Hello, this is the DragonSword : Awakening team.
Thank you to everyone who joined our All Day Live broadcast on August 10.
We've compiled all questions received during the 8-hour stream along with answers from Producer JYJ and PM Hooon.
🎬 Watch the Replay
※ Items marked with ✅ have been addressed in subsequent patches (1.0.7 ~ 1.0.9).
📋 Table of Contents
■ Updates & Roadmap (33 items)
■ Combat & Controls (33 items)
■ Characters (49 items)
■ Items & Equipment (48 items)
■ Dungeons & Raids (32 items)
■ Progression (16 items)
■ Multiplayer (17 items)
■ UI & Convenience (52 items)
■ Story & World (15 items)
■ Graphics & Sound (9 items)
■ Localization & Language (13 items)
■ Pricing & Monetization (14 items)
■ Platforms & Devices (8 items)
■ Merchandise & Events (9 items)
■ Performance & Optimization (2 items)
■ Release & Schedule (2 items)
■ Behind the Scenes (17 items)
■ Other (39 items)
■ Updates & Roadmap
Q. When will new story content and raid bosses be added?
A. The main story and new raid bosses take considerable time to develop, so there are no plans for this year. We're targeting the second half of next year, and will release once we're confident the content is genuinely enjoyable.
Q. When is the next patch and update notes coming?
A. Barring special issues, we plan to patch this Thursday, with update notes released the same day. Weekly patches will continue this week and next to address convenience and bug fixes as much as possible.
Q. Can you frequently add map expansions and new endgame modes?
A. Adding them frequently is realistically difficult. We expect to be able to show a new map expansion in the second half of next year.
Q. Is it true the Sky Island (Floating Island) is free and coming in December?
A. We've never said that, and any rumors circulating are false. Nothing is decided yet. The Floating Island is introduced as a hook toward the end of the story, and we plan to keep it at an enjoyment stage for now. We'll share update details once the shape is clearer.
Q. What kind of endgame content are you preparing?
A. We considered the Tower of Trials and Hunt Nightmare difficulty as endgame, but they're being consumed faster than expected. We're preparing additional endgame content to fill this gap.
Q. Can you share your development priorities and timeline?
A. Our current priorities are stability, quality-of-life improvements, and bug fixes. New content preparation is happening in parallel but at a slower pace.
Q. Will there be seasonal or limited-time events?
A. We're internally discussing event formats suitable for our package game. Nothing concrete yet, but we hope to bring something in the coming months.
Q. Will Adventure Quest numbers continue past 60?
A. Yes, additional Adventure Quests are in development. The exact release timing depends on other content priorities.
Q. Can we get a full roadmap document?
A. We shared a rough direction in this broadcast, and are considering releasing a written roadmap version soon so you can reference it anytime.
Q. What's the frequency of new character additions?
A. We plan to add characters gradually rather than all at once. The next reveal timing hasn't been fixed yet.
Q. Will there be balance patches after this one?
A. Yes, we plan to continue balance adjustments based on player feedback and gameplay data.
Q. Are there any planned collaboration or crossover events? ✅
A. Nothing concrete at the moment. We're open to opportunities but nothing to announce yet.
Q. When will the promised familiar improvements arrive?
A. We're targeting the next 2-3 patches to bring meaningful improvements to familiar mechanics.
Q. Will you release patches on a fixed schedule?
A. Currently Thursday is our target patch day. This may shift for larger updates but we aim to be consistent.
Q. Are there any large content updates before the console version?
A. Yes, we plan to deliver several content updates to PC before the console version, to establish a solid baseline.
Q. Will hero balance patches happen regularly?
A. We plan regular balance passes based on data. Major hero reworks would be less frequent.
Q. Can we get information on upcoming DLCs?
A. New DLCs are being planned but we're not ready to share specifics yet.
Q. When will crossplay be considered?
A. Crossplay is a long-term consideration, not near-term. We'd need to solve various technical challenges first.
Q. What's the plan for post-launch content pipeline?
A. We're building an internal pipeline for sustained content updates. The first meaningful new content is targeted for later this year.
Q. Will there be any surprise announcements soon?
A. We can't share unannounced items, but we're preparing several things we hope will be well-received.
Q. Are there plans to expand the Familiar system?
A. Yes, we plan to introduce new Familiars and expand their utility. Timeline is TBD.
Q. Will hero side stories or personal quests expand?
A. We plan to add more Hero Quests and personal storylines gradually as part of the content pipeline.
Q. When can we expect the next major story chapter?
A. The next major story arc will take significant time. We're targeting mid-to-late next year.
Q. Will you add difficulty adjustments to existing content?
A. Yes, we're evaluating difficulty tuning for existing content, particularly Adventure Quests and dungeons.
Q. Are you planning content specifically for veteran players?
A. Yes, this is on our radar. Endgame and challenge content updates are being planned.
Q. Will there be Steam Workshop support in the future? ✅
A. Currently under review. Scope and timing to be shared once decisions are finalized.
Q. Are there any planned QOL updates before the next content patch?
A. Yes, several QOL improvements are scheduled for the coming weekly patches.
Q. What's the plan for controller-specific improvements?
A. We're actively addressing controller feedback. Several controller-specific fixes are being prepared.
Q. Will there be player-created content support?
A. This is a longer-term consideration, tied to Steam Workshop discussions.
Q. How often will you communicate with the community?
A. We're planning to broadcast every 1-2 months, with weekly patch notes and Discord updates in between.
Q. Any teaser for future storyline direction?
A. The Floating Island and events surrounding the main antagonist are the next major beats. Specifics to come.
Q. Will there be additional raid content beyond Ursula?
A. Yes, additional raid bosses are in development for release in the coming year.
Q. Will we see a New Game+ mode?
A. It's an option we're evaluating internally. No firm decision yet.
■ Combat & Controls
Q. Can you change the slower parts of the combat system?
A. Combat tempo is fundamental to the game's identity, so drastically changing the slower parts is realistically difficult.
