WarpPortal:Blog

This week, we discuss a hot topic in gaming and where we see the industry in early 2026.

My Take on Using AI

In simple terms, I stand on both sides. AI has become part of the industry, and the industry we have already been using it in countless areas without even realizing it.

If we narrow the focus to gaming, AI is becoming even more deeply integrated. From QA and customer support to asset creation, marketing banners, videos, and even full game development, AI tools are now everywhere. They are powerful, efficient, and often catch things that the human eye might miss.

But there is a trade-off. AI-generated work can lose some of the human essence—creativity, emotion, and the unique perspective that comes from lived experience. And no matter how advanced the model is, sometimes the results simply don’t match what a human mind can imagine.

That’s why we still need human professionals—not only to create and interpret ideas, but to guide, refine, and verify what AI produces. AI is an amazing tool, but it works best alongside people, not instead of them.

—Justin J., – Asst. Project Manager

AI in the gaming industry

When Larion Studios announced their next project, “Divinity”, I was beyond ecstatic. I fell in love with Baldur’s Gate 3, and I could not wait to play their next title. Just before the year ended, Larion Studios’ CEO interviewed with Bloomberg and said that the studio is experimenting with AI tools for the production of Divinity. Instead of creating more anticipation for Larion’s next title, it shifts the discussion to concerns of AI usage in the gaming industry. The discussion was so heated that Larion reversed the decision in their Reddit AMA. This is not just a one-off; Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 got disqualified for AI usage from the Indie Game Awards after winning their game of the year. This topic is not going away anytime soon in the gaming industry, but it begs the question of how the gaming companies should approach the usage of AI.

There is a current trend in mobile game marketing that highlights how developers tone down or completely remove annoying mechanics that are often stigmatized in mobile games, such as forced ads, paywalls, and gacha systems. Would players appreciate a similar approach if the studio clearly stated that their game is “AI-free,” or what about if the studios and developers were upfront about the type of AI they used? It could be something similar to Steam’s disclosure system, which highlights the type of AI that was used in the game. Should Steam and other gaming platforms allow users to filter games that include AI content so they can decide for themselves?

AI may be an inevitable tool in modern gaming development, but at the very least, being honest and transparent to the players who helped make gaming what it is (for better or for worse) may help them make informed choices about the games they want to support.

—Andrew S., Asst. Producer

Here’s the good thing about this topic: it’s broad and controversial.
That’s actually a good thing. It means we’re talking, figuring out where AI fits and where we want the gaming industry to go.

The danger? Letting fear and ignorance dominate the conversation. That’s true in gaming, and honestly, it’s true everywhere. When companies aren’t transparent about their AI use, it feeds that fear. People don’t trust AI in games because it feels like another step away from human creativity. Find out a game you love used AI without telling you? That distrust deepens. It’s disappointing if you’re against AI, sure, but I think it hurts more when companies just aren’t open about their practices in the first place.

And this lack of transparency is playing out against a backdrop of exploding costs.

Look at what we’re dealing with:

ESTIMATED GAME BUDGETS
Grand Theft Auto V (2013) – $137M
Star Wars: The Old Republic (2011) – $200M
Horizon Forbidden West (2022) – $212M
Last of Us Part II (2020) – $220M

These budgets have ballooned. In some cases, they now surpass what big-budget films cost. High budgets are no guarantee of success, either. It’s easy to see why companies are hunting for cost savings. We all know it’s not necessary to spend hundreds of millions to make a fun, rewarding game. Mobile games prove that every day.
But gamers expect more, even though game quality is already unbelievable. The consequence? Higher retail prices. I also think it’s inevitable that companies will keep cutting costs to please investors. Gamers don’t want mass layoffs, but as budgets and expectations inflate, the cost cutting has to come from somewhere.

This is where AI enters, whether gamers are ready or not. One trend we’re seeing, especially across the Pacific, is high AI usage in game production. It lets small teams scale and iterate quickly. The software industry has already been reshaped by AI coding, and that’s only going to accelerate as models get smarter. Games are a mixture of art, music, design, and software. AI is going to touch all of it, especially as companies look to rein in those ballooning costs.

For now, gaming companies are admitting to AI use, mostly for productivity: Ubisoft’s Ghostwriter for NPC dialogue, Unity’s Muse tools, Roblox’s generative textures. These are examples of companies being at least somewhat transparent, testing the waters with specific applications. But how long until AI becomes ready and accepted for full production? Not just for novelty or dialogue support like in inZOI, but woven into every layer of production the way we’re already seeing in China’s WeChat HTML5 game space?

Policymakers are watching. They’re just starting to draft AI legislation, which will essentially give companies permission slips to use AI more openly and at larger scale. But how AI will actually be used, how much it’ll reshape gaming, hiring, and whether companies will be honest about it? Still a mystery.

