KakaoGames has begun stepping up service preparations by sharing detailed progress on a new Joseon fantasy title aimed at the mobile game market in the second half of the year.

KakaoGames on June 8 released actual in-game screen images of the new massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) "World of Dokkaebi", which is being developed by Supercat.

The newly unveiled background images include 3 locations. They are "Tavaro", which features traditional structures such as tiled roofs, thatched houses and jangseung totems; "Gwisusa", which highlights an eerie feel through bamboo groves and graves; and "Gwitaek", which captures the stillness of a ruined hanok village. A key feature is the blend of 2D dot characters and 3D backgrounds, creating both a sense of depth and a traditional atmosphere.

The game is a mobile MMORPG that emphasizes high freedom in growth, skill combinations and clan-centered cooperation, moving beyond the limits of conventional class systems. Users can build decks tailored to combat situations and develop their own play styles. Boss raids with clan members and large-scale player-versus-player (PvP) battlefields are also expected to be provided in the future.

In a recent focus group test (FGT), the game received positive evaluations for its distinctive visual elements and differentiated systems. Participants were reported to have given high scores to the Korean-style worldview and the harmony of dot graphics, as well as to non-formulaic skill combinations and clan-based cooperative content.

Cha Myung-soo (차명수), head of business at KakaoGames, said, "World of Dokkaebi is a game that breaks away from the existing competition-focused MMORPG formula and emphasizes user choice and cooperation." He added, "Based on a worldview infused with Korean sensibilities and a high degree of freedom, we will first prepare for domestic service and later plan to explore global expansion."

KakaoGames is aiming for an official launch in the third quarter and plans to begin pre-registration in July. It will then hold an online showcase in August and announce key content and the detailed service schedule.