Q. A certain hero composition feels too strong — is a balance patch needed?
A. We believe the peak difference between team compositions isn't very large. Since bosses have different weaknesses and content can be cleared without specific comps, we're not planning short-term patches.
Q. Can you improve targeting for ranged characters?
A. Yes, we identified issues with projectile aim and are patching some this week, with additional projectile improvements next week.
Q. Will there be more combo variety for melee characters?
A. We're gradually adding combo options through skill adjustments and hero updates.
Q. Can dodge and dash cancel be more intuitive?
A. We identified some issues with dodge-to-dash cancellation and fixed several. More improvements are being tested.
Q. Is auto-target/lock-on being improved?
A. Yes, target lock-on improvements are being worked on and will roll out in stages.
Q. Can you improve the switch (tag) system response time?
A. We're evaluating tag switch tempo. Some responsiveness improvements are being tested internally.
Q. Will there be a training or practice mode?
A. A dedicated training mode is under consideration but not immediate priority.
Q. Can you clarify the perfect dodge window?
A. Yes, we're planning UI feedback improvements to make the perfect dodge window clearer.
Q. Some skills feel underused — will they be buffed?
A. We regularly review skill usage data. Underused skills are candidates for future balance adjustments.
Q. Can we get more input options for skill activation?
A. We're evaluating additional input configurations, particularly for controller users.
Q. Is the parry system going to be expanded?
A. Parry mechanics are considered fundamental. Expansion possibilities are being evaluated.
Q. Will there be counterattack mechanics for all heroes?
A. Counterattack mechanics are being reviewed per-hero. Not all heroes will get identical mechanics.
Q. Can you address animation cancels that break combat flow?
A. Yes, we identified several problematic cancels and are fixing them progressively.
Q. Will jump attacks get more variety?
A. Aerial combat is being reviewed as a whole. Improvements will roll out gradually.
Q. Can you reduce input lag on skill activation?
A. We're actively investigating input responsiveness. Improvements will be delivered when identified.
Q. Will there be adjustments to signal skills?
A. Signal skills are core to combat identity. Adjustments happen carefully but are ongoing.
Q. Can we get better visual feedback on hits?
A. Hit feedback is being reviewed. Some visual improvements are being tested.
Q. Will difficulty scaling be adjusted?
A. Difficulty scaling adjustments are being evaluated based on player progression data.
Q. Can we adjust camera behavior during combat?
A. Camera behavior improvements are ongoing. Several controller-specific issues are being addressed.
Q. Will multi-hit skills be balanced?
A. Multi-hit skill balance is reviewed regularly. Adjustments made as needed.
Q. Are there plans for defensive skill improvements?
A. Defensive mechanics are being reviewed for each hero individually.
Q. Will there be different combat modes (e.g., aggressive/defensive)?
A. Alternative combat stance modes are not planned in the near term.
Q. Can you add a combo counter display?
A. A combo counter UI is being considered but not confirmed.
Q. Will there be improvements to boss combat pacing?
A. Yes, we're actively reviewing boss encounter pacing across the game.
Q. Are stagger/stun mechanics being adjusted?
A. Stagger balance is being reviewed and will be adjusted based on data.
Q. Can I customize skill button layouts?
A. Custom button layouts are being evaluated for future implementation.
Q. Will there be a way to preview skill damage?
A. Skill damage preview is being considered but not confirmed.
Q. Are boss patterns being made more readable?
A. Yes, we're reviewing boss telegraphs for readability improvements.
Q. Will you add advanced combat tutorials?
A. Advanced combat guidance is being considered for future updates.
Q. Can we get input display for training/streaming?
A. This feature is being considered for a future update.
Q. Will there be adjustments to weapon block/parry timing?
A. Weapon-specific timing adjustments are reviewed per hero as needed.
Q. Are there plans for character-specific ultimate visuals?
A. Ultimate visual enhancements are being considered on a per-hero basis.
■ Characters
Q. Are there plans to add Ursula as a playable character?
A. There are no plans to make Ursula playable. She was designed as a boss and isn't suitable as a playable character.
Q. Will there be a costume/skin for Ysera?
A. Ysera is one of the 6 story heroes, so there are no current skin plans. If demand is high we could consider it, but skins require redoing combat sounds and voice work, so it's difficult.
Q. Will there be more character-specific costumes?
A. Yes, we plan to continue releasing costumes for various heroes. Selection is based on internal priority and character exposure.
