Development History

Overview

Chrono Odyssey has undergone a lengthy and evolving development process, transitioning from a multi-platform UE4 title to a focused UE5 action MMORPG. Originally announced as "Project S" in December 2020, the game has seen engine upgrades, platform changes, publisher partnerships, a mixed-reception closed beta, and a comprehensive post-beta overhaul. The release target has shifted multiple times, from Q4 2025 to Q4 2026 to the current target of Q1 2027.

2019. Development Begins

Development begins at NPIXEL, the South Korean studio behind the mobile RPG Gran Saga. The studio is led by CEO Spike Bong-Gun Bae, known for his previous work on DK Online and Seven Knights. To fund the ambitious new project, NPIXEL secured $27 million USD in investment from Aspex, SAEHAN Venture Capital, and Altos Ventures. This initial funding would support the early development phase and the studio's transition toward a large-scale PC and console MMORPG.

December 2020. Official Announcement

The game is officially announced as Chrono Odyssey, previously known by its codename "Project S". The reveal describes an "epic fantasy MMORPG about time and space" with an ambitious feature set:

• 18 job systems for deep class customization

• Large-scale RvR (Realm vs Realm) battles

• Random dungeons with procedural elements

• Maps transcending time and space

• Platforms: console, PC, iOS, and Android

• Engine: Unreal Engine 4

• Composer: Cris Velasco (God of War, Bloodborne, Overwatch, Mass Effect, StarCraft)

• Cross-media plans including novels, comics, and drama production

The initial vision was far broader than what the game would ultimately become, targeting both mobile and PC/console audiences with cross-platform play.

May 3, 2023. Gameplay Reveal on UE5

A gameplay reveal trailer launches, showcasing the game now running on Unreal Engine 5 a major engine upgrade from UE4 that provides access to Nanite virtualized geometry, Lumen global illumination, and World Partition for seamless open-world streaming. Platforms are narrowed to PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with mobile platforms officially dropped. The development team is now referred to as "Chrono Studio of NPIXEL," indicating the formation of a dedicated internal studio division focused exclusively on Chrono Odyssey.

March 2024. GDC and Kakao Partnership

At GDC 2024 (Game Developers Conference), during Epic Games' State of Unreal panel, Chrono Studio unveils a new in-engine trailer demonstrating the game's visual fidelity on UE5. Two major announcements accompany the trailer:

• Kakao Games is confirmed as the global publisher, bringing significant marketing resources and distribution infrastructure.

• The game is announced as buy-to-play with no subscription fee. The cash shop will be cosmetics-only, no pay-to-win items.

• A Steam wishlist page goes live, allowing players to begin tracking the game's progress toward release.

April 30, 2025. Gran Saga Shutdown

NPIXEL announces the shutdown of Gran Saga, the studio's existing mobile RPG. The shutdown is directly tied to the need to focus all development resources on Chrono Odyssey. This decision signals NPIXEL's full commitment to the MMORPG project and its willingness to sacrifice existing revenue streams to ensure Chrono Odyssey's quality at launch.

June 2025. Closed Beta Test 1

June 9. Summer Game Fest

A new Chrono Odyssey trailer debuts at Summer Game Fest 2025, generating significant visibility among the broader gaming audience ahead of the upcoming closed beta.

June 12. Pre-CBT Interview

A pre-CBT interview addresses endgame content, gear progression, and monetization. The executive producer confirms a cosmetics-only monetization philosophy. Weapon skins, mount skins, emotes, and a battle pass. The statement that "no pay-to-win or enhancing items will be sold" is repeated three times during the interview for emphasis.

June 20-22. CBT1 on Steam

CBT1 runs June 20-22, 2025 exclusively on Steam, drawing approximately 65,000 peak concurrent players. Reception is mixed. The beta demonstrates the ambition and scope of the project but also reveals significant areas needing improvement:

• Performance instability and frame rate drops in populated areas

• Missing visual enhancements expected from UE5

• Clunky combat animations with excessive input delay

• Narrative inconsistencies and weak character motivation

• Uneven dungeon pacing and difficulty spikes

• Class balance issues across the six classes

• Progression pacing problems in early and mid-game

Community comparisons to Amazon's New World (both positive and negative) are widespread. The beta succeeds in generating awareness and community engagement but falls short of the quality expectations set by the game's marketing materials.

July 2025. Post-Beta Response

July 7. Combat and Performance Response

Chrono Studio publishes an initial response addressing the most common combat and performance complaints from CBT1. The team acknowledges the issues and states that CBT2 may not happen in 2025, signaling the scope of changes being planned.

July 14. CEO Commitment Message

CEO Bong-Gun Bae shares a personal development commitment message via X/Twitter, addressing the community directly. The message acknowledges the CBT1 feedback and reaffirms the team's dedication to delivering a polished final product.

