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Why Did 'Song of the Unsung' Decide on a Bold Collaboration with 'Genesis of the Era'?

TL;DR (2-3 Sentence Summary)
Recently, the most notable genre in the mobile game market is none other than 'idle RPGs'. Thanks to the advantage of being easy to enjoy amidst a busy daily life, the idle market can be called a true red ocean with numerous titles pouring out. Amidst this, 'Song of the Unsung', an idle RPG officially released in February, has firmly established itself in the market. It garnered high expectations by recording 1 million pre-registrations even before its launch, and after its release, it received positive reviews for various aspects such as its pixel graphics reminiscent of classic RPGs, its OST, and its low barrier to entry.
미송자의 노래 대표 이미지 (사진제공: 라이트코어게임즈)
▲ The main image for 'Song of Unsung Heroes' (Photo courtesy: Lightcore Games)

The mobile gaming market has recently seen a surge in popularity for 'idle RPGs.' Their appeal lies in being easy to enjoy amidst busy schedules, a factor that has led to widespread acclaim. However, this has also resulted in a saturated market, with a deluge of titles vying for attention.

Amidst this crowded landscape, 'Song of Unsung Heroes,' officially launched in February, has managed to carve out its niche. Pre-launch, it garnered an impressive 1 million pre-registrations, building considerable anticipation. Post-launch, it has been lauded for its nostalgic pixel graphics reminiscent of classic RPGs, its evocative OST, and its accessible gameplay. The upcoming Genesis Chronicles collaboration, kicking off on the 28th, is poised to reignite interest, and we sat down with the developers at Lightcore Games to discuss their initial vision, design philosophy, and the behind-the-scenes story of this exciting collaboration.

▲ Trailer for 'Song of Unsung Heroes' (Video source: Lightcore Games Official YouTube Channel)

Q. One of the distinctive features of 'Song of Unsung Heroes' is its use of Norse mythology as a motif, focusing on ordinary individuals rather than traditional heroes. Could you elaborate on the reasoning behind this choice?

Our starting point was the belief that it's the ordinary people, those whose names are never recorded, who truly drive history forward. We felt that the power to set a faltering world in motion again, even as the gods remain silent, comes from them. Instead of choosing the path of the 'chosen hero,' we decided to spotlight characters like a shepherdess or a wandering swordsman.

They may not have destined glory, but they press on to protect what they hold dear. 'Unsung Heroes' represents those yet to be remembered by the world, and we wanted players to experience the journey of nurturing these characters and forging their own legends.
다양한 매력을 지닌 미송자 (사진제공: 라이트코어게임즈)
▲ 'Unsung Heroes' boasting diverse charms (Photo courtesy: Lightcore Games)

Q. The idle game market is currently extremely saturated. What do you believe has been the driving force behind 'Song of Unsung Heroes' successfully establishing itself in this environment?

Our core design philosophy revolves around low commitment and high feedback. We aimed to ensure that even players who engage for short periods each day would clearly feel their progress. Simultaneously, we wanted to provide ample strategic depth for those who wish to delve deeper. Rather than fixating on increasing playtime, our focus was on delivering tangible fun and growth feedback within limited engagement.
Q. Balancing the strategic elements with the inherent convenience of idle games must have been a significant challenge.

We meticulously separated the burden of manual control from the enjoyment of strategic decision-making. Specifically, while avoiding the need for prolonged manual operation or constant logins, we ensured that party composition offered substantial strategic depth. The interplay of the four classes and six elements significantly impacts the party's rhythm, and even with the same party, the order of skill activation can dramatically alter the battle's outcome. To mitigate any sense of fatigue in this process, we implemented a level and equipment sharing system, allowing players to experiment with various combinations without the burden of extensive individual character progression.
Q. Beyond the core combat, the inclusion of various mini-games like mining, tile-matching, and Minesweeper was quite striking. Was there a particular intention behind incorporating such a variety of sub-content?

We wanted to recreate the nostalgic experience of the golden age of console RPGs, where players might momentarily forget the main story while engrossed in mini-games. These serve to punctuate the main growth loop with moments of lighthearted enjoyment, shifting the player's rhythm. Given the positive player reception, we plan to introduce more such light mini-games to offer alternatives to repetitive combat.
단조로움을 덜어내는 다양한 미니게임 (사진제공: 라이트코어게임즈)
▲ Diverse mini-games that break the monotony (Photo courtesy: Lightcore Games)

Q. Idle games are known for their rapid content consumption. What kind of end-game content are you preparing for your top-tier players?

From the early stages of development, we considered a progression structure for long-term players. Currently, 'Trials of the Gods,' 'Tower of Ascension,' and 'Guild Wars' serve as our end-game content. 'Trials of the Gods,' in particular, requires simultaneous progression of multiple characters and strategic adjustments to boss patterns, making party composition and skill synergy far more critical than raw stats.

