Kuro's CEO Q&A is Absolutely Insane

Summary

The video explores the development journey of Curo's *Weathering Waves*, highlighting the studio's flexibility in world-building and its commitment to player feedback. It delves into the creative process behind shifting thematic regions, like fantasy, space, and desert worlds, while maintaining a core focus on keeping players engaged. The video also touches on the challenges the team faced during the launch, their growth to a 2,000+ team, and plans for a competitive multiplayer future with *Project Nami*. Ultimately, it showcases Curo's dedication to innovation and community-driven game design.

Takeaways

• 😀 Curo has created a flexible world for *Weathering Waves*, allowing for diverse genre themes across different regions, such as pirates, outer space, and Dune-like desert landscapes.
• 😀 The game's setting allows players to feel like they are in a dynamic and ever-evolving fantasy world, compared to the apocalyptic vibe of the earlier versions.
• 😀 Curo’s ability to blend different genres and themes makes each region feel like a unique, standalone experience within the game.
• 😀 The launch of *Weathering Waves* was challenging, with technical issues and criticism, but the development team handled it with dedication, working late hours to address issues.
• 😀 Despite the tough launch, Curo's motto—'Love players, love the team, love the game'—sustains morale and encourages the team to continue improving.
• 😀 Curo has over 2,000 staff members and is currently in early to mid-development on *Project Nami*, aiming to create an action game with competitive multiplayer elements.
• 😀 *Project Nami* is expected to bring exciting, competitive gameplay, which is likely to trigger emotional reactions from players, especially with lag or skill-based challenges.
• 😀 Curo’s company culture is focused on growth and tackling challenges, with a focus on improving both the player experience and the internal skillset of the development team.
• 😀 Despite initial impressions that the game might be mechanically repetitive, players find *Weathering Waves* to be a highly engaging sandbox with vast exploration and customization options.
• 😀 Curo has already planned 4-5 years of development for *Weathering Waves*, with no signs of the game’s end-of-service (EOS) in sight, indicating a long-term commitment to player engagement.
• 😀 The development team’s transparency and dedication to feedback helps the game evolve and grow, maintaining player trust and excitement for future content.

Q & A

What themes does *Weathering Waves* explore, and how does it differ from previous games in the franchise?

In *Weathering Waves*, players experience a wide variety of thematic regions, from fantasy settings to more diverse genres like pirates, outer space, deserts, Atlantis, and even cities resembling Night City. This flexibility in theme contrasts with previous games where the tone was more consistent, such as the apocalyptic setting in 1.0 and the more fantasy-oriented 2.0.

How does Curo plan to keep the player base engaged while introducing new thematic regions?

Curo aims to maintain a balance between new, experimental themes and familiar elements that appeal to long-time fans. They’re ensuring that updates remain diverse yet accessible, and continue to provide new experiences without alienating the core audience who appreciated the earlier fantasy focus.

What role does player feedback play in the development process of *Weathering Waves*?

Player feedback is crucial to Curo’s development process. The company uses continuous feedback and iteration to shape the game, aiming for improvement in every update. Positive player feedback fuels their logic and pushes them to strive for greater quality and new challenges.

What challenges did Curo face during the launch of *Weathering Waves*?

The launch of *Weathering Waves* was challenging due to technical issues, which led to some negativity and ‘doom posting’ from the community. However, despite these obstacles, the team at Curo worked tirelessly, with late-night office hours, to resolve issues and maintain the game's quality.

How does Curo’s internal culture and team morale contribute to the success of the game?

Curo fosters a culture focused on love—love for the players, love for the game, and love for the team. This culture of mutual respect and commitment helps maintain morale even through challenging times. They also offer company-wide rewards during milestones to ensure that everyone feels motivated and recognized.

What does Curo's motto, 'love players, love the team, love the game,' represent?

The motto reflects Curo's commitment to creating a strong internal culture, which emphasizes caring for both the players and the team. It underlines the importance of passion for the game and mutual respect among staff to create a successful product that resonates with players.

How has the game’s visual quality evolved over time?

The game has gone through significant visual improvements. Early versions of the game had lower pixel counts and simpler graphics, but as development progressed, the visual quality has dramatically improved. This evolution has made the game stand out visually, and players are now accustomed to a high level of quality.

How does the unpredictability of *Weathering Waves* add value for players?

The dynamic and ever-changing nature of the game world keeps players engaged. By shifting themes and introducing new challenges, the game remains exciting and offers new experiences for those who have played for an extended period. It allows players to experience a variety of genres and settings, keeping the gameplay fresh and unpredictable.

What is the current status of *Project Nami*, and how does it relate to the future of Curo’s development?

Currently in early to mid-development, *Project Nami* is set to be a competitive action game distinct from Curo’s previous titles. It's still in the works, but Curo’s aim is to create a thrilling experience that will generate intense emotions among players. It may hint at a multiplayer focus, marking a significant shift in direction for the company.

How does Curo's long-term development plan for *Weathering Waves* differ from other games in the market?

Curo has already planned for 4-5 years of continuous development for *Weathering Waves*, with no signs of the game reaching an end of service (EOS) anytime soon. This long-term commitment is rare in the gaming industry, where many developers may opt for shorter lifespans or pivot to new projects quickly. Curo’s ongoing updates and improvements demonstrate their dedication to the game and its community.