Super Creative revealed a special broadcast, "Nightmare Carnival," today (10th) ahead of the 1st anniversary of its collectible roguelike deckbuilding RPG 'Chaos Zero Nightmare'. Newly appointed Producer Choi Seung-hyun and Development Director Kim Ki-beom appeared on the broadcast to announce Chaos Zero Nightmare's 1st anniversary update, quality-of-life improvements, and future roadmap.
Season 5 'A Promise Upon the Snow' Delves into the Relationship Between Gods and Chaos
First, the setting and storyline of Season 5, 'A Promise Upon the Snow', were introduced. This season takes place aboard the ark 'Frontnova', which crashed onto the polar planet 'Nivalis'. The Diallos realm formed as multiple Chaos bloomed on top of it, 'Celestial Bulwark', appears as the new seasonal Chaos.
Starting with Season 5, stories centered around the gods unfold in earnest. It will address lore secrets such as the relationship between the gods and Chaos that have appeared in the universe, as well as the underlying motives of the gods.
In Celestial Bulwark, players will face the seasonal boss 'Agent of Judgment, Waltraute'. Boss-exclusive cut-ins and a theme song for Waltraute will also be added. In addition, entering Unidentified Areas with Holy Crusade Agents will unlock a special story.
Three New Agents Utilizing 'Light and Dark' and 'Binding', Including Seasonal 'Rossweisse'
Season 5 introduces three new Agents: 1st anniversary seasonal Agent 'Rossweisse', 'Blazebell', and 'Dahlia'. Rossweisse, arriving first, is a Justice-attribute Striker who will be released on October 21 along with the launch of Season 5, alongside her Partner 'Sig'.
Rossweisse is an Apostle of Kyrken, the Goddess of Cycles. Her design concept reflects her status as one chosen by the Goddess of Cycles, featuring the five directional colors symbolizing Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, black-and-white contrast representing the cycle of light and darkness, and a weapon inspired by the disaster-warding Four Tigers Sword (Sain-geom). However, despite being directly chosen by a deity, she harbors intense hatred toward the gods—a backstory players can explore through fully voiced Trauma Code content.
The core of her combat revolves around the new keyword 'Light and Dark'. Cards split into 'Light' and 'Dark' in hand trigger effects in response to card usage by herself and allies; when only 'Light' and 'Dark' remain in hand, they combine into a single powerful card. The playstyle involves executing consecutive attacks while clearing cards from the hand, concluding with a finisher using the combined card.
Next, 'Blazebell', the first Agent from the Sileima faction, was introduced. A Justice-attribute Controller who uses fire abilities, Blazebell supports Action Points, card draws, and damage amplification through the 'Binding' and 'Purity' keywords.
The third new Agent, 'Dahlia', also utilizes Binding. Her playstyle involves binding cards with different effects together into a single powerful card to deliver a heavy blow. Blazebell and Dahlia will both share 'Binding' (card combining) as a shared keyword.
Great Rift Split into Subjugation & Merit Battles, Battle Speed Toggle and Memory Fragment Reconfiguration Added
In line with the 1st anniversary, game systems and quality-of-life features are also receiving overhaul. First, Great Rift is being split into a clear-focused 'Subjugation Battle' and a ranking competition-focused 'Merit Battle'. Clearing Subjugation Battle yields existing Great Rift rewards and unlocks Merit Battle. Players learn boss mechanics and Agent team comps in Subjugation Battle before competing against other players in Merit Battle.
A feature previewing major boss actions will also be introduced. Right before a Great Rift boss executes a buffing action or a massive attack, an 'Action Pattern Preview Pop-up' will display, allowing players to prepare for the upcoming move.
Partners receive new 'Exploration Passives' that assist with roguelike gameplay and deckbuilding in Chaos and Sorties. 4-star Partners possess 2 Exploration Passives, while 5-star Partners possess 3, offering effects such as increased Credit gains or boosted Divine Inspiration chance.
Memory Fragments will also become easier to customize with desired stats. During crafting, players can select the main stat and up to 2 sub-stats, while a 'Reconfiguration' feature allowing players to re-roll enhancement values is being added. The exclusive currency needed for Reconfiguration will be supplied through events and game content.
A highly requested Battle Speed toggle function is also being added. Simulation 'Challenge' mode will change to allow 3 free plays weekly, with additional attempts available by spending Ether after all free plays are consumed.
Divine Inspiration in Chaos Unidentified Areas will change so that, like in Sorties, it can be applied to cards that have already received Inspiration. New weekly missions offering Cores as primary rewards will be established. In addition, sticker UI/UX will be improved, and honor elements such as titles, portraits, and portrait borders will be added.
