to 'Legend of YMIR.'"
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From left: PD Hoon Seok and Art Director Ji-won Kim of Legend of YMIR
Visually, the game emphasizes the rugged charm of Norse mythology, blending historical accuracy with fantasy in an 8:2 ratio. The art team has strived to bring a distinctive interpretation to the world of "Legend of YMIR."
The name "YMIR" itself, which is also the name of the game's continent, refers to the primordial giant in Norse mythology. The game highlights the mythical story of Ymir's body becoming the land, and this concept is echoed in the design of Asgard's Castle, a key location in the game.
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Ji-won Kim likened the grand structures in the game, such as the castle in Asgard, to the famous statues of Mount Rushmore in the United States, where historical and mythical figures are immortalized. "We aimed to capture the mythological essence of Ymir’s face within the continent's design," she explained.
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The game also features locations inspired by Norse mythology, such as Ægir's Cliff. Ægir, a giant and the god of the sea in Norse myths, is said to have turned to stone while retreating to his home in the sea during a war. The game's design brings this legend to life through its landscapes.
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Another new region, the World Tree Gorge, is an underground dungeon representing the roots of Yggdrasil from mythology. The gorge is rich in natural resources, making it a popular destination for resource gathering. The area’s blend of light and shadow creates a mysterious and fantastical atmosphere.
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When it comes to Norse mythology, iconic figures like Thor come to mind. In "Legend of YMIR," both Thor and Loki make appearances. The development team has worked to reinterpret these well-known characters in a way that fits the unique style of the game. For example, Loki’s skin tone was given a distinctive look to break away from the familiar portrayals in other media.
PD Hoon Seok elaborated, "Popular characters are often portrayed so frequently in media that their images become ingrained in people’s minds. We wanted to create versions of these characters, distinct from what players are used to."
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One of the game's most notable characters is Grna, a court musician known as a Skald. She's been with the project since its inception and is expected to be a pivotal figure in the game's narrative. To bring her to life, the development team employed an innovative approach: facial scanning with 180 cameras. By capturing the likeness of a real model in incredible detail, they achieved a level of realism that's unprecedented for the team. This ambitious endeavor marked their first foray into such advanced character-creation techniques, and the results are truly impressive.
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As "Legend of YMIR" gears up for release, Wemade is planning active engagement with the community, starting with the teaser site and Director’s Preview video. PD Hoon Seok concluded the video by saying, "We are putting a lot of thought and effort into making this a game that players will be thoroughly satisfied with."
김태만 기자 ktman21c@gamevu.co.kr