Q. Can we get a next character reveal preview?
A. We plan to reveal upcoming characters through broadcasts and community posts as they get closer to release.
Q. Are there plans to add characters from other genres or archetypes?
A. We're aware of the desire for variety. New character archetypes are being planned but timelines vary.
Q. Will side characters like Fio be added as familiars or NPCs?
A. Some side characters could appear in various roles. Nothing concrete yet.
Q. Any plans to buff underused characters?
A. We regularly review character usage data. Underused characters are prioritized for balance adjustments.
Q. Can a specific character get a rework?
A. Character reworks are considered case-by-case based on data and feedback.
Q. Will there be more male playable heroes?
A. Yes, we plan to add more male heroes over time to keep the roster balanced.
Q. Are you planning any character with unique gameplay mechanics?
A. Yes, upcoming characters are being designed with distinctive mechanics.
Q. Will DLC characters ever be added, or all through gameplay?
A. All base heroes are obtainable through gameplay. Additional characters may come through updates.
Q. Can we get color/appearance customization for characters?
A. Color palette customization for existing costumes is being considered.
Q. Will there be voice options for characters?
A. Alternative voice options are not planned in the near term.
Q. Are hero-specific quests getting expanded?
A. Yes, additional Hero Quests are planned. Timing depends on other priorities.
Q. Can we get more character interactions during exploration?
A. Character interactions during exploration are being expanded gradually.
Q. Will there be team synergy mechanics?
A. Team composition affects gameplay through skills and stats, but explicit team synergy bonuses aren't planned.
Q. Are there plans for character emotes or gestures?
A. Emote features are being considered but not confirmed.
Q. Can we get character-specific home/room customization?
A. Not planned in the near term.
Q. Will there be story revealing characters' pasts?
A. Yes, more character backstory content is planned through Hero Quests.
Q. Are all characters at the same power level?
A. We aim to keep characters roughly comparable in power, though playstyles differ.
Q. Will there be limited-time character events?
A. We're considering various event formats. Character-focused events may come.
Q. Can we play as villain characters?
A. Playing villain characters isn't planned in the main game.
Q. Are there plans for guest characters from other IPs?
A. No guest character collaborations planned currently.
Q. Will there be character growth systems beyond Awakening?
A. Additional growth systems are being considered.
Q. Can we get character-specific lore books or codex expansions?
A. Codex content is being expanded gradually.
Q. Are there plans for a duo/pair-based character system?
A. Some characters may have relationship-based mechanics, but no formal pair system planned.
Q. Will Cerese's role in the story expand?
A. Yes, Cerese has significant upcoming story content.
Q. Can we get more hero unlock quests?
A. Additional hero acquisition quests are being planned as new heroes are added.
Q. Will there be a way to preview a character before unlocking?
A. Character preview options are being considered for the Codex.
Q. Can we skip character intro dialogues?
A. A skip option is being considered.
Q. Will Kalsion get expanded playable content?
A. Kalsion's Hero Quest and content will expand over time.
Q. Are there plans for character-specific music themes?
A. Character themes exist for some heroes; expansion is being considered.
Q. Can we get character-specific title cards or intros?
A. Some characters have distinctive intros. Expansion may come.
Q. Will Roxy's aerial mechanics get more depth?
A. Yes, aerial mechanics improvements including for Roxy are being reviewed.
Q. Are there any hidden or secret characters?
A. No hidden characters exist in the current game.
Q. Will there be a character with healer/support focus?
A. Support-focused characters are being considered but nothing to announce.
Q. Can characters swap their signature skills?
A. Skill swap is not planned as a mechanic.
Q. Will there be more Familiars tied to characters?
A. Character-tied familiars are being considered.
Q. Will Kalien get more content?
A. Yes, additional Kalien content is planned including Hero Quest expansions.
Q. Are the Awakening tiers going to be expanded past 6?
A. The 6-tier Awakening system is designed as-is. Further expansion isn't planned near-term.
Q. Can we get character-specific mount options?
A. Character-specific mounts aren't a core feature but may be considered.
Q. Will there be crossover Familiars?
A. No crossover Familiars planned.
Q. Are there plans for character weapon variety within a hero?
A. Character weapon variants are handled through weapon skins currently.
Q. Can we get more Bond Quest content?
A. Yes, Bond Quests are being planned for expansion.
Q. Will there be characters focused on stealth mechanics?
A. Charlotte's stealth is a distinctive mechanic. Additional stealth focus not planned near-term.
Q. Are there plans for characters with transformation mechanics?
A. Transformation mechanics are being considered for specific future characters.
Q. Will each hero get personalized endings? ✅
A. Personalized endings aren't planned. Story flows through the main character journey.
Q. Can we choose favorite character to feature in menus?
A. Featured character selection is available in the Team menu.
Q. Will there be character-specific challenge modes?
A. Character challenges are being considered for future updates.
■ Items & Equipment
Q. Why is there no full-set effect when 2-set and 3-set effects exist?
A. We wanted players to freely combine equipment sets. If we created full-set effects, one meta build would be forced. To broaden choices, we designed 2-set and 3-set effects instead.
Q. Can food (cooking/potion) cooldowns be reduced further?
A. Each dish has distinct cooldowns to preserve variety, so we don't plan to reduce further. When we tested with shorter cooldowns, players ended up just eating without moving — which we wanted to avoid.
Q. Can we get more inventory sorting/filter options?
A. Yes, inventory management improvements are being planned.
Q. Will there be an item auto-sell feature?
A. An item deletion feature is in development. Currently focused on Runes and cooking (including ingredients). We're avoiding making all items deletable to prevent accidents.
