Nexon held its 'Fantasy Party' offline event at KINTEX in Ilsan on the 27th to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of its online game, 'Mabinogi'.

The 'Fantasy Party' is Mabinogi's largest offline festival, designed to foster direct communication between the development team and players. Marking its 22nd anniversary this year, the event featured a showcase revealing the game's future update direction, along with various live performances and interactive activities.

During the event, Director Choi Dong-min presented the summer update details, stating, "The past year has been a time for much reflection. I've realized our shortcomings, and thanks to your voices, I believe we have been able to look at a better Mabinogi once again. We have prepared an update containing the necessary changes to make Mabinogi even more fun and enjoyable this summer."

Removal of 'Near' and Creation of a Repeat Play Environment - Improving the Dungeon Experience

Under the title 'RE:ACTION,' the team plans to redesign the game's growth structure and overall content based on player feedback, while introducing new action-oriented fun through higher-tier 'Arcana' skills.

A key focus of this update is the complete removal of the 'Near' system and a return to a pass-based repeat play structure. The reward system for each dungeon will also be re-established to create an environment for 'meaningful repeat play.'

Once the update is applied, dungeons such as Hard Mode Uladh Advanced Dungeons and Tech Duinn will be repositioned as dungeons that can be played more casually and accessed repeatedly without limit. With the removal of 'Near,' reward opportunities will no longer be restricted by account, allowing players to use the pass-based system as they did in the past.

Pass acquisition will also be improved. A route to purchase passes from NPCs will be added, and the aforementioned repeat-play dungeons will also be available in a single-entry pass format.

Information on a new top-tier dungeon was also revealed. 'Tala Gah' can be challenged by up to four players and will offer Normal and Hard difficulties. In Hard difficulty, players can obtain items with more powerful stats in addition to standard rewards.

The boss of the Tala Gah dungeon is 'Poinche'; only the back of the character was revealed at the event. According to Director Choi Dong-min, the boss will challenge players with difficult mechanics that differ from the main storyline.

As a dungeon reward, 'Dusk Bound' equipment capable of unleashing powerful strength was unveiled. It features the ability to selectively apply desired set effects and comes in three types: cloth, light armor, and heavy armor.

The Tala Gah dungeon is scheduled to be released this September.

For Character Growth - Arcana Ascension System

Nexon unveiled a new growth system called 'Arcana Ascension,' which moves away from the horizontal expansion of 'Arcana' to restore the sense of character-driven growth. 'Arcana Ascension' is unlocked after reaching Link 10 and consists of three main elements.

The first element is 26 types of 'Ogham Words' inspired by ancient Gaelic script. These can be naturally acquired by playing dungeons at the level of Crom Bas or higher for Arcana Ascension, and they can be used to further strengthen Arcana emblems. Combining three Ogham Words triggers powerful combination effects, allowing for skill enhancement or changes in movement patterns. Additionally, Ogham Words themselves can have up to three types of bound options based on their grade.

Director Choi Dong-min stated that two Ogham Word combination effects for each 'Arcana' will be revealed in the July update, with additional effects planned for the August update.

The second element of growth is the Arcana Ascension level. Ascension EXP is earned by clearing major dungeons, raising the level and providing additional Arcana-related stats and bonus effects with each increase. Upon reaching certain stages, players can also unlock up to five 'Ogham Word' slots, up from three.

The final growth element, 'Arcana Ascension Skill,' is a powerful skill acquired upon reaching the maximum Ascension level. While difficult to use frequently, it deals massive damage and grants an invincibility effect that protects the player from enemy attacks during casting. It also guarantees a critical hit, making it useful for specific mechanics or damage bursts. The Arcana Ascension skill is scheduled to be updated for all Arcana in August.

Hamsters running for me? - New Pets and Additional Elements

Various events for existing, new, and returning players will also be held during this summer update. First, various beauty coupons will be provided through the 2026 Get It Beauty event, with a significant expansion of eye design coupons expected this year. These beauty coupons are tradable once and will not affect existing coupons.

A new supporter-type pet, 'Hamzzi,' was also revealed. It features powerful support functions such as character recovery, gathering monsters, and reviving party members' pets. When the active skill 'Running Wheel' is used, it creates a humorous scene where a human runs on the hamster wheel instead of the hamster.

A 'Fever Season' event will also take place. Three events will run simultaneously, allowing players to acquire Fergusius weapons, Refined armor, and accessories. Completing all events over the 6-week Fever Season will allow players to complete the full set. Event equipment can also be inherited by more powerful gear later, with separate inheritance discount coupons provided for this purpose.

Fever Season On-Time event rewards include a 'Rainbow Fruit' (Level 200), 'Enchantment Protection Potion,' and a 'Hair Fixed Dye Ampoule Selection Box.'

In August, the Black Combo Card event will return, and a 1% fixed enhancement item will be added for players who were just 1% short of their goal.

At the end of the showcase, pre-registration rewards and coupons were revealed. The RE:ACTION pre-registration gift box includes an Extra Totem Box, Mainstream Skip Ticket, Edge Grade Conversion Ticket, and 15k Pon.

These can be obtained by entering '올여름도마비노기와함께리액션' in the coupon registration window, and the rewards include cosmetic items like the 'Summer Watermelon Punch Chair' and 'Exciting Summer Heart Filter,' as well as a 2nd title.

Surprise Reveal! 'Mabinogi Eternity' Live Demo

Following the update announcement, General Director Min Kyung-hoon took the stage to surprise attendees with the news of the first user-facing 'Mabinogi Eternity' demo and alpha test. A 200-seat demo zone was operated at the KINTEX venue, accompanied by various demonstration events.

Mabinogi Eternity is a project to replace the engine of 'Mabinogi,' with the first news of its development shared in 2023. Since then, development progress has been consistently shared via the official 'Eternity' website, and this Fantasy Party marked the first public demo for users.

The demo zone was structured around three types of content—customization, Eirínn exploration, and a 'Suspicious Event'—allowing users to experience the charm of 'Mabinogi Eternity' firsthand.

In the customization stage, a total of 227 cosmetic items (30 sets) and various color-themed 'Fixed Dye Ampoules' were provided in the character's inventory. Through the 'Fantasy Party Cosmetic Selection Box,' players could choose desired outfits by part and experience the revamped dyeing system in 'Eternity.

The second part was 'Eirínn Exploration,' where players could freely explore five newly revamped regions of Eirínn with inter-regional travel supported via Moon Gates. The five regions are 'Tir Chonaill,' 'Dugald Aisle,' 'Dunbarton,' 'Abb Neagh,' and 'Gairech Hills.' General Director Min Kyung-hoon personally recommended 'Abb Neagh Lake' as the most beautiful spot in the demo version.

The final 'Suspicious Event' allows players to receive special gifts by finding and defeating 'Suspicious Chests' that appear on the outskirts of Eirínn and throughout the fields to collect 'Suspicious Fragments'.

The 'Mabinogi Eternity Alpha Test,' scheduled for this fall, aims to verify the 'early gameplay experience' being redesigned in 'Eternity.' The test will include both long-time existing users and new users experiencing Mabinogi for the first time.

General Director Min Kyung-hoon stated, "We are working hard to present various areas, including the UI, in a more advanced state than the current Fantasy Party version." Details regarding the alpha test will be announced separately via the official website.