Special Casual Wear Altering Battle Animations, Card Skins Officially Introduced
Cosmetic customization options are also expanding. The development team announced the introduction of 'Special-tier Casual Wear' based on player feedback regarding existing Casual Wear. The first recipient will be the 1st anniversary seasonal Agent Rossweisse.
Special-tier Casual Wear replaces almost all visual assets except for Breakdown illustrations. Portraits, combat animations, SD chibis, 3D modeling, as well as Ego Skill cut-ins and Mythic Card cut-ins are replaced, while dedicated voice lines increase from 2 to 46.
Card Skins, which received positive responses during this year's April Fools' event, are also officially implemented. The newly introduced 'Invitation from the Night Sky' card pack consists of Card Skins for 16 Agents, including Rossweisse.
Card Skins are provided per Agent rather than per specific card, allowing players to overlay them onto desired card illustrations. The developers shared that they plan to evaluate future card skins featuring various themes, as well as collaboration skins with renowned illustrators and IPs.
Agent/Partner Selector, 70 Regular Rescues, and 1st Anniversary Charity Event
As part of the 1st anniversary event, idle tycoon mode 'Nightmare Dream Park' will run starting October 21. Players can grow their theme park by constructing attractions and assigning managers, enjoying Agents' SD animations and emotes along the way.
Dream Park rewards players with Crystals, growth materials, limited Agent emotes, and Divine Inspiration Selection Cores. A follow-up event, 'Rules of Good Order', will also take place. Furthermore, a tied-in charity initiative will donate a portion of Dream Park's virtual in-game earnings to undernourished children in real life under players' names.
To celebrate the 1st anniversary, an Agent/Partner Selector ticket will be distributed to all players Level 10 and above. Selectable characters include Faye and Ruixiang. Additionally, 1,600 Crystals and 70 Regular Rescues (summons) will be provided.
The check-in event grants 10 Signal Amplification Anchors and 20 Rescue Anchors. Adding the total of 30 Signal Amplification Anchors being distributed across 3 weeks to commemorate the new Producer's appointment, players can receive a total of 40 Signal Amplification Anchors. During the event period, 40 Ether will also be gifted daily in the Cafe.
First-time purchase Crystal bonuses will be reset, and an additional Agent/Partner Selector will be obtainable via a cumulative purchase event. Clearing the Renoa Unigram Story awards a 1st anniversary limited Renoa sticker, and a background and sticker commemorating Rossweisse's release will be sent via in-game mail.
As a livestream viewing reward, a coupon code for 1,000 Crystals was revealed. The showcase social media sharing event will award 1st anniversary merch kits via raffle, and a 1st anniversary retrospective event will run on official social channels.
First 2-Player Co-op Content 'Core Break' Coming in December, Corruption Update Further Delayed
For future development plans, the game's first multiplayer content, 'Joint Operation: Core Break', was introduced. Slated for release in December, Core Break features 2 players teaming up to push through monsters and defeat bosses, supporting both friend invites and random matchmaking.
Instead of separate Save Data, gameplay uses pre-built preset Agents. It progresses through a more compressed node structure than normal Chaos, with mechanics where gods modify certain game rules during play.
Both players select joint tactical effects together. If players disagree on their desired effect, a dice roll determines the choice. The developers explained that they plan to run multiplayer as a distinct content category—similar to Sorties or Seasonal Chaos—and continuously update it.
Meanwhile, the 'Corruption' system update has been delayed further. The development team determined that the current build did not meet their target standard, stating that it will be released once its level of polish is raised.
From Mitsukiyo's 1st Anniversary Theme Song to AGF and Collab Cafes
Lastly, plans for the 1st anniversary theme song, offline events, and merchandise were revealed. The 1st anniversary main theme song was composed by Mitsukiyo, CEO of Studio ALO, with vocals by CielA. The full version will be released on October 20, the day before the update.
Chaos Zero Nightmare will also participate in AGF 2026, held at KINTEX in Ilsan from December 4 to 6. On-site events will include cosplayer Cheki photo opportunities, live performances by Dobibi and CielA, DJ sets, and more.
From October 16 to November 15, maidreamin collaboration cafes will operate in Japan and in Hongdae, South Korea. Special menu items and visits from cosplay models are scheduled, with Moe Iori and others participating in Japan. In China, a Prismlens collaboration cafe will be held.
1st anniversary commemorative merch will be sold in South Korea, Japan, and globally. Additionally, in collaboration with global figure brands such as Good Smile Company, Hobby Sakura, and AmiAmi, figures of popular characters including Orlea, Diana, Heidemarie, Yuki, and Mei Lin will be showcased.
Chaos Zero Nightmare Season 5 'A Promise Upon the Snow' and the 1st anniversary event will begin on October 21. On October 20, the day before the update, additional details will be disclosed during the 'Galactic Net News' livestream.