Q. Can we increase the maximum stack size for items?
A. Stack size increases are being evaluated. Some rare items have limitations for game design reasons.
Q. Will equipment upgrades and reforge get more transparent?
A. Yes, we're planning UI improvements to clarify upgrade and reforge outcomes.
Q. Can we get an item favorite/lock feature?
A. An item lock feature is being considered.
Q. Will there be more accessory slots?
A. Additional accessory slots aren't planned in the near term.
Q. Can we exchange duplicate items? ✅
A. Item exchange systems are being considered for future updates.
Q. Will there be item transmog (appearance change)?
A. Costume weapon skins are our current answer to this. Broader transmog is being considered.
Q. Can we get bulk crafting/reforge?
A. Bulk crafting is being planned for future updates.
Q. Will there be seasonal or limited-time items?
A. Seasonal items are being considered as part of event planning.
Q. Can we increase gold/currency limits?
A. Currency limits are being evaluated. Rune inventory expansion (200→500) was recently done.
Q. Will there be item preview before purchase?
A. Preview before purchase is being considered for the shop UI.
Q. Can we get an item recovery/undo feature?
A. An item recovery feature has technical challenges but is being explored.
Q. Will there be more variety in cooking recipes?
A. Yes, additional cooking recipes are planned.
Q. Can we automate resource collection?
A. Automation isn't planned as it would undermine gathering gameplay.
Q. Will there be equipment rerolling for specific stats?
A. Reroll systems are being considered as part of reforge improvements.
Q. Can we get more storage space?
A. Storage expansion is being evaluated.
Q. Will Rune synthesis get more diverse outputs?
A. Yes, we recently added 5-star Rune outcomes from 4-star synthesis.
Q. Are there plans for legendary or unique equipment?
A. Unique equipment tiers are being considered for endgame content.
Q. Can we get an equipment loadout save feature?
A. Loadout save/swap is being planned.
Q. Will there be more variety in enchant options?
A. Enchant variety is being reviewed as part of ongoing balance work.
Q. Can Runes be traded or gifted?
A. Trading is not planned for our single-player focused game.
Q. Will there be item durability?
A. Durability isn't planned. We prefer players focus on progression.
Q. Can we get item comparison in tooltip?
A. Item comparison is being considered as a UI improvement.
Q. Will there be more currency types?
A. Additional currency types are added as needed for new systems, but we try to minimize.
Q. Can we get materials from dismantling equipment?
A. Dismantle mechanics are being considered.
Q. Will accessories get set effects?
A. Accessory set effects are being considered as part of equipment expansion.
Q. Can Familiar-related items be expanded?
A. Familiar-related content expansion is planned.
Q. Will there be item tier upgrades? ✅
A. Tier upgrade systems are being reviewed.
Q. Can we mass-consume cooking items?
A. Bulk consumption is being considered for QOL updates.
Q. Will there be more variety in weapon appearances?
A. Yes, weapon skins are being planned as ongoing content.
Q. Can we get gathering location markers?
A. Gathering location display improvements are being considered.
Q. Will Costume weapon skins be expanded?
A. Yes, weapon skins are being expanded alongside costume releases.
Q. Can we craft food ingredients?
A. Ingredient crafting isn't planned currently.
Q. Will there be item drop rate transparency?
A. Drop rate information is being added to the Options menu progressively.
Q. Are there plans for item filters at the shop?
A. Shop filter improvements are being planned.
Q. Can equipment be shared across characters?
A. Equipment is character-specific by design.
Q. Will Familiar equipment be added?
A. Familiar-specific equipment isn't planned currently.
Q. Are there plans for consumables beyond cooking?
A. Cooking is our primary consumable system. New consumable categories aren't planned.
Q. Can we get materials from world bosses?
A. World Boss rewards are being expanded as of the recent patch.
Q. Will there be seasonal cooking recipes?
A. Seasonal recipes are being considered as part of event planning.
Q. Can old event items be re-obtainable?
A. Re-obtainable event items are being considered for future events.
Q. Will there be more variety in Rune stats?
A. Rune variety is being reviewed.
Q. Can items be sent to other characters?
A. Item transfer between characters isn't planned.
Q. Will there be equipment-specific quests?
A. Some equipment is tied to quest rewards. Additional equipment quests may come.
Q. Can we get a shortcut to reforge from inventory?
A. Reforge shortcut is being considered.
■ Dungeons & Raids
Q. Isn't clearing platformer dungeons with specific characters like Reina unfair?
A. Originally, unlike gacha era, we wanted all characters to be usable. But when we improved jumping just before launch, characters with smaller stature became very difficult to clear platformer dungeons with.
Q. The Ursula Raid is too long and boring — will it be adjusted? ✅
A. This week's patch will reduce Ursula's length to nearly half. Phases will be reduced to two — one humanoid battle, one dragon battle — and unnecessary wind-path sections will all be removed.
Q. Will there be more raid bosses?
A. Yes, additional raid bosses are being planned.
Q. Can dungeon clear rewards be improved?
A. Yes, dungeon and raid clear rewards are being increased 2-2.5x with this week's patch.
Q. Will Tower of Trials get new floors?
A. Tower of Trials expansion is being planned as endgame content.
Q. Are there plans for co-op dungeons? ✅
A. Multiplayer dungeons already exist. Expanding co-op-specific content is being considered.
Q. Can we skip cutscenes on repeat dungeon runs?
A. Yes, cutscene skip improvements are being planned.
Q. Will there be difficulty scaling for dungeons?
A. Difficulty scaling for existing dungeons is being reviewed.
Q. Can we get random/roguelike dungeon modes?
A. Roguelike modes are being considered but not near-term.
Q. Will hidden bosses be added to existing dungeons?
A. Hidden bosses are being considered as part of dungeon updates.
Q. Are there plans for weekly raid rewards?
A. Weekly reward structures are being considered.
Q. Can we get raid difficulty options?
A. Raid difficulty options are being considered.
Q. Will there be more variety in dungeon objectives?
A. Objective variety is being reviewed for future dungeon design.
Q. Can we get a dungeon leaderboard?
A. Leaderboard systems are being considered.
Q. Will raid mechanics be documented in-game?
A. In-game raid guides are being considered.
Q. Can we practice raid mechanics solo?
A. Solo raid practice modes are being considered.
Q. Will there be seasonal raids?
A. Seasonal event raids are being considered for future events.
Q. Can we skip already-cleared raid phases? ✅
A. Phase skipping isn't planned as it affects mechanics.
Q. Will dungeon respawn timers be adjusted?
A. World Boss and Sudden Mission respawns were just adjusted to 2 hours.
Q. Are there plans for open-world dungeons? ✅
A. Open-world exploration content is being expanded gradually.
Q. Can dungeon party matchmaking be improved?
A. Multiplayer matchmaking improvements are ongoing including recent Quick Entry feature.
Q. Will there be endgame-specific dungeons?
A. Yes, endgame-specific content is being planned.
Q. Can we get dungeon-specific achievements?
A. Additional achievements including for dungeons are being added.
Q. Will trap or puzzle dungeons be added?
A. Puzzle elements are being considered for dungeon variety.
Q. Are there plans for time-attack modes?
A. Time-attack modes are being evaluated.
Q. Can raid rewards be improved?
A. Yes, raid rewards were just increased with the recent patch.
Q. Will Barduk get new difficulty tiers?
A. Nightmare difficulty achievement was just added. Further tiers are being considered.
Q. Can we replay favorite raids?
A. Replay options for cleared raids are already in place.
Q. Will there be community raid events?
A. Community raid events are being considered for future events.
Q. Are dungeons tuned for solo play?
A. Yes, all dungeons are tuned to be soloable.
Q. Can we get raid boss preview or trailers?
A. Boss reveals are handled through story and updates.
Q. Will there be dungeon modifier options (mutators)?
A. Mutator systems are being evaluated for future updates.
■ Progression
Q. Can you ease the progression difficulty and lack of farming rewards? ✅
A. Various progression elements are being eased, and materials needed for growth are being improved. This week's patch increases Currency/Trait/Normal Dungeon rewards by 2-2.5x, and gathering yields more than double. In dungeons, defeating the boss without opening chests immediately triggers the clear reward screen, and Hunt reward-chest timing is shortened. Sudden Missions and World Bosses now respawn every 2 hours.