We intend to continue adding long-term growth objectives, special mechanics that necessitate ongoing research rather than simple stat competition, and challenging bosses. Our aim is to ensure that high-level players can consistently experience the satisfaction of overcoming limits and experimenting with party compositions well into the later stages of the game.
Q. 'Song of Unsung Heroes' was initially released in Japan last year. Were there noticeable differences in playstyle between Japanese and Korean users?

Absolutely. Japanese players tend to prefer a relaxed tempo that seamlessly integrates into their daily lives, enjoying a gradual, consistent accumulation of progress. Korean players, on the other hand, are considerably more proactive and exhibit a stronger inclination towards system analysis.

In particular, Korean users have shown a tendency to deeply analyze party compositions, class matchups, and leveling efficiency right from the start. Features like the automatic battle unlock at level 50, which Japanese players accepted naturally, were met with demands for immediate unlocking by Korean users on day one. Their interest in character performance evaluations and high-difficulty content is also significantly higher.

Of course, the detailed feedback from Japanese players has also greatly contributed to the game's development. We actively incorporated their suggestions for enhancing character animations and voice acting, leading to a substantial improvement in voice acting and overall presentation quality in the Korean release version, thereby deepening player immersion.
미송자의 노래 스크린샷 (사진제공: 라이트코어게임즈)
▲ Screenshot of 'Song of Unsung Heroes' (Photo courtesy: Lightcore Games)

Q. The 'Genesis Chronicles' collaboration is set to begin on the 28th. With so many potential IPs, what led to the decision to collaborate with Genesis Chronicles?

Many within our development team are fans of Genesis Chronicles' music and the story of Heuktaeja. Genesis Chronicles stands as an unassailable monument in the history of Korean PC RPGs. As 'Song of Unsung Heroes' itself draws significant inspiration from the sensibilities of classic PC RPGs, we felt a strong compatibility between the two titles in terms of world-building and character atmosphere.

Furthermore, we prioritized the ability for players to evoke emotions and memories upon seeing the characters over mere IP recognition. Heuktaeja's tragic fate and his dignified, yet cold and warm, composure as a victor align remarkably well with the epic narrative tone of 'Song of Unsung Heroes,' which centers on ordinary individuals upholding the world.
Q. The highlight of this collaboration is the new SSR character, 'Heuktaeja.' What were the key considerations during the process of reinterpreting Heuktaeja for 'Song of Unsung Heroes'?

Genesis Chronicles 2, the original game, had somewhat limited pixel representation due to the technological constraints of its era. When adapting Heuktaeja for 'Song of Unsung Heroes,' our focus wasn't merely on increasing resolution but on re-envisioning him within the rhythmic framework of modern pixel action. We meticulously fine-tuned Heuktaeja's overwhelming presence, the weight behind his sword swings, and the rhythm of his combat movements. Naturally, his signature skill animations were designed to preserve the essence of the original work.

Conversely, we deliberately avoided overly flashy visual effects, reflecting Heuktaeja's reserved emotional expression in the presentation. Instead, we conveyed his composure and gravitas as a ruler through a colossal lava eruption and a single, impactful cleave. We believe players will immediately recognize the Heuktaeja from the original game when they see his skills.


▲ 'Heuktaeja' will be added on the 28th with the Genesis Chronicles collaboration (Photo courtesy: Lightcore Games)

Q. Are there any plans for introducing more Genesis Chronicles characters or collaborating with other IPs in the future?

We often discuss internally how characters like Cyrano or Ioline might fit into the game's world. However, our current focus is on perfecting Heuktaeja's implementation. As we are dealing with a beloved classic IP, we are approaching every step with utmost care to meet the expectations of its fans.

Should the player response to this collaboration be positive, we will actively explore the possibility of further collaborations. We are keenly discussing not only other heroes from Genesis Chronicles but also potential partnerships with various titles that embody that classic RPG sensibility. Our core objective is to evoke those cherished RPG emotions from past generations in today's players.
Q. How do you hope 'Song of Unsung Heroes' will be remembered by Korean players, and do you have any final words for them?

We hope it will be remembered as a game that players naturally feel drawn back to, even with only brief play sessions each day. While it may not be the fastest or most stimulating game, we aspire for it to be a warm experience that allows players to forge emotional connections by feeling the progression and adventure of their characters amidst their busy lives.

Engaging with Korean players, who possess a deep RPG culture and a serious approach to system analysis, has been a meaningful challenge for our team. We will continue to listen to the passionate feedback pouring in since the game's launch and diligently improve the environment. We sincerely hope that all players will forge their own wonderful adventures and memories within the game.
This news was translated by AI.