Chaos Zero Nightmare – Interview with Kim Hyung-suk, PD at Super Creative 2025-10-01

Our Courage and Sincerity in the Face of Chaos

Two million.

This is the number of global pre-registrations for Chaos Zero Nightmare, a new RPG currently being developed by Super Creative and published by Smilegate. With its expansive world, unique combat system, and stylish character design and visuals, the game has already captured the attention of both industry insiders and players alike.

Smilegate Newsroom sat down with PD Kim Hyung-suk to talk about the intense development journey of Chaos Zero Nightmare, its standout features, and the team’s plans for the future.

Q. Hello, PD Kim. Could you introduce yourself?

Hello, I’m Kim Hyung-suk from Super Creative, and I’m the executive PD overseeing the Chaos Zero Nightmare project, which recently held its showcase. From the moment the project was conceived until now, Smilegate employees have shown tremendous interest and affection. They actively participated in tests and shared valuable feedback and ideas. Hearing that people were following the development process closely and cheering us on has been a great source of motivation.

Q. Please tell us about Chaos Zero Nightmare

Chaos Zero Nightmare is an RPG that tells the story and battles of heroes facing a massive threat known as “Chaos.” We put a great deal of thought and effort into creating a fresh kind of fun and emotion that sets it apart from other games. Inspired by the expressive emotional storytelling seen in popular modern anime, we wanted players to experience that same intensity within the game. Combat, exploration, and relationships with characters are all organically intertwined so that players don’t just follow a story but experience it alongside the characters—feeling their emotional changes firsthand.

Q. To express such deep emotional changes in characters, it must have required a very intricate system design.

We view the emotional journey of each character—their struggles, acceptance, and healing—as a core part of the game. We wanted to depict psychological and emotional complexity that is rarely explored in games. This required an extraordinary amount of production resources—two to three times more than a typical 2D game. Our goal was to push the limits of what can be achieved in 2D, and we approached every element with extreme care and precision.

Q. The visuals and storytelling of the characters stand out. What do you consider most important when creating them?

Character design is far more complex and demanding than it seems. Countless elements are intricately woven together to create a single believable character. Every process begins with sincerity—the genuine love of the creators for their characters. For a character to feel authentic, that emotional investment from the writer or artist must come first. Technical inspiration and references matter, but ultimately, great characters are born from the internal drive to “do them justice.” Even small visual details and props play an essential role in completing the narrative, so we pay close attention to every part of the design.

Q. We heard that a passionate fan culture among the developers has formed around the characters.

That’s right. Many forms of fan-made content—such as character stickers and four-panel comics—have emerged voluntarily from the team as personal creative expressions. It’s genuine affection, born purely from love of the work. We see this as a reflection of the team’s passion and dedication. Internally, we already feel that this enthusiasm is a success in itself. Since the game has been made with so much love, we hope players will be able to feel that same warmth.

Q. Do you have a favorite character?

That’s a tough question! (laughs) I love all of them, but lately, I’ve found myself drawn to “Beryl.” She looks cute and loves chocolate bars like a child, but in battle, she’s fierce and powerful—that contrast is what makes her so charming.

Q. The world of Chaos Zero Nightmare seems incredibly vast. What core message do you want to convey through it?

There are three core themes we wanted to deliver through both the story and gameplay. The first is “forgetting.” This theme ties naturally into the roguelike structure of starting over again and again, and we’ve woven motifs of memory and loss throughout the narrative. The second is “journey.” The characters in Chaos Zero Nightmare are wanderers who have lost their homes, and their path to reclaiming them drives the story forward. The third is “emotion.” We wanted to explore emotional transformation, psychological struggles, and even mental instability—depths rarely seen in subculture games. Both physical hardships and emotional turbulence shape each character’s actions and choices, creating divergent paths based on player decisions. If players come away from this journey believing that “even in chaos, courageous choices can change the world,” then we’ve achieved our goal.

Q. Please tell us about the unique combat system of Chaos Zero Nightmare.

We designed the game to be more accessible for mobile players, aiming for a structure that’s “easy to start but deep to master.” Several design elements help lower the initial barrier so even casual players can naturally enjoy it. For example, if players had to read long text descriptions for every card before moving to the next step, it would slow down the game’s rhythm. That could disrupt immersion. So, in the early stages, we made skill acquisition automatic, allowing players to engage quickly with the action. As they progress, however, the game expands to offer deeper strategic decisions and more layers of challenge. The essence of our battle system lies in two pillars: the joy of control and the depth of strategy. We wanted players to feel the thrill of crafting their own victories rather than simply collecting powerful characters. That “moment of victory made by your own hands” is what keeps players coming back.

Q. What would you say is the most important aspect that makes Chaos Zero Nightmare distinct and appealing compared to other games?

If I had to sum it up in one word, it would be “originality.” Being new inherently means being unfamiliar, and stepping outside established formulas always involves risk. It can make reaching a broad audience more difficult. Yet, rather than choosing a “better version of something,” we aimed to create “something only we can do.” The affection and faith shown by both our internal team and external testers have been a huge driving force in pursuing this path. Our goal is to deliver a truly unique experience that would be difficult to find anywhere else in the mobile gaming market.