Q. Title acquisition feels too grindy — can it be adjusted?
A. There is grind, but titles aren't essential to gameplay. Since players already have titles, changing conditions now would carry risk.
Q. Can Rune farming be improved?
A. Rune inventory was recently expanded (200→500), and 5-star Runes can now be obtained from 4-star synthesis. More improvements are being reviewed.
Q. Will character progression paths be diversified?
A. We're reviewing progression variety. Diversification may come through future content.
Q. Are there plans for account-wide progression bonuses?
A. Account-wide bonuses are being considered but not confirmed.
Q. Can we get more late-game progression content?
A. Yes, endgame progression is a priority area for future updates.
Q. Will there be Awakening material shortcuts?
A. Material yield improvements are ongoing including this week's patch.
Q. Can catch-up mechanics be added for new heroes?
A. Catch-up mechanics are being considered.
Q. Will progression currency be unified?
A. Currency unification isn't planned as different currencies serve different systems.
Q. Can we get progression roadmap in-game?
A. In-game progression guides are being considered.
Q. Will trait dungeons have improved rewards?
A. Yes, Trait Dungeon rewards were just increased.
Q. Are there plans for progression respec?
A. Respec systems are being considered for character customization.
Q. Will there be shortcuts for early progression?
A. Early progression is being smoothed through recent patches.
Q. Can we get progression share between characters?
A. Some elements share across characters. Full sharing isn't planned.
Q. Will progression pacing be reviewed?
A. Yes, pacing is regularly reviewed based on data and feedback.
Q. Are there plans for progression events?
A. Progression-boost events are being considered.
■ Multiplayer
Q. Are there plans to improve multiplayer? ✅
A. Multiplayer improvements will continue. We recognize that many aspects were rushed to service and remain lacking.
Q. Will co-op play with friends in the open world be possible?
A. We want to enable it and understand the requests, but the workload is larger than expected, so it won't happen quickly. It's included in our final goals but will take significant time.
Q. Can matchmaking be improved?
A. Yes, matchmaking improvements are ongoing. Quick Entry was recently added, and Retry is scheduled for next week.
Q. Will guild/clan systems be added?
A. Guild systems aren't planned in the near term for our single-player focused game.
Q. Can we get voice or text chat in multiplayer?
A. Voice/text chat isn't planned currently.
Q. Will region matching be improved?
A. Yes, region matching improvements are being planned. Lobby search range setting was recently added.
Q. Can multiplayer host migration be added?
A. Host migration is being evaluated but has technical complexity.
Q. Will there be multiplayer-only rewards?
A. Multiplayer-specific rewards are being considered.
Q. Can we invite friends directly from Steam?
A. Steam friend invitation is supported. Improvements to the flow are being considered.
Q. Will player count in raids be adjustable?
A. Player count for existing raids is fixed. New content may explore other counts.
Q. Are there plans for asymmetric multiplayer?
A. Asymmetric modes aren't planned currently.
Q. Can multiplayer session length be extended?
A. Session limits are being reviewed.
Q. Will there be multiplayer tournaments?
A. Community tournaments are being considered as events.
Q. Can we spectate other players?
A. Spectator mode isn't planned currently.
Q. Will there be cross-region play?
A. Cross-region play is being evaluated for future improvement.
Q. Can multiplayer party sizes vary by content?
A. Party sizes are content-specific by design.
Q. Will multiplayer save-sharing be considered?
A. Save-sharing between players isn't planned.
■ UI & Convenience
Q. Can you add a feature to sell or delete unnecessary items (Runes, food, etc.)?
A. An item deletion feature is planned and in development, focused on Runes and cooking (including ingredients). Making all items deletable risks accidents, so we're limiting scope.
