Nexon is replacing the engine of its long-standing intellectual property (IP) 'Mabinogi,' which has been in service for over 20 years since its launch in 2004. The company aims to enhance content scalability and long-term service capabilities by transitioning to a modern engine.
According to the gaming industry on September 6, Nexon is conducting the first large-scale alpha test for the 'Mabinogi Eternity' project, which involves replacing its in-house developed engine 'Playone' with Unreal Engine 5. This test, which began on September 3, allows users to experience the developing build, validating core gameplay elements from early growth to combat and life content while gathering feedback. Although characters and items created during the test will be reset after its conclusion, Nexon plans to transfer data from the currently running Mabinogi to the official launch of Eternity.
The most noticeable changes in gameplay are in graphics and spatial representation. Based on Unreal Engine 5, the expression of characters and backgrounds has improved, with more detailed environmental effects such as lighting and shadows that change with time and weather. Alpha test participants have noted that while the original Mabinogi's world and atmosphere are preserved, the details of characters and backgrounds have been enhanced.
The character creation process has also evolved. Players can now adjust age and appearance, with new features allowing for more detailed body proportion adjustments, enabling a wider variety of character designs.
Game convenience and controls have been modernized as well. The inventory structure, which has been maintained for a long time in the original Mabinogi, has been simplified, and a keyboard-centric control scheme using WASD for movement and interaction has been implemented. A shared dash function using the spacebar has also been added for combat. The aim is to eliminate some of the long-standing inconveniences while making the game more accessible to new users, rather than simply replicating the existing experience.
However, not all user feedback has been positive. Some long-time players of the original Mabinogi have expressed the need to adapt to the new controls and combat mechanics. In particular, while character movement and animations in close combat have become more natural, some players feel that the impact of attacks differs from what they are accustomed to, leading to disappointment.
Nexon's push for Eternity is rooted in the long-term potential of the Mabinogi IP. Last year, Nexon expanded the original's universe and characters to mobile platforms with the launch of 'Mabinogi Mobile.' With Eternity, the company is not only rebuilding the technical foundation of the original but also expanding the Mabinogi IP across both platforms and technologies.
Ultimately, Eternity signifies a reconstruction of the service foundation of the existing Mabinogi rather than merely adding a new game. It aims to preserve the data and experiences of current users while improving outdated technology and systems, considering the entry of new users. This approach extends the service life of the original while laying the groundwork for long-term utilization of a single IP across new platforms.
A Nexon representative stated, “Eternity is a project aimed at creating an environment where we can continuously engage with users without disrupting their experience with the original Mabinogi. Our goal is to continue developing Mabinogi with the users who have been with us for over 20 years and to achieve sustainable growth.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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