Pinocchio's Prolific Playbook: Lies of P Sequel, Two New RPGs, and an AI Experiment
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Neowiz is hitting full stride with the *Lies of P* sequel now in vertical-slice development, while also pushing forward with two new RPGs: a Soulslike ('Project Windi') and a narrative RPG ('Project Rubicon'). Adding a curious twist, their development studio is actively integrating AI art tools into its production pipeline, hinting at big changes for future game creation.
Alright, gather 'round, mates, because Neowiz – the brilliant minds who somehow convinced us a grimdark Pinocchio Soulslike was a good idea (and then delivered!) – are busy. Like, *really* busy. We've just caught wind, courtesy of an earnings report spotted by Eurogamer's Fran Ruiz, that their gears are turning on a whole heap of projects, including the much-anticipated *Lies of P* sequel.
First off, the good news for all you P-heads: the *Lies of P* sequel has officially hit the 'full-scale dev phase,' specifically the 'vertical slice' step. Now, for the uninitiated, a 'vertical slice' isn't some fancy pizza order. It's basically a small, highly polished chunk of a game that developers use to show off the core vision and gameplay to execs, usually to convince them to greenlight the whole shebang. So, while it's not the full game in your hands, it means they've got a tangible, playable chunk that's looking good enough to impress the bean counters. Fair dinkum, that's progress!
Neowiz, bless 'em, clearly sees *Lies of P* as more than a one-off hit; they're gunning for an 'enduring franchise.' Can't blame 'em, can you? It was a cracking game. But what else is bubbling in their cauldron?
Well, they've got 'Project Windi' in the prototype stage – another Soulslike RPG, directed by Kay Lee, who you might know from *Vindictus*. Another one, eh? My curious mind is already wondering what unique flavour of pain and punishment *Windi* will bring. Will it be a bit more Eldritch? Perhaps a touch more whimsical (but still deadly)? Only time will tell.
Then there's 'Project Rubicon,' a narrative RPG that's also joined the *Lies of P* sequel in the vertical-slice phase. This one's under the guidance of Seungho Jin of *Buried Stars* fame. A narrative RPG is a welcome change of pace, offering a chance for Neowiz to flex some different creative muscles. Both *Windi* and *Rubicon* *could* be brand-spanking-new IPs, which, let's be honest, is always exciting. New worlds to dive into are far more thrilling than just rehashing old ones, wouldn't you reckon?
Now, for something that really got my digital wizard antennae twitching. Round8 Studio, the folks who actually made *Lies of P*, are on the hunt for an 'AI Creator.' This role isn't just about tinkering; it's about integrating AI tools like Stable Diffusion and Midjourney into their art workflows to 'reduce production time' and 'build an efficient AI art pipeline.' Neowiz has been quietly leaning into AI-assisted development for a bit now, but this feels like a significant push. It's fascinating, isn't it? On one hand, the efficiency gains could be massive, speeding up concept art and asset generation. On the other, the ongoing debates around AI art, originality, and the impact on human artists are still raging. It's a brave new world, and Neowiz seems keen to see what happens if they dive in headfirst. What does this mean for the look and feel of their future games? That's the million-dollar question!
It's a lot to chew on, but it shows Neowiz isn't resting on its laurels. As Eurogamer's review of *Lies of P* pointed out, while the game had 'strong enough foundations,' it was 'highly unlikely that they'll be able to beat the originals at their own game' (referring to FromSoftware, of course). So, it's brilliant to see them diversify and push boundaries, both creatively and technologically. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to ponder what kind of AI-generated nightmare fuel a Pinocchio-themed Soulslike sequel might conjure up. Cheerio!
*(Source: Fran Ruiz, Eurogamer)*
Tags: Neowiz, Lies of P, Soulslike, Game Development, AI in Gaming
Original article: Eurogamer