Q. Can you add an auto-skip cutscene feature?
A. We understood this as wanting to skip cutscenes before the skip button appears. We'll consider it.
Q. Can we get better minimap functionality? ✅
A. Minimap improvements are being planned including map pin capacity (100→200 was recently applied).
Q. Will the UI support 4K/ultrawide better?
A. Wider resolution support is being reviewed.
Q. Can we get a quest tracker overlay?
A. A quest tracker is being considered.
Q. Will there be UI scaling options?
A. UI scaling options are being considered.
Q. Can we get more info on tooltips?
A. Tooltip content is being expanded progressively.
Q. Will there be a photo/screenshot mode?
A. Photo mode is being considered but not immediate priority.
Q. Can we customize the HUD?
A. HUD customization is being considered for future updates.
Q. Will there be a codex search function?
A. Codex search is being considered.
Q. Can chat display be improved in multiplayer?
A. Chat display improvements are being considered.
Q. Will there be favorites/pin for menus?
A. Menu favorites feature is being considered.
Q. Can we get key rebinding for all functions?
A. Full key rebinding is being reviewed.
Q. Will there be a notification history?
A. Notification history is being considered.
Q. Can we quickly access frequently used menus?
A. Quick access improvements are being planned including menu shortcuts (recently added toggle-close).
Q. Will inventory search be added?
A. Inventory search improvements are being considered.
Q. Can we adjust text speed in dialogue? ✅
A. Text speed adjustment is being considered.
Q. Will there be a compact HUD mode?
A. Compact HUD mode is being considered.
Q. Can we get better colorblind support?
A. Colorblind mode improvements are being reviewed.
Q. Will there be a font size option?
A. Font size adjustment is being considered.
Q. Can we get subtitle style options?
A. Subtitle style options are being considered.
Q. Will there be UI dark/light mode?
A. UI theme options aren't currently planned.
Q. Can auto-loot be added?
A. Auto-loot is being considered for QOL improvements.
Q. Will there be a to-do list feature?
A. To-do list feature is being considered.
Q. Can we get an achievement tracker?
A. Achievement tracking improvements are being considered.
Q. Will there be quest sorting options? ✅
A. Quest sorting improvements are being considered.
Q. Can we favorite items in inventory?
A. Item favorites/lock is being considered.
Q. Will there be inventory presets?
A. Inventory preset system isn't planned currently.
Q. Can we skip loading tips?
A. Loading tips are informational; skip isn't planned.
Q. Will there be advanced controller settings?
A. Advanced controller settings are being reviewed.
Q. Can we get gyro aim support?
A. Gyro aim support is being evaluated for Steam Deck and controllers.
Q. Will there be macro support?
A. Macro support isn't planned to preserve gameplay balance.
Q. Can we get UI hide toggle for screenshots?
A. UI hide toggle for screenshots is being considered.
Q. Will there be a mini-map zoom option?
A. Mini-map zoom is being considered.
Q. Can we get quest waypoint improvements?
A. Waypoint clarity is being reviewed.
Q. Will map exploration percentage be more visible?
A. Exploration display improvements are being considered.
Q. Can we get better fast travel UI?
A. Fast travel UI is being reviewed.
Q. Will there be tab reordering in menus? ✅
A. Tab customization is being considered.
Q. Can we get one-click purchase in shops?
A. One-click purchase is being evaluated.
Q. Will damage numbers be more customizable?
A. Damage number display options are being considered.
Q. Can we hide UI elements individually?
A. Individual UI element hiding is being considered.
Q. Will the loading screen be more informative?
A. Loading screen improvements are being considered.
Q. Can quest text be increased in size?
A. Text size options are being considered.
Q. Will there be a settings backup/export?
A. Settings export is being considered.
Q. Can we get a dedicated help/tutorial button?
A. Help access improvements are being considered.
Q. Will there be onboarding for new players?
A. Onboarding improvements are being reviewed.
Q. Can we get default sort settings per menu?
A. Per-menu default settings are being considered.
Q. Will there be a notification for max stack?
A. Max stack notifications are being considered.
Q. Can we get combat log?
A. Combat log feature is being considered.
Q. Will there be a dedicated PC/PS/Xbox button prompt setting?
A. Controller button prompt options are being reviewed.
Q. Can we get warning before deleting items?
A. Delete confirmation is being planned.
Q. Will there be a way to compare gear stats visually?
A. Gear comparison UI is being considered.
■ Story & World
Q. Story quests have too much back-and-forth travel — can this be improved?
A. We recognize the tedium of back-and-forth routes and will minimize it in upcoming quests. Eastern regions like Kalien and Dana's Hero Quests without portals or warp points will be reviewed and improved.
Q. Are there plans to replay the story from the beginning?
A. No plans. Please enjoy by creating a new character in a new save slot.
Q. Will there be more world lore in the codex?
A. Codex lore is being expanded gradually.
Q. Can we get a story summary or recap feature?
A. A recap feature is being considered.
Q. Will there be branching story choices?
A. Branching narrative isn't planned in the main story.
Q. Are there hidden lore items?
A. Some hidden lore exists in exploration. More is being added.
Q. Will there be story DLC?
A. Major story content is planned as free updates, not paid DLC.
Q. Can we get a story timeline in-game?
A. Timeline reference is being considered.
Q. Will there be more NPC dialogue variety?
A. NPC dialogue variety is being expanded.
Q. Are there plans for a story journal?
A. Journal features are being considered.
Q. Will there be prequel content?
A. Prequel content isn't planned currently.
Q. Can we get more info about villains?
A. Additional villain lore is being planned.
Q. Will major NPCs get their own stories?
A. Some major NPCs will get expanded content through updates.
Q. Are there plans for a settlement/village system?
A. Village-building systems aren't planned currently.
Q. Will the mystery of the Orbis Continent expand?
A. Yes, world lore expansion is planned through updates.
■ Graphics & Sound
Q. Are there plans to improve existing model textures?
A. We continue to discuss internally but haven't been able to progress due to other work. Improvements aren't expected in the short term.
Q. Can you add a special effect when acquiring a character?
A. Yes, as early as next week, an acquisition effect for characters obtained from the Exchange Shop is likely to be added.
Q. Will there be additional visual effect options?
A. Visual effect options are being considered.
Q. Can we get raytracing support?
A. Raytracing support is being evaluated.
Q. Will animations be smoothed?
A. Animation improvements are ongoing per character review.
Q. Can we get more music variety?
A. Music variety is being expanded gradually.
Q. Will voice line variety be increased?
A. Voice line expansion is being considered where feasible.
Q. Are there plans for cinematic upgrades?
A. Cinematic quality upgrades are being reviewed.
Q. Can we get environmental audio improvements?
A. Audio improvements are ongoing.
■ Localization & Language
Q. Many are asking about English dubbing — any plans?
A. We're starting with English dubbing as it has the most demand, and we're currently checking with dubbing studios and confirming costs. Not a firm commitment, but internally we're targeting a somewhat ambitious late-December update. Before dubbing, we're prioritizing improving English main quest translation quality to be more natural, and we're looking for volunteers to help — a formal announcement will come through Discord.
Q. Are there plans to add full voice acting to Hero Quests?
A. We know the demand exists but it's currently our lowest priority. Overseas dubbing including English will happen first.