Q. Choosing an unconventional path comes with risks. Why did you decide to take that route instead of a safer one?

There’s no denying that originality can limit reach—it’s harder to appeal to the masses. But true to our name, “Super Creative,” we wanted to create a product with unique value that others couldn’t easily replicate. We believe that if we succeed in being genuinely original, it will secure a long-term and distinctive place in the industry. It’s not the easy path, but we believe that if we see it through, it can become a new road for others to follow.

Q. Could you tell us about the technical aspects of Chaos Zero Nightmare, such as the 2.5D active camera and lighting effects?

From a technical standpoint, what I’m most proud of is how we’ve achieved near-instantaneous loading and exceptionally high-quality 2D visuals. During combat, SD characters are rendered with simplified effects to maintain tempo, while key story moments feature full-body animations to create striking emotional impact. We worked tirelessly to maximize the strengths of 2D visuals. We also fine-tuned lighting effects so characters and backgrounds blend naturally. Together, these details combine to deliver both “the joy of watching” and “the joy of playing.”

Q. After the showcase held in July, what feedback or reactions stood out the most to you?

We received a wide range of feedback. Many players praised the dark yet original tone of the game and expressed strong anticipation, saying they “couldn’t wait to experience it firsthand.” Of course, there were also specific critiques, such as suggestions regarding the SD characters. Within the industry and from colleagues, the overall response was “Great job, well done,” which was encouraging. Through this feedback, we gained confidence in our direction while also identifying areas for improvement.

Q. Have you made or planned any adjustments based on feedback after the showcase?

Yes. One of the most common comments was about improving the visuals of the SD characters. After the first private beta test, we made significant improvements, which were very well received. We plan to continue reviewing all feedback and refining the game based on priority. Since the showcase, we’ve been in a phase where ensuring post-launch stability is crucial, so we’re constantly identifying and addressing issues. It’s physically demanding, but we’re going through it with smiles because we truly love Chaos Zero Nightmare.

Q. As a director, what do you consider the most important value when developing a new IP?

I think it comes down to two values: creative and developmental. Creatively, it’s about making “a game that doesn’t yet exist in the world.” From a development standpoint, it’s about building a system where developers and players participate and communicate to shape the game together. When a developer loves their game as its first player, that sincerity translates directly into quality. That’s why we maintain a culture where every piece of feedback from team members is actively reviewed and reflected upon.

Q. We’ve heard that internal feedback is very active within your team.

We collect and review ideas from team members in different areas such as sound, combat, story, and quests through an internal channel called “Fun QA.” Every week, we receive over a hundred pieces of feedback across multiple platforms, which shows just how much love our team has for Chaos Zero Nightmare. It also reinforces our belief that we’re on track to create something truly remarkable. Every opinion is carefully reviewed, and decisions about whether to implement them are communicated transparently. This culture of open feedback fosters pride among all developers in knowing that we’re building this game together.

Q. Finally, what are your goals and future plans for Chaos Zero Nightmare?

Our immediate goal is a successful launch. Beyond that, we want to create a game that leaves a lasting impression—a world where players genuinely want to stay. The essence of a live service lies in making players return not out of obligation but out of desire. We’re constantly thinking about how to create that kind of experience. Even after launch, we’ll continue active communication with players through ongoing updates and diverse events, striving to make Chaos Zero Nightmare a space they’ll always want to come back to.

Keywords Defining Chaos Zero Nightmare

√ A dark fantasy world that speaks of hope amidst ruin

√ Strategic combat using “cards” and unique systems like “Collapse Mode”

√ Seasonal content with exclusive rewards and evolving gameplay each season

Humanity’s Hope Against Chaos

The game depicts a dark fantasy world where humanity struggles to survive aboard an interstellar ark after the end of the world. Players join this journey of hope against an enigmatic substance called “Chaos,” taking on the role of the “First,” the captain of the massive ark known as the “Nightmare.”

Strategic Card-Based Combat

The turn-based combat system, featuring teams of three fighters and three partners, is one of Chaos Zero Nightmare’s core features. Players can enjoy strategic gameplay by combining and linking cards within limited cost per turn.

Tailored Playstyles

Players can enjoy different experiences depending on their preferences—whether it’s clearing stages in the “Story Mode” or engaging in “Chaos Missions,” where randomly appearing growth elements add new layers of strategy during combat.

Immersive Collapse System

When characters reach their stress threshold, they enter a “Collapse State” rooted in their individual traumas. Overcoming this state unlocks “Awakening Skills,” giving players a chance to turn the tide of battle.

Diverse Seasonal Content

Seasonal content introduces unique storylines, rewards, and missions. The representative season, “Galactic Catastrophe,” offers an expansive, narrative-driven exploration experience.

The Aesthetics of Darkness

The visuals—brought to life through advanced 2.5D active camera work, water reflections, and lighting effects—highlight the game’s technical excellence. The emotional illustrations and expressive direction further embody the unique aesthetic of Chaos Zero Nightmare.

Visit the official Chaos Zero Nightmare page.