Nexon Games is building the backgrounds and graphic resources for its new title, 'Woochi the Wayfarer,' based on approximately 69k tourism photos provided by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO). By layering the game's fictional Joseon Dynasty setting over real-world Korean landscapes and cultural heritage, the project is expected to significantly enhance player immersion.

According to reports on the 22nd, the KTO approved the provision of 69479 original Korean tourism photos and their associated metadata to Nexon Games earlier this month. The data, which the KTO holds the copyright to, will be used for in-game traditional backgrounds and graphic resources, with no restrictions placed on the duration or geographic scope of its use.

'Woochi the Wayfarer' is Nexon Games' first foray into the single-player action-adventure game genre. Inspired by the classic Korean novel 'The Tale of Jeon Woo-chi,' the game follows the adventures of the Taoist 'Woochi' in a fictionalized Joseon Dynasty. Built on Unreal Engine 5, the game aims for the global market on PC and console platforms.

The LoreVault studio, which is leading development, has been conducting location scouting across the country to recreate the Joseon Dynasty in high-quality 3D. This data provision adds a vast library of real-world visual resources to their existing historical research and verification efforts.

For the KTO, this partnership offers the opportunity to expose its accumulated tourism resources to a global audience through a major game. The fact that the organization requested feedback and performance sharing throughout the data utilization process indicates that this is a collaborative effort rather than a one-time data transfer. It effectively opens another channel for exporting Korean traditions and landscapes through gaming.

Collaborations between game companies and public institutions have been on the rise. Pearl Abyss introduced the 'Land of the Morning Light' region to 'Black Desert,' reinterpreting traditional architecture like Sangdangsanseong Fortress and Geumsansa Temple, as well as local folklore, in collaboration with the Cultural Heritage Administration, the KTO, the National Palace Museum of Korea, and various local governments. Meanwhile, Devsisters partnered with the Seoul Business Agency to host an exhibition combining the 'Cookie Run' IP with traditional crafts such as mother-of-pearl lacquerware.

Games are increasingly becoming both a vessel for traditional culture and a window through which to share it with the world.