Q. Will translation quality be improved?
A. Yes, ongoing translation quality improvements including natural language passes are planned.
Q. Can we get community translation support?
A. Community translation assistance is being explored, particularly for Italian which was volunteered.
Q. Will Thai support be added?
A. Thai isn't currently planned, but if volunteers help, we could consider it.
Q. Are there plans for Russian, Portuguese, or Spanish?
A. Additional languages are being evaluated based on demand and feasibility.
Q. Will Italian be officially added?
A. Italian is being positively evaluated internally with a volunteer helping. Timing is being discussed.
Q. Can we get real-time text-to-speech accessibility?
A. Accessibility features including screen reader support are being reviewed.
Q. Will Arabic support be considered?
A. Additional languages are considered based on feasibility. No firm commitment yet.
Q. Can we get language-specific voice options?
A. Different language voice options are being considered as part of dubbing plans.
Q. Will there be regional dialect support?
A. Regional variants aren't planned currently.
Q. Are subtitles being improved?
A. Subtitle improvements are ongoing.
Q. Will localization patches be more frequent?
A. Localization fixes are included in regular patches as identified.
■ Pricing & Monetization
Q. Can you share upcoming costume plans?
A. The recently-released 3 swimsuits vastly exceeded expectations, with over 100,000 sold combined. We apologize for the delayed release of one of them, and going forward we'll carefully verify to not miss scheduled release dates.
Q. Excluding swimsuits, what's the best-selling costume?
A. The 'Black-Dyed Vestment' (Theresia's costume) sold the most.
Q. Will there be a season pass?
A. Season passes aren't planned for our package game model.
Q. Are there discount plans for existing DLCs?
A. DLC discounts follow Steam's standard schedule.
Q. Will costume prices be adjusted?
A. Costume prices are set based on internal criteria and market rates.
Q. Can we get a costume bundle discount for owners?
A. Bundle discounts already apply through Complete the Set on Steam.
Q. Will there be free costume events?
A. Free familiar events like Abyssal Direwolf have happened. Costume events are being considered.
Q. Are there plans for gifting DLCs?
A. Steam gifting is supported through the platform.
Q. Will limited-time DLC be offered?
A. Limited-time DLCs are being considered for special events.
Q. Can we get a refund for accidentally-purchased DLCs?
A. Please contact Steam Support for refunds.
Q. Will there be pay-what-you-want or tip options?
A. Not planned. We appreciate community support through purchases.
Q. Are there plans for microtransactions beyond costumes?
A. No microtransaction plans beyond cosmetic items.
Q. Will DLC be discounted with base game bundles?
A. Bundle options are being considered.
Q. Can we get a costume subscription?
A. Subscription models aren't planned.
■ Platforms & Devices
Q. What's the plan for console (PS5, Xbox) ports?
A. Platform ports start with PS5, which has more users. Xbox is lower priority and won't happen in the short term.
Q. Are there more plans for controller vibration support?
A. No additional plans currently. Other work has higher focus.
Q. When will Nintendo Switch 2 version release?
A. Interest was registered but requires Nintendo developer status, UE5 porting, and Lotcheck certification. Timeline is TBD.
Q. Will Steam Deck get official support?
A. Steam Deck compatibility improvements are ongoing including recent cooking cooldown fixes.
Q. Are there plans for macOS or Linux support?
A. Not planned currently. Steam Deck via Proton is supported.
Q. Will there be mobile companion apps?
A. Companion apps aren't planned currently.
Q. Can we get cloud save support?
A. Steam Cloud save is supported.
Q. Are there plans for touchscreen support?
A. Steam Deck touch support is being reviewed.
■ Merchandise & Events
Q. Are there plans to distribute rewards (like feed) to players?
A. Unlike live-service games, package games have limited means to distribute rewards after purchase. We're considering other ways to reward players, and will share once the shape becomes clearer.
Q. Are there plans to officially sell the created merchandise?
A. No sales plans yet. Previous merch had circumstances preventing use, so with JYJ's input and designer participation, we made 20 character keycaps including Ryza and are considering a lottery for 3 selected characters.
Q. Will there be a merchandise store?
A. A dedicated merch store isn't planned in the near term.
Q. Can we get in-game commemorative items?
A. Commemorative items for milestones are being considered.
Q. Will there be community art contests?
A. Community events including art contests are being considered.
Q. Are there plans for physical goods (posters, artbook)?
A. Physical goods releases are being evaluated.
Q. Will there be a fan kit or press kit for creators?
A. Press kits exist for streamers/creators. Broader fan kits are being considered.
Q. Can we get seasonal in-game events?
A. Seasonal events are being planned as we shape our event pipeline.
Q. Will there be community milestone celebrations?
A. Yes, we celebrate community milestones with dedicated posts and events.
■ Performance & Optimization
Q. Do crash reports actually help?
A. All content sent through crash report windows is passed to the development team. It significantly helps us fix bugs quickly and identify crash causes — please do send them.
Q. How about the infinite loading issue?
A. Please report if you encounter it. Aside from mod usage or direct-update patch-related cases, we haven't received reports of sudden system issues yet.
■ Release & Schedule
Q. Any plans regarding your previous title Hundred Soul?
A. Nothing confirmed — we're internally reviewing feasibility. Not sure if it can be done easily, and the decision itself will take some time.
Q. Can Ryza be released faster?
A. Faster release is difficult. There's related work like dubbing that can't be rushed.
■ Behind the Scenes
Q. Is there a dedicated story writer?
A. Yes, one person.
Q. Please raise the salary of Cerese's bikini modeler.
A. While the modeler did great work, various engine features and additional work went in too, so all involved deserve appreciation. The swimsuit video was picked up by adult media outlets and got a lot of exposure.
