On November 11, Boltray Games launched a collaboration with the Naver Webtoon 'Return of the Blossoming Blade' in its casual RPG Sword x Staff. Running until December 1, the collaboration introduces five key characters from the Mount Hua Sect as companions.
Along with the collaboration, a third fan art contest valued at 10 million won is also taking place. The event invites submissions themed around Sword x Staff and Return of the Blossoming Blade, awarding winners exclusive collaboration gold bars, cash prizes, and in-game rewards.
The collaboration partners joining the game are Chung Myung, Baek Cheon, Yu I-seol, Yun Jong, and Jo Gol. Among them, Yun Jong can be obtained through an in-game event. For cosmetic content, martial arts robes and hairstyle skins for Chung Myung, Baek Cheon, and Yu I-seol are available. Items such as the 'Plum Blossom Sword', 'Dark Fragrance White Plum Blossom', 'Six-Harmonies Skill Mantra', 'Plum Blossom Crest Shield', and 'Plum Blossom Scented Jade Bottle', along with Mount Hua Sect sword technique skills, have also been introduced.
In the housing space, players can apply skins themed after plum blossom trees and Mount Hua peaks. A feature where the five Mount Hua Sect companions randomly visit has also been included. Additionally, players can obtain six collaboration-exclusive emotes and 10 webtoon emotes, while progressing through event stages featuring Mount Hua Sect story content, puzzles, and match-3 puzzles. Event rewards also include an exclusive plum blossom head accessory themed around the Mount Hua Sect crest.
The grand prize winner of the fan art contest (1 player) will receive a 2-don (approx. 7.5g) collaboration-exclusive gold bar. The first-place winner (1 player) will be awarded volumes 1 to 8 of the Return of the Blossoming Blade print comic, a random figure set, and 1.5 million won in prize money. Two second-place winners will each receive a Return of the Blossoming Blade keychain set and 700,000 won, while 10 third-place winners will each receive a Return of the Blossoming Blade acrylic standee set and 500,000 won. Cash prizes are inclusive of taxes and fees.
Twenty fourth-place winners will receive Chung Myung and Yu I-seol costumes alongside 2,000 Luna, while 30 fifth-place winners will receive monthly pass benefits and 1,000 Luna. Special rewards and participation prizes will offer 200 Luna.
Sword x Staff officially launched in South Korea on November 4. According to Boltray Games, following its release, the game reached #1 on the Apple App Store popularity chart and #20 on the Google Play top-grossing chart. The company introduced its global player base as reaching 10 million, highlighting key features such as character customization, free class changing, a streamlined growth system, and 24-hour idle progression.
A representative from Boltray Games stated, "This collaboration with the webtoon Return of the Blossoming Blade is a special partnership that reinterprets the series' charming characters and martial arts through Sword x Staff's unique style." They added, "We aim to provide webtoon fans with the joy of experiencing familiar characters and lore directly within the game, while offering existing players new adventures and diverse content. We ask for your interest and active participation."
Details regarding the collaboration content and events can be found on the official Sword x Staff website and Naver Game Lounge.
