Unveiling the Vision for Lies of P

Lies of P, a AAA single-player Souls-like game, represents a bold foray into uncharted territory for both its publisher, Neowiz, and developer, Round8 Studio. In a conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, executives from the studio and its parent company revealed that they drew inspiration from the timeless story of Pinocchio to create something unique. According to game director Jiwon Choi, the decision to use a public domain story was driven by the desire to put a fresh spin on a familiar tale, while also leveraging the existing narrative foundation to dive deeper into the game's world and characters. The team chose the Belle Époque era, spanning from 1880 to 1914 in Europe, for its fascinating blend of scientific and technological advancements, as well as its relatively rare appearance in game settings. Round8 Studio head Jason Park noted that the development process involved extensive research on the target market, genre, and overall strategies, including the possibility of incorporating open-world or multiplayer features. However, the team ultimately decided to focus on delivering a solid, action-focused experience with Lies of P, which marks the studio's debut single-player title. Choi acknowledged the growing popularity of Souls-like games but emphasized the challenges of creating one that meets expectations. Despite the genre's popularity, the development team remained focused on their own work, driven by a desire to honor the genre and establish themselves as a capable studio. Neowiz publishing director Wonmo Kim viewed Lies of P as an opportunity for the company to diversify its title offerings and establish itself as a publisher of great single-player console games. The game's demo played a significant role in teaching the publisher and development team about consumer interest, with Kim highlighting the importance of hands-on demos in earning fans' trust before a game's launch. As for what's next, Choi expressed his hope for the game's success, hinting at the possibility of exploring more stories within the Lies of P universe.