Q. How large is the development team?
A. The team consists of dozens of members across various disciplines.
Q. How long has the game been in development?
A. Development has spanned several years including transitions from previous versions.
Q. How do team decisions happen?
A. Decisions are typically discussed among leads with final direction set by the director.
Q. Are there any recurring internal jokes?
A. Yes — HOOON's ambitious project timelines are a running joke.
Q. What game engine do you use?
A. Unreal Engine 5.
Q. How do you handle work-life balance?
A. We try to maintain reasonable work hours despite tight schedules.
Q. What was the hardest part of development?
A. Balancing quality and timeline throughout the transition from previous versions was the hardest.
Q. Who came up with the game's name?
A. Multiple people contributed to naming through internal brainstorming.
Q. How do you decide which features to prioritize?
A. Player feedback, data, and internal roadmap all factor into prioritization.
Q. Do you get to play the game outside of work?
A. Some team members do, though playing your own game recreationally has a different feel.
Q. What's the best feedback the team ever received?
A. Genuine emotional reactions to story moments are the most meaningful feedback.
Q. Are there scrapped features you wish had made it in?
A. Yes, various features didn't make it due to time. Some may return in future updates.
Q. How do you decide on character designs?
A. Concept artists and directors collaborate closely, with iteration based on team feedback.
Q. What's next on your personal wishlist for the game?
A. More depth in exploration and world storytelling is what we'd love to add.
Q. Any behind-the-scenes stories about launch day?
A. Launch day had significant tension due to Steam review timing. Relief was universal when we finally went live.
■ Other
Q. Why are you running the broadcast for 8 hours?
A. Players around the world play, so with US, Europe, China, and Korea time zones all different, we wanted to keep it open long enough for many people to stop by once. Previous 2-hour lives couldn't be caught by many, and editing takes long to re-upload. We initially planned 2 hours, but HOOON said it was too short, and before we knew it, it became a 7-hour broadcast. You don't need to watch start-to-finish — feel free to drop by.
Q. Is there a hierarchy between you two? Who's senior?
A. We're both regular employees. There's no hierarchy.
Q. What are your favorite characters in the game?
A. This varies between team members — you'll hear different answers throughout the broadcast.
Q. What's a random fun fact about the game?
A. Various fun facts came up throughout the broadcast — please check the replay.
Q. Do you ever get tired of the game?
A. We spend a lot of time with it professionally, but the community keeps it engaging.
Q. What's your favorite non-DragonSword game?
A. Various team members enjoy different games — indies, RPGs, action games all get mentioned.
Q. How do you handle negative feedback?
A. We try to receive it constructively and address underlying concerns where possible.
Q. What surprised you about the launch? ✅
A. The global response, particularly from regions we hadn't heavily marketed in, was surprising and delightful.
Q. Do you read Steam reviews?
A. Yes, we read them regularly to understand player perspectives.
Q. What's the community's most common request?
A. Multiplayer improvements and character-related requests come up most often.
Q. Any advice for new players?
A. Take time to enjoy the world and try different characters — the tag system rewards experimentation.
Q. What's the team's favorite raid boss?
A. Views vary but many love Ursula despite the length feedback.
Q. Do you plan to attend any gaming conventions?
A. Convention attendance is being discussed.
Q. How do you keep team morale up during crunch?
A. Small celebrations, snacks, and clear priorities help.
Q. What's the most requested feature you can't do?
A. Deep multiplayer integration is requested but conflicts with our single-player focus.
Q. Do you consider yourselves indie or mid-sized?
A. We consider ourselves an independent studio within Hound13.
Q. How do you approach post-launch support?
A. Weekly patches, community feedback, and roadmap-driven updates are our approach.
Q. Is there a discord server for developer AMA?
A. Our Discord has community areas. Formal developer AMAs happen through broadcasts.
Q. What was the inspiration for the game?
A. Various sources including team members' love of action RPGs and anime aesthetics.
Q. Do you take breaks during 8-hour broadcasts?
A. Yes, we take breaks. Please don't feel obligated to watch continuously.
Q. What's the strangest question you've received?
A. Various creative and unexpected questions came up — check the replay for the range.
Q. Do you have a favorite chat moment from this stream?
A. Multiple standout moments happened throughout — please check the replay.
Q. Will there be more streams like this?
A. Yes, we plan to broadcast every 1-2 months.
Q. Any final message to the community?
A. Thank you for the incredible support and honest feedback. It keeps us going.
Q. Is HOOON's coffee intake a health concern?
A. Please don't worry — HOOON is managing hydration adequately.
Q. Does JYJ actually sleep?
A. Yes, sleep does happen, though schedules vary during patch weeks.
Q. Are the office cats real?
A. Various pets have been mentioned in broadcasts. Details vary.
Q. How do team members celebrate milestones?
A. Small internal celebrations, snacks, and occasional dinners.
Q. What snacks are you eating during this broadcast?
A. Various snacks throughout the 8 hours — please check the replay for details.
Q. Any embarrassing moments from previous streams?
A. Various small moments happen live — that's part of the fun.
Q. What time zone is best for future broadcasts?
A. We try to accommodate multiple time zones. Long-format streams like this attempt to serve all regions.
Q. Will there be broadcasts in English?
A. English-focused broadcasts aren't planned in the near term but subtitles are being improved.
Q. Do you use AI tools in development?
A. Various AI tools are used where appropriate, but core creative work is done by the team.
Q. Can the community influence design decisions?
A. Yes, community feedback significantly influences prioritization and design decisions.
Q. How do you feel about the milestones reached?
A. Deeply grateful. Every wishlist and purchase represents real trust from a real person.
Q. What's the best part of your jobs?
A. Seeing players enjoy what we made and share their experiences.
Q. Any hints for what's coming after this broadcast?
A. Weekly patches will continue, and roadmap details discussed today will materialize over coming months.
Q. Any special shoutouts to specific community members?
A. Various content creators and community members were mentioned throughout the broadcast.
We'll continue to communicate with you through broadcasts, community posts, and Discord.
Every question and comment you share means a great deal to us.
Thank you.
— The DragonSword : Awakening Team