On the 21st, the second Ask Me Anything (AMA) for Vindictus: Defying Fate was held. This session, coming five months after the previous one in November, provided an opportunity to confirm the game's release model and future development direction. Here is a summary of the key points from the AMA.

Could you explain the game's release model.

" It took a long time to decide on the release model. After careful consideration, we wanted as many people as possible to enjoy the game without burden, so we decided to go with a Free-to-Play (F2P) model based on customization-focused monetization.

With the shift to F2P, is there expected to be a change in how the story unfolds.

" Since it is being released as F2P, the story will be provided sequentially through regular updates rather than all at once. While we are referencing Mabinogi Heroes Season 1, it will not be identical. Vindictus: Defying Fate will have its own unique narrative, and finding the differences compared to the original will be part of the fun. We hope players will discover those specific moments for themselves while playing the game.

Is it a Soulslike?

" I want to be clear about this: Vindictus: Defying Fate is not a Soulslike. As mentioned in the previous AMA, it is a 'Vindic-Like.' The core of Vindictus combat lies in intense exchanges where you read the enemy's timing and land combos. Unlike the Soulslike genre, you do not lose massive resources if you fall during battle, allowing you to recover and retry at any time, which encourages aggressive play. We plan to continue refining the combat exchanges and combo actions to ensure the unique feel of Vindictus comes through clearly.

Are there plans to add new characters beyond those from the original game.

" Absolutely. New characters with their own unique stories, weapons, and combat styles will be added. We hope to show some of them in the next test. We are planning to add entirely new characters exclusive to Vindictus: Defying Fate, in addition to those from Mabinogi Heroes, so please look forward to them.

Will there be magic-using characters like Evie?

" Evie is currently in development. We are working hard to properly realize her identity as an elemental mage. We knew many were curious, but because her components differ from other characters, it took some time to confirm her appearance. Her weapon will be the same staff as in the original.

Regarding combat, are there air combos.

" While there is a jump and a jump attack, these are intended more for increasing freedom of movement rather than for air combos.

Could you explain more about co-op play? Is there a division of roles?

" Each character in Vindictus: Defying Fate has a powerful and distinct identity in combat. However, there are no separate roles like healers or tanks. Gameplay is primarily centered on solo play, but as seen briefly in the alpha test, we do support 4-player co-op. Given the combat quality and client performance, it is unlikely the co-op player count will exceed four. Co-op play is primarily based on matchmaking and invite codes.

Is quest progress shared during co-op play.

" The main story is designed exclusively as a solo experience, and co-op play is a separate content concept that expands on the story. Therefore, you won't find yourself in a situation where you have to repeat parts just to sync story progress with friends. The main story is structured for solo play to ensure the depth of the narrative is felt more effectively.

Is the chat system available during raid mode.

" Yes, it is. However, we plan to keep the chat window unobtrusive by default so it doesn't interfere with combat.

Are the signature gimmicks of Mabinogi Heroes, such as throwing objects at enemies or using secondary weapons, present?

" As mentioned in last year's AMA, Vindictus: Defying Fate is focused on the 'action exchange' between the player and the monster. Therefore, the object-throwing or secondary weapon systems from the original will not return as they were. However, we have added more environmental interactions compared to the alpha build, which you will be able to discover while playing.

I heard Arisha is in development. How many characters do you plan to offer at launch?

" We are aiming to provide at least six characters at launch.

With the advancement of AI technology, is customization based on a user's actual photo possible, and can we expect cinematic videos with full voice acting for playable characters?

" To be precise about customization, the characters in Vindictus: Defying Fate already have their own unique names and identities. Therefore, rather than building from scratch, users will be able to customize aspects like body type, makeup, outfits, and accessories on pre-existing characters.

Also, there is more good news regarding customization: your customized character will be reflected in cinematic videos. While certain outfits may be replaced when required by the narrative, the rest will appear in cinematics exactly as the user customized them.

Regarding full voice acting, unfortunately, due to the nature of the game's narrative, playable characters do not speak with their own voices during gameplay. They do speak with their own voices when they are 'Fellows,' and I will mention more about this in the future.

In terms of exposure, is there nudity or anything of that sort?

" No, there is not.

In the last AMA, you mentioned making body types more voluminous and improving physics/sway. How much progress has been made?

" A lot of work has been done on the physics engine. Transitions are much more natural; for example, long hair falling below the shoulders will sway forward when turning the head and then settle naturally back behind the shoulders. Outfits have also been adjusted; the hem of a long coat now sways naturally with each step, with less exaggerated fluttering compared to the alpha build. For body modeling, numerous fine adjustments have been made across various curves and details. While not a dramatic change, these elements combine to create a better overall silhouette.

How much of the feedback from the last AMA has been reflected in the development version?

" Quite a lot. Combat feel, impact, denser sound design, and diversified character expressions are already reflected in the current development build. Optimization is also registered as a high-priority task, and we are continuing to work on it.

Can Karok's 'Clash' be used at any time?

" Clash and Precision Actions do not trigger in multiplayer. They can only be used during solo play or when accompanied by a Fellow.

Is there a feature to show or hide weapons.

" We plan to provide a feature to hide weapons when in a non-combat state or while in town.

How do you plan to implement the part-destruction system?

" We plan to include part-destruction as a combat feature for monsters where it makes sense lore-wise. We will set destructible parts in areas that all characters can easily reach and attack, ensuring everyone has an equal part-destruction experience.

In the original, 'power creep' occurred due to boss attack motions and timing, which caused difficulties for some characters. What is the stance of Vindictus: Defying Fate on this.

