Webzen's MMORPG R2 is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the 'Departure' update. The update aims to improve the play environment, refine growth elements, strengthen operational stability, and redefine the service's direction. The R2 team stated that they hope to expand character growth paths and allow users to experience the joy of diverse progression more quickly.

What does the 'Departure' update, built on 20 years of experience, include? Before the launch, we sat down with PM Song Han-sol to discuss the preparation process and details of the update.

Building on 20 years of experience to create a new 'Departure'.

We are curious about the recent status of the R2 development team.

"The development team is currently prioritizing both the delivery of new content and the renewal of existing content. We are discussing both directions from various angles. Additionally, we are actively incorporating user feedback to improve inconveniences, enhance accessibility, and strengthen our response to abnormal gameplay.

The 'Departure' update marks that starting point. As the title suggests, it signifies the first step of a new journey, using the past 20 years as a foundation. To mark the 20th anniversary, we wanted to redefine our future direction based on the time and experience we have shared with our users and capture that in this update.

Could you explain the main focus of the R2 'Departure' update.

"We focused on improving the play environment, expanding growth elements, and strengthening operational stability. Based on recurring user feedback, we have reduced inconveniences encountered during gameplay and made content more accessible.

Furthermore, we have expanded growth paths so that users can develop their characters in various ways. We added elements that provide practical help to ensure users can feel the joy of fast and diverse growth. We are also conducting server environment checks and optimizations for stable service, and we are strengthening our response system against abnormal gameplay.

We are curious about the planning intent behind the new 'Adventure Log System' and what kind of new fun and experiences you hope to provide to R2 users through it.

"We wanted to diversify growth elements while ensuring users feel satisfied through consistent play. In R2, equipment plays a significant role in character growth. Because it follows a 'high-risk, high-reward' structure—success or failure—it is true that the burden on users increases as characters grow. Therefore, we introduced the 'Adventure Log System' to allow for steady, incremental growth. We hope users will feel the joy of increasing stats and the satisfaction of growth as they gradually complete the various goals set within this system.

Is there a reason why the Adventure Log System is seasonal.

"We debated this internally quite a bit. However, we concluded that if we applied it as a permanent system, the difficulty and fatigue would inevitably increase. Therefore, we chose to operate it seasonally, allowing us to monitor user progress and provide diverse experiences while reducing play fatigue in the future.

The structure increases the 'Total Record Completion Rate' based on the number of records written, which in turn increases various stats. How significant is the stat boost at the maximum level.

"It is difficult to be specific as we do not officially disclose detailed in-game figures. However, I can say that even top-tier users will be able to clearly feel the increase in stats upon completing the entire log.

What is the difficulty level for item collection or monster elimination required to complete the records? We are curious if it is enjoyable for both casual and hardcore users.

"The Adventure Log consists of 200 entries. We have prepared a variety of tasks, ranging from very easy monster eliminations and item collections to high-difficulty records that only top-tier users can challenge. Users will be able to find fun and a sense of achievement by filling out records that match their own growth level.

New trait enhancement skills have been added to the 'Crush Skills' for each class. How do you expect this to change the combat style of each class.

"With the addition of new trait enhancement skills, we expect significant changes not only in preparation—such as stat settings and skill timing—but also in combat control elements.

For example, if you are under the effect of a debuff from a Summoner or Elf's trait enhancement skill, using magic or skills recklessly will now result in a significant disadvantage in combat. Therefore, players will need to adopt different strategies to clear debuffs. Additionally, if an Assassin from an opposing guild is strong, players will need to strategically consider different equipment settings, such as prioritizing stats other than critical hits, or sacrificing evasion when facing a Knight or Ranger.

Could you explain the biggest challenges you faced regarding PVP/PvE balance during the class skill improvement process.

"In this update, we prioritized improving the damage of each class' trait enhancement skills. We determined that compared to the average specs of current users, the damage impact of these skills was minimal, so we adjusted them upward to provide value commensurate with the difficulty of acquiring them.

Furthermore, we focused on improving trait enhancement skills, which are the foundation of combat in both PVP and PvE, to lay the groundwork for future skill balance adjustments. We plan to sequentially prepare and introduce various skill improvements moving forward.

It seems that rewards will be easier to obtain through the mission system revamp. What were your main considerations during this process.

"As the mission system became outdated, we identified user dissatisfaction regarding missions that were impossible to complete or excessively difficult. Therefore, our main focus in this revamp was to resolve these inconveniences. We also approached it from various angles, such as adjusting mission content to match server characteristics and increasing the sense of reward upon completion.

Weekly points have been introduced. What are the core rewards users will receive at certain point intervals through weekly missions.

"While various consumables are provided as rewards, the core reward that users will feel most significantly is undoubtedly the 'EXP Amplification Rune.' It has been somewhat difficult to obtain in-game, so by making it available on a weekly basis, we hope users can enjoy focused hunting at least one day a week.

It seems gameplay will become more comfortable through various content improvements. Could you introduce the most essential improvement.

"The part that most users will feel is the 'buff to existing trait enhancement skills.' We determined that as time passed after the update and user specs generally increased, the advantage of the additional damage provided by existing trait enhancement skills had diminished. Therefore, we increased the damage so these skills can be utilized meaningfully again. We expect this will enable much more comfortable hunting than before.

Following this large-scale July patch, what is R2's long-term update roadmap or direction.

"It may sound fundamental, but our priority is to continuously add new systems in the long term to provide users with new gameplay experiences and fun, while increasing the satisfaction of growth.

The development team checks every piece of feedback left through the customer center or the website forums. We hope you continue to share your opinions, as it will be a great help in creating a service that satisfies our users.

Lastly, do you have a word for R2 users regarding this update.

"First, I would like to express my deep gratitude to all users playing R2. It feels like just yesterday that I first introduced myself, and it is hard to believe that two years have already passed. There were certainly areas where we fell short in the eyes of our users, and there were moments where I personally felt regret, thinking, 'I could have done better.'

This 'Departure' update is meant to capture the first step of a new journey. I will do my best when we take our second and third steps, so I hope you continue to watch over us with affection. More than half of the year has already passed. I hope all R2 users stay healthy and have a happy year.