Pearl Abyss Explores Beyond Black Desert Online
In a recent interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Pearl Abyss North America CEO JJ Jin shared insights on the company's expansion beyond its flagship MMORPG, Black Desert Online. Pearl Abyss is currently developing three new games: Crimson Desert, DokeV, and Plan 8.
DokeV: A Departure from MMORPGs
DokeV is an open-world action-adventure game targeting a broader audience than Black Desert Online. Drawing comparisons to Pokémon, it deviates from the company's usual MMORPG style. According to Jin, the development team had personal motivations for creating the game, as many developers wanted to make games they could play with their children.
Embracing Korean Culture and Folklore
One of the main goals of DokeV was to make the developers' Korean culture more apparent in the game. Jin explained that many Korean developers, including Pearl Abyss, often create typical medieval fantasy worlds for global appeal. However, with DokeV, the team sought to incorporate Korean folktales and cultural elements to create something unique yet globally appealing.
The game's name, DokeV, is derived from dokkaebi, mythical tricksters in Korean folklore akin to goblins. The decision to include Korean folktales in the game raised some concerns about whether the audience would understand the cultural elements. Despite initial hesitation, the team decided to embrace the opportunity to tell the story and make it accessible to a global audience.
The Controversial Name: DokeV
The name DokeV faced opposition due to pronunciation difficulties, including from Jin herself. However, the developers saw value in having a distinctively Korean name for the English title. Jin mentioned that the name might sound exotic to a Western audience, setting it apart from other titles.
Market Diversification and Future Plans
During the interview, Jin also touched upon the diversification of the gaming market, the growth of console gaming in Asia, and how younger generations are exploring various game genres. She emphasized that this diversification requires game companies to be smarter and adopt different monetization or business strategies, depending on their target audience.
As Pearl Abyss continues to develop its new titles, it remains focused on creating unique and engaging experiences for players worldwide. The full interview with JJ Jin can be read here.