July 30, 2025. Developer's Note #2

A comprehensive two-part Developer's Note (titled "End of the Closed Beta" Parts 1 and 2) announces a massive overhaul touching nearly every aspect of the game:

• Combat Reduced animation delay and input lag. Enhanced hit feedback. New "Matrix" system where each weapon evolves into 4 distinct playstyles. Smarter enemy AI. Improved weapon switching, lock-on targeting, camera behavior, and controller support.

• World Design Region-specific visual identity with distinct architectural and environmental themes. Themed caves. Diverse routing options. Dynamic grass and wind systems that respond to player movement. Increased exploration rewards.

• Story Full narrative overhaul for a richer, more emotionally resonant adventure. Regional quests with unique characters and stories per region. Player choices influencing quest outcomes.

• Dungeons Expedition Dungeons randomized with varied bosses, treasure chests, and random events. Additional rewards for repeat completions.

• Technical GPU and CPU load reduction for better performance. DLSS, FSR, and TSR support. Improved lighting and visual fidelity.

• Audio Heavier weapon impact sounds. Adaptive environmental audio that responds to location, weather, and combat state.

• PvE Progression Refined early-game pacing. Optional NPC support for the initial Chrono Gate encounter. Solo content redesigned to emphasize pattern-based mechanics.

August 2025. Release Delayed to Q4 2026

The release target shifts from Q4 2025 to Q4 2026 due to the scope of the overhaul announced in Developer's Note #2. The delay reflects the development team's commitment to addressing every major issue identified during CBT1 rather than rushing to market.

September 29, 2025. Monster Adjustment Teaser

Chrono Studio releases a teaser showcasing monster behavior adjustments. Improved enemy AI, better attack telegraphing, and more varied encounter patterns. This represents one element of the broader combat overhaul.

December 25, 2025. Developer's Notes #3

Developer's Notes #3, titled "End of 2025," provides a progress update. The team reports being in the final stages of polishing combat improvements, quality-of-life changes, and visual enhancements. The note expresses gratitude to the community for patience during the extended development period and reaffirms the commitment to delivering the game in its best possible state.

January 29, 2026. Developer's Notes #4

Developer's Notes #4 delivers a deep-dive into the major combat overhaul, providing specific details on changes that directly affect moment-to-moment gameplay:

• Camera-Independent Movement Characters now move independently from the camera direction, allowing strafing, retreating, and repositioning without camera lock. This was one of the most impactful changes, fundamentally improving the feel of combat and traversal.

• Instant Sprint (Sprint starting animation removed entirely) sprinting triggers instantly on input.

• Guard Crush System Blocking now consumes stamina. When stamina reaches zero, Guard Crush leaves the player defenseless and vulnerable to a punish window. Blocks also break immediately if hit from the side or rear, adding positional depth to defensive play.

• Knockback durations reduced across the board to maintain combat flow and reduce frustrating stun-lock situations.

• Total CC (crowd control) immunity removed from several powerful monsters, replaced with conditional immunity systems that create windows of vulnerability.

• HP Potions Changed to a permanent, rechargeable mechanic. Food items from cooking reserved exclusively for long-term stat buffs.

• Mid-Air Sprint Queuing Sprint key pressed mid-jump now queues sprint activation upon landing.

February 11, 2026. Release Pushed to Q1 2027

During a Kakao Games earnings call, the release target is pushed from Q4 2026 to Q1 2027. An executive states: "We wanted to make sure that we fully reflect all the enhancements that are required." The same earnings call reveals that Kakao Games revenue declined 18% compared to Q4 2024, adding financial context to the publisher's decision to delay rather than rush. A second closed beta test (CBT2) is expected but has not been given a specific date.

Current Status

As of February 2026, Chrono Odyssey targets a Q1 2027 release on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The game follows a buy-to-play model with cosmetics-only monetization and no subscription fee.

Timeline Summary

• 2019 Development begins at NPIXEL; $27M investment secured

• Dec 2020 Announced as "Chrono Odyssey" (codename "Project S"); UE4; console + PC + mobile

• May 2023 Gameplay reveal on UE5; PS5/Xbox/PC confirmed; mobile dropped

• Mar 2024 GDC trailer; Kakao Games confirmed as publisher; buy-to-play; Steam wishlist live

• Apr 2025 Gran Saga shutdown to focus resources on Chrono Odyssey

• Jun 9, 2025 Summer Game Fest trailer

• Jun 12, 2025 Pre-CBT endgame/monetization interview

• Jun 20-22, 2025 CBT1 on Steam; ~65,000 peak; mixed reception

• Jul 7, 2025 Combat/performance response; CBT2 may not happen in 2025

• Jul 14, 2025 CEO commitment message via X/Twitter

• Jul 30, 2025 (Dev Notes #2 (Parts 1 & 2)) massive overhaul announced

• Aug 2025 Release delayed to Q4 2026

• Sep 29, 2025 Monster adjustment teaser

• Dec 25, 2025 (Dev Notes #3) polishing combat, QoL, visuals

• Jan 29, 2026 (Dev Notes #4) combat overhaul deep-dive

• Feb 11, 2026 (Kakao earnings call) pushed to Q1 2027; Kakao revenue down 18% vs Q4 2024