As we cross the threshold into 2026 and recalibrate our focus toward the next wave of interactive entertainment, I had the opportunity to sit down with the architects at Neowiz. The publisher, perhaps best known recently for the dark fantasy hit Lies of P, has undergone a transformative year. In the detailed Q&A below, Neowiz co-CEO Sean Kim reflects on the publisher’s 2025 milestones, the impact of the Overture expansion, their evolving release strategy, and the role of generative AI in modern development.
Naturally, we also touched upon the highly anticipated sequel to Lies of P.
The Evolution of Neowiz: An Interview with Co-CEO Sean Kim
Wesley LeBlanc: Looking back at 2025, how would you characterize Neowiz’s performance? Was it a year of steady growth, or did you encounter any major surprises?
Sean Kim: We entered the year with a degree of cautious optimism, but the final results truly exceeded our projections. As the co-CEO of a publicly traded entity, there is always pressure to meet specific financial benchmarks. While we knew Lies of P was a singular, extraordinary creation, predicting its long-term financial trajectory was a complex task. We placed our bets on the technical prowess and raw passion of our development and publishing arms, and that confidence was rewarded. Both sales figures and player sentiment remained remarkably robust.
The Overture expansion also played a substantial role in revitalizing the base game’s ecosystem, attracting a fresh wave of players and diversifying our community. This release was a pivotal moment for us; it effectively cemented Lies of P as a cornerstone franchise for Neowiz’s future. Furthermore, securing accolades like the Golden Joystick in such a competitive year was a gratifying validation of our efforts on both a personal and professional level.
Wesley LeBlanc: While Lies of P has become synonymous with Neowiz, what other initiatives are you currently pursuing?
Sean Kim: Our ambition is to cultivate a portfolio of enduring intellectual properties that resonate with fans for a decade or more. Currently, we have more than five distinct PC and console projects in internal development. Simultaneously, we are scouting for global IP opportunities through strategic alliances with Western creators like Zakazane and Wolfeye. Investing in high-caliber partners worldwide remains a top priority.
Our third-party indie catalog also deserves attention. Many of these projects come from exceptionally talented Korean teams. For instance, titles like SANABI and Shape of Dreams have recently achieved significant critical and commercial traction.
Wesley LeBlanc: You recently mentioned five unannounced projects, ranging from RPGs to life simulations. How does Neowiz decide its creative direction? Does genre dictate your roadmap?
Sean Kim: Our philosophy is rooted in expanding our audience and deepening player engagement. We view “IP” as the synergy of content and its community. Regardless of a game’s technical polish, it cannot be considered truly successful if it fails to satisfy its core fanbase.
We don’t chase specific genres just for the sake of diversity. Instead, we are opportunistic and deliberate about what we can execute at a high level. While continuing the Lies of P franchise is a certainty, our development cycles usually begin with a director’s creative vision rather than a pre-defined gameplay concept. We evaluate these visions based on market viability, our ability to assemble a world-class team, and the potential for long-term community growth.
Wesley LeBlanc: Is there anything you can reveal regarding the Lies of P sequel?
Sean Kim: We aren’t ready to disclose specific details just yet. However, I can say that the team at Round8 Studio is incredibly energized and fully immersed in production. Given the success of the DLC and the unwavering confidence of director Choi Ji-Won, we believe fans have every reason to be excited about what’s on the horizon.
Wesley LeBlanc: How do you view the release of the Overture expansion in hindsight?
Sean Kim: The global reception was incredibly heartening. It was a watershed moment that validated our franchise-led strategy. For Round8 Studio, Overture proved that the Lies of P universe could compete and thrive on a global scale, rewarding the immense dedication the team poured into the project.
Wesley LeBlanc: You are currently publishing titles for Wolfeye and Zakazane. What qualities do you look for in a third-party partner?
Sean Kim: We look for a cohesive vision and a team with the technical maturity to realize it. It’s not just about finding a “good” game; it’s about whether Neowiz is the right partner to elevate that specific project. If a project is promising but falls outside our areas of expertise, we would rather direct those developers to a partner better suited to their needs. Our ultimate goal is the success of the creator.
With Wolfeye, we saw a world-building capability that felt like the start of a massive franchise. With Zakazane, the narrative depth was so compelling that we immediately saw the potential for long-term sequels.
Wesley LeBlanc: How would you define the state of gaming in 2025? Were there any specific trends that stood out?
Sean Kim: 2025 felt like the dawn of a new era where smaller, agile teams are making a massive impact. Our partnership with Lizard Smoothie is a perfect example; their debut, Shape of Dreams, moved 500,000 units in its first month. We intend to build on this by expanding our publishing efforts for narrative-heavy titles globally.
Wesley LeBlanc: Generative AI is a polarizing topic. What is Neowiz’s stance on its implementation?
Sean Kim: South Korea is at the forefront of AI adoption, and it’s rare to find a studio here that hasn’t integrated these tools in some capacity. We are actively researching how advanced learning models can streamline our internal publishing workflows. Our focus is on automating repetitive operational tasks and analyzing vast datasets. This allows our experts to spend more time on high-level strategy and refining the player experience.
Wesley LeBlanc: South Korea is shifting toward high-end PC and console projects. Why do you think this transition is happening now?
Sean Kim: The mobile market has become exceptionally saturated and competitive. It is a natural evolution for leadership teams to look toward PC and console platforms as the next frontier for growth. We are seeing many studios that were previously mobile-centric pivot their focus toward AAA-quality console development, and they are already beginning to see the fruits of that labor.
Wesley LeBlanc: How is your mobile portfolio performing alongside these major console releases?
Sean Kim: Mobile remains a vital pillar of our business. Our “cozy” titles, such as Cats & Soup, have a dedicated following in the West. That game specifically hit a milestone of 60 million downloads recently. We’ve continued to expand that IP with Cats & Soup: Magic Recipe, ensuring that our mobile offerings remain a significant part of our global strategy.
Wesley LeBlanc: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Sean Kim: Neowiz is uniquely positioned with a team that has successfully navigated the global market with Lies of P, supported by a robust publishing infrastructure in North America and Europe. We are eager to forge new, long-term partnerships with visionary teams around the world.
This interview was conducted in December 2025.