" While monsters with slightly faster attack speeds than current ones may appear, the development team has set a clear upper limit. Unless there are major changes later, power creep is something the team wants to avoid.

Do you have any intention of adding a romance system, such as giving flowers to NPCs or going on dates?

" We are developing such features exclusively for Fellows. We hope players can get to know them better and build emotional bonds and intimacy through light conversations and daily interactions.

Are you curious about the return of transformation systems like Dark Knight or Paladin.

" There are currently no plans to add a transformation system to Vindictus: Defying Fate. However, we are considering other options, such as utilizing them within the main story to encounter them in different forms.

There are multiple characters; how does the leveling structure work? Do I have to level up each character? I'm worried about the fatigue of having to repeatedly play specific battles or content for each character.

" Leveling is designed differently from the original. Instead of individual character levels, it consists of a 'Journey Level' shared across all characters, and equipment and abilities can be grown at a reasonable pace regardless of which character you play. The goal of Vindictus: Defying Fate is not to be a grinding game, but one you can play comfortably whenever you want. Of course, there are farming elements for users who want deeper play, but these are auxiliary elements for personal satisfaction, not a mandatory requirement.

Has the light transition when moving from inside a house to the outside improved?

" We are working on natural light transitions when moving between indoors and outdoors.

Can we see effects like blood, dirt, sweat, or wetness on characters?

" The wetness effect from water is in progress and can be seen in the game. However, there are currently no plans to implement effects like dirt or blood.

What is the dyeing system like in Vindictus: Defying Fate? I don't prefer the random color-pulling system of the original.

" The random color-pulling system you mentioned will not return. The current build has a system where you can select and dye colors directly using a color pad. You can also adjust colors by entering RGB values directly. However, dyeing will require the consumption of specific consumable materials.

Are there achievement title systems that give bonus stats like in the original? For example, killing 1,000 goblins with a spear or destroying the Gnoll Chieftain's parts 100 times.

" While we are not bringing over the titles from the original exactly, we are preparing an achievement title system that provides a similar sense of accomplishment. There will be titles obtainable through natural play and others that require deep play, so both casual and hardcore users will be able to enjoy it.

I'm curious if you will transplant, modify, or completely exclude the very popular but overly revealing outfits from the original.

" Some outfits are being created with reference to the original. However, these are just references, and it is rare to bring them over exactly as they were. This is because they need to be implemented appropriately for the current environment, such as physics engine processing and dye slots. It is also to give artists room to reflect new design directions.

I'd also like to know the details about character growth, skill trees, and builds.

" Character growth consists of various elements such as abilities, weapon crafting, and weapon mastery leveling. There are also separate equipment items that increase stats without changing the character's appearance. As for skill trees, each character proceeds with a unique build that defines them. Rather than one character having multiple builds, we aim for each character to have its own build and encourage players to experience multiple characters.

What platforms will be available at launch?

" We are aiming for a simultaneous release on at least two platforms, including PC. We will announce the specific platforms as soon as they are confirmed.

Is there a player-to-player trading or exchange system?

" We have excluded player-to-player trading and exchange systems, as we judged they do not align with the current development direction of Vindictus: Defying Fate.

I want to see the dumpling emoticon.

" To be honest, the dumpling emoticon is a feature I used to spam everywhere myself. (Laughs) Since Vindictus: Defying Fate will include a phrase system that allows for emotional expression along with gestures, I think there is definitely room for the dumpling. However, we need to discuss within the development team whether the original dumpling will actually be approved. Personally, I am pushing for it quite strongly.

How many skills are there? Can the number of skills be adjusted according to the difficulty of operation?

" The baseline is four active skills. There will be no adjustments to the number of skills to balance characters with high control ceilings.

Is it possible to mount monsters and fight?

" It is highly likely that such a combat method will be introduced someday. However, rather than appearing in general combat actions, it will likely be a special skill form suited for taking down specific monsters.

Do you have plans to add Kai to the game? I really enjoyed playing with the Crossgun and Bow in the original.

" The development team considered bringing Kai to Vindictus: Defying Fate while maintaining the charm of his 'Kai-ness,' but ultimately decided against creating him after considering combat balance and various other factors that didn't align with the game's direction. For reference, not all characters from the original will be transplanted as they are, and it is difficult to say specifically which characters are on the addition list at this point.

Do you have plans to add an endgame loop? I think the game would be more enjoyable for longer if there were elements like raid boss farming.

" The repetitive farming elements mentioned earlier are exactly that. However, since Vindictus: Defying Fate will not have an atmosphere that forces grinding, farming will not be a mandatory condition for enjoying the main story or core content. Farming will be more focused on personal satisfaction.

Do flying enemies appear?

" Monsters that fly throughout the battle are not in the planning scope. There may be monsters that glide as part of their attack patterns. Combat itself is basically conducted with feet on the ground.

What is the development philosophy for the enchantment and enhancement system?

" The enchantment and enhancement system is being developed in a completely different direction from the original. While the original system was structured strictly for multiplayer, Vindictus: Defying Fate aims for a method much more suitable for solo play. We will share specific details later.

Is there PVP?

" Well, not only are there no playable 'Gnolls,' but I don't think mercenaries should be fighting each other.

Will wedding dress outfits be included?

" I cannot say for sure whether those specific outfits will be included, but outfits with a fairly wide range of concepts are being worked on. You can look forward to seeing which results make it into the final lineup.

Please tell us about Iset's appearance as well.

" I know Iset is a character who was truly loved in the original. However, Vindictus: Defying Fate is currently at the Season 1 point, and it is too early to mention what comes after that, so I will refrain from commenting on this question for the time being.