—Mace T., Project Manager

Thank you for spending your time with us while we think about this fast-changing and wide-reaching topic.

See you next week! Have a great weekend!

We’re back! Happy New Year everyone!!

This week we’re looking at upcoming games for 2026 (or beyond). Let’s jump in!

Grand Theft Auto 6

One of the upcoming 2026 releases that excites me the most is GTA 6. The Grand Theft Auto series has always been more than just a game—it’s a cultural icon that has evolved with every generation of players. From the original GTA 1 with its top-down view and blocky, paper-cutout characters, the franchise has continuously pushed boundaries in storytelling, technology, and freedom of play. Watching it grow from simple chaos on tiny maps to sprawling open worlds with lifelike characters and cinematic narratives feels like witnessing the evolution of gaming itself. If GTA 6 delivers on what Rockstar promises, it could become another milestone that redefines what is possible in video games.

—Justin J., Asst. Project Manager

Marvel: Tohkon Fighting Souls

2025 was an incredible year for gaming, and I cannot wait to see what 2026 has in store.
While many people initially expected it to be dominated by Grand Theft Auto VI, I would not be surprised if the game ends up being delayed until 2027. Even so, I firmly believe that 2026 will still be an outstanding year for gamers.

As a huge fighting game fan, I am especially excited for MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls and Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game (name could be subject to change). I love both of these IPs, and I love the genre. I have always felt they were a perfect match. I cannot wait to see more from the developers as they showcase these titles later this year.

There is one more game I am definitely keeping my eye on, and that is Ragnarok 3, which is being published by our sister company, Gravity Game Vision, and developed by Joymakers. Based on the reveals and trailers released so far, it is clear that the game is aiming for a return to form, highlighted by the tagline “RO, as it was meant to be.”

It is a funny thing to admit as a producer at Gravity, but I do not have a deep personal history with Ragnarok. That being said, I have clearly noticed the incredible passion players have for RO1. I cannot help but feel a bit envious, and it makes me want to experience the game the same way players do. I sincerely hope the team at Joymakers delivers the best version of RO3 that fans have been waiting for, because they truly deserve it.

—Andrew S., Asst. Producer

Ragnarok M: Eternal Love 2

From Gravity, we have a a huge portfolio of RO titles planned for release including two new entries which I am excited about.

Ragnarok Abyss: this game promises a more open world adventure where traditional zone boundaries are removed to create a more immersive experience for players. Other notable features slot the game more into the adventure category like: true day/night cycles and treasures and puzzles hidden throughout the world.

Ragnarok M: Eternal Love 2: this game aims to reach a visual and engagement level more similar to titles like Genshin Impact with rich visuals and deeper open worlds to explore.

Based on the ambition of these two projects, the future of RO seems to be expanding beyond instanced, compartmentalized story-telling.

From the industry, I’m looking to forward to what I expect will be a juggernaut at launch: Final Fantasy XIV: Mobile. I spent a great amount of time playing the game across platforms and look forward to experiencing the world of Eorzea in a new setting. While the UI design is not really my cup of tea I do think the systems of FFXIV are more suited to a handheld experience – including the combat.

I’m also keeping an eye on Fable (tho I think Xbox has really lost its way) and an absolute must buy for me, from Square Enix’s massive remake portfolio, is Dragon Quest VII Reimagined. This one looks to really lean into why SE is such a treasure for fans of craft and artistic taste in the RPG game industry

Seeing how game teams adapt to fast changing technology is the theme I’m looking forward to in 2026.

Despite innovations in AI and hybrid strategies across big titles in mobile gaming, many AA and AAA new releases still feel technically traditional, with limited online integrations beyond leaderboards and co-op play.
Heavy emphasis on narrative themes can make technical progress harder to notice unless those improvements are related to obvious visual enhancements. I’m anticipating more hybrid game styles across PC and console but not holding my breath. Indie and small team success has definitely been impacted by different combinations of rogue-like and card battlers, so we’ll see if the trend continues or moves to a new hybrid mix.

I also expect amazing hybrid innovation across mobile gaming as teams need to generate new hooks to stand out in a very aggressive, profitable, and competitive landscape.

Another  hot and controversial topic for games is the use of generative AI which more leaders in gaming have admitted they may be using in development and production now, tho often quietly.
I expect more flair-ups like what happened with Expedition 33 and many more titles this year. Based on the complex sets of data needed to innovate in large-scale games, many players might be shocked to know how often AI is already being used and how. In my view, despite the backlash and trendy talk of an AI bubble, it may not be so much a matter of “if” but of “when” game teams will use AI in their projects.

