Netmarble (CEO Byung Gyu Kim ) held an online showcase on July 29 for its upcoming vampire-themed MMORPG Vampir, revealing the official release date as August 26. During the event, the company presented a detailed breakdown of Vampir’s development direction, core gameplay systems, and service philosophy, positioning the title as a bold reimagining of the MMORPG genre.

Speaking at the showcase, Vampir’s Executive Producer Ki-hyun Han of Netmarble Neo emphasized that the game aims to directly confront and address the genre’s long-standing challenges. He explained that the team intentionally broke away from traditional design frameworks—ranging from visual style to progression systems and competitive mechanics—in order to build something entirely new. To break free from the typical mold of MMORPGs, Vampir focuses on innovation across three major fronts: visual expression, progression and competition, and operational strategy.

Visually, the game departs from the safe, neutral tone common to the genre and embraces a darker, more provocative aesthetic to create an immersive vampire-themed world. The design is driven by intense, visceral themes—blood, fear, and allure—which are used not subtly but as core elements of the world-building, signaling a bold step away from the sanitized visuals seen in many MMORPGs.

In terms of progression, Vampir introduces a unique “Diamond Farming” system. Players can earn a set amount of diamonds each month simply by playing in the field, without needing to spend money. These diamonds can then be used to buy a variety of packages in the in-game store, allowing even non-paying or light-spending users to grow and progress meaningfully over time.

On the operations side, Netmarble outlined a forward-looking strategy designed to enhance fairness and transparency:

• An AI-based enforcement system will be deployed to aggressively combat bots, hacks, and other illicit behavior.

• In-game Game Masters will play a larger role in facilitating direct communication with players and ensuring open lines of dialogue.

• A publicly viewable dashboard will track progress on key improvement initiatives, making the development process more transparent.

• The game’s monetization will reward consistent effort, with a tiered system where even lower-grade item acquisitions contribute to cumulative rewards.

• Netmarble also pledged to avoid selling ultra-efficient packages that could unbalance gameplay or pressure spending.

Focus on Long-Term Player Value

Seung-hwan Jung, Head of Business at Netmarble, concluded by stressing that the company is prioritizing long-term player satisfaction over immediate profits. He stated that Vampir is being built around the core values of MMORPGs—community, coexistence, and enduring engagement—and that Netmarble is committed to maintaining these values throughout the game’s lifecycle.