On the 20th, Smilegate unveiled its new project, 'Orpheus' (working title), and began recruiting key developers across four fields: planning, development, graphics, and sound.

A letter from Director Keum Kang-sun, released alongside the recruitment announcement, conveys his sincerity toward game development and the direction of the new project. Director Keum began by saying, "Whether you are just starting your game development journey with excitement, just beginning to understand what game development is, or have been in the industry for a long time, I offer you a dangerous yet fragrant proposal this warm spring day."

He pointed to the realistic contradictions faced by developers who find themselves drifting away from games, noting, "At some point, the 'games' we loved so much became work, became homework, and we ended up creating things that were a bit different from what we intended." However, he quickly emphasized the project team's pure passion, adding, "There are some people who have gathered with the pure intention of making a fun game, just like in those early days."

The specific genre and platform for 'Orpheus' were also mentioned. Director Keum explained, "We are taking on the challenge of a next-generation fantasy open-world RPG," adding, "We hope this small story will resonate and grow, little by little, on PC and console platforms." He further expressed his aspirations, stating, "I want to create a resonant epic with charming and lovable characters, and I want to challenge myself to new adventures in a beautiful and captivating world."

To increase the depth of 'Orpheus,' Smilegate is looking for experts in each job category who possess a profound philosophy for their craft.

The development (programming) team will be responsible for building a robust world that does not collapse even when players engage in unpredictable behavior or exploit gaps in the system. Beyond simply producing content, they must possess the ability to handle exceptions, understand the essence of the player experience, and design the way the world functions through code and systems.

The combat design field coordinates the entire combat process, from player controls to the design of enemies and bosses. The team is looking for talent who will obsessively pursue the details of action—such as infusing boss movements with lore and emotion, and designing gimmicks and phases that communicate with the player. They are looking for planners who resonate with the question: "Will what I am making right now move this genre forward, even by a single step."

Technical Artists (TA) act as a bridge between the artist's imagination and the programmer's technology. As 'alchemists' who extract the best visuals within the constraints of performance, they must have the problem-solving skills to change existing structures and continuously raise the bar for quality.

Finally, Director Keum encouraged applicants, saying, "I want to introduce our project to anyone who wants to leave a small mark on the game industry—to those who want to create a "life game" for at least one person, or a game they can proudly tell their loved ones they helped build." He added, "Don't hesitate; please apply and come hear our story."