We shall see…

—Mace T., Project Manager

That’s it for now.
Thanks for joining us for our quick snapshot of what we are excited about in gaming for 2026.

Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined

Disclaimer: All release dates or windows are subject to change based on the IP holder’s schedule and intent

The Ragnarok Festa 2025 Presented by OneOne gaming festival was officially held on December 13, 2025, at UOB Live Hall, EmSphere, Bangkok and was organized by Gravity, the publisher of Ragnarok Online.

Ragnarok Festa is a large-scale festival that brings together multiple versions of the Ragnarok franchise, along with international-level eSports competitions, all in one place. It is truly an event created especially for Ragnarok fans. First launched in 2024, the festival received an overwhelmingly positive response.

This year, Ragnarok Festa 2025 Presented by OneOne was themed around Geffen, the City of Magic, delivering nonstop fun for attendees throughout the day. It truly lived up to expectations, packed with exciting activities—and best of all, admission to the event was completely free.

Hundreds of people!

Opening with Orchestra Ragnarok theme song which re-arranged for this event!

Opening Ceremony by Mr. Kitamura Yoshinori – Chairman of the Board, COO – Gravity

Enjoy 4 grand final esports tournaments in one event!

Watch a mini concert from PiXXiE

Cosplayers!

A lot of giveaway from 18 Ragnarok IP’s booths!

It can truly be said that Ragnarok Festa was absolutely on another level this year—from the atmosphere and giveaways to the wide variety of activities.

For anyone who missed the event, there’s no need to worry, as Gravity will continue to deliver fun experiences and host great events like this throughout 2026. And most importantly, get ready for Ragnarok Festa 2026!

Photos courtesy of Gravity Game Tech
https://www.facebook.com/gravitygametech

- Andrew S, Asst. Producer

My favorite game from this year has to be “Claire Obscur: Expedition 33”. What else can be said about this game that the entire internet hasn’t already said? It is a heartfelt love letter to turn-based RPGs, calling back to classics like Super Mario RPG and older Final Fantasy titles, but studio Sandfall Interactive didn’t stop there. Nearly every single aspect of this game was deliberately crafted down to the smallest possible detail, and you can sense the developers’ passion in every part of the experience. From the outstanding music to the breathtaking art design to the remarkable story being told, I have nothing but high praise for this game. The game was created with passion and care at its core, and it is impossible for me not to appreciate the effort of the remarkable and talented team at Sandfall Interactive.

- Justin J, Asst Project Manager

For my 2025 Producer Pick, I chose Maplestory World – SouthPerry, a title that perfectly captures the gaming trends of recent years—and the direction I believe the industry will continue moving toward.
Maplestory World is Nexon’s user-generated content (UGC) platform, allowing anyone to create and play a variety of games built with Maplestory’s iconic assets. Among the countless creations on the platform, SouthPerry stood out to me the most.

What makes SouthPerry compelling is how it reimagines a beloved classic IP without simply repeating nostalgia. Instead of recreating the original Maplestory experience, the creators blended it with roguelite elements, one of the strongest and most consistent gameplay trends in recent years. The result is a fast-paced experience with constant progression, quick sessions, and a strong sense of accomplishment—perfect for modern players who may not have hours each day to commit, but still want meaningful, memorable gameplay moments.

The combination of a deep, long-standing IP with modern roguelite design feels incredibly relevant to today’s gaming market. For me, SouthPerry represents the sweet spot between familiarity and innovation: a game that honors Maplestory’s legacy while embracing what players enjoy right now.

– Mace T, Project Manager

2025 has been a weird year in gaming for me.
It seems every year I play more and more mobile titles and console/PC games take a backseat.
Which is weird because I went from almost no mobile gameplay, a few years ago, to it becoming my major way to pass the time with games.

While I do have evergreen titles that I go back to every once in a while like Awesomenauts, the Elder Scrolls Online, and daily word puzzles like Connections [New York Times] and Pinpoint [LinkedIn], the game that has impressed me the most over the last year is Monopoly GO (MG).

Certainly not the game I would normally put on the top of a games list, but as a designer and artist I genuinely appreciate the cute, cartoony visual design. Social casino games can be quite routine, but MG has truly been innovative in the game design area, which I appreciate as a game producer. The team at Scopely, the developer of Monopoly Go, pushes the limits constantly and really makes progression hooks feel fresh each season. The new Harry Potter event just started, so if you want to collect those special stickers it’s still early!
There is a lot to learn from massive games like Monopoly GO that I think will take a long time for console/PC games to catch up, and I’m excited to see where the industry goes with strong titles like MG leading the way.

 
Thanks for joining us!
Next week we’ll take a look at some titles we’re looking forward to next year (including some from Gravity!) before we close out the year and take a break for holidays!

Have a great day!!