A Landmark Anniversary for Goddess of Victory: Nikke
November marks the highly anticipated third anniversary of Goddess of Victory: Nikke, bringing with it the game’s most ambitious in-game event to date. Players will experience the dramatic conclusion of the main ‘Rapture Queen’ storyline, featuring the largest-scale battles the game has ever seen.
For those unfamiliar, Goddess of Victory: Nikke is a captivating free-to-play third-person idle shooter developed by the Korean studio Shift Up. Available on Android, iOS, and PC, the game has amassed over 45 million downloads since its launch in November 2022. Players command a diverse roster of over 160 ‘Nikke’ – android soldiers – in their relentless effort to reclaim the overworld from the formidable alien race known as Raptures, who have driven humanity underground.
This ongoing conflict culminates in the new anniversary story event, where players will engage in a decisive final showdown against the menacing Rapture Queen. But this epic confrontation is just one highlight of the anniversary update. Another significant addition is the innovative Surface Beta mode, which introduces large-scale, simulation-style battles. Here, players will strategically assemble Nikke squads, combat Raptures, gather vital resources, and seize control of strongholds across an expansive new world.
Beyond the core gameplay, the anniversary update introduces exciting new recruitable characters. Commander will be able to enlist new SSR characters, Nayuta and Liberalio, through the standard gacha system. Additionally, SSR Chime will be available as a free anniversary event character. Nayuta and Liberalio are central to the new story, with Nayuta leading her Pioneer Squad against the Rapture Queen, a figure Liberalio mysteriously reveres.
The celebration also brings fresh cosmetic options, including a new gacha costume for Red Hood and pass costumes for Crown and Siren. Players will also have another chance to acquire powerful Pilgrim characters through a re-run, allowing them to choose one of Modernia, Dorothy, or Red Hood as an exclusive event pull. Further adding to the excitement are various limited-time challenges, such as new boss encounters, a new Union Raid, Solo Raid, and a host of engaging minigames and special events.
As the third anniversary approached, we had the privilege of speaking with Game Director Yoo HyungSuk. A seasoned veteran with 15 years in the Korean gaming industry, Yoo began his career as a combat planner for MMORPGs and previously directed titles like Overhit and Lost Ark. He joined Shift Up in 2020 to lead Goddess of Victory: Nikke. Our conversation covered the game’s remarkable three-year journey, the development team’s approach to the new anniversary content, and their ambitious plans for the future.
The ‘Final Battle’ and Future Storylines
According to your livestream, the new anniversary story content leads to what is a “final battle.” Could you explain why such a storyline is being launched at this point?
Yoo HyungSuk: Since launch, Nikke has offered a vast number of stories branching in many directions. We felt it was time to gradually bring these narratives, which have expanded over the past three years, together into a singular, cohesive storyline. The third anniversary serves as the pivotal starting point for this grand plan.
Introducing Nayuta: A Unique New Character
Nayuta, the featured character for the third anniversary update, is unique compared to previous Nikke characters. Can you talk about the concept behind the development of this character and the different abilities they have?
Yoo HyungSuk: All members of the Pioneer squad are designed based on classic JRPG party roles. Snow White embodies the heavily armored knight and tanker, Scarlet is the agile swordswoman and DPS, and Rapunzel serves as the healing priest. This foundational structure guided our approach.
Nayuta, as the fourth member, was conceived as the supporting monk. Our aim wasn’t to make her stronger in combat than the other three, but rather to focus on developing her utility, which led to her current set of abilities. Her primary ability involves using her clones to gather vast amounts of information. As a former D.E.E.P. member, she also possesses a deep understanding of over-technology.
Exploring the New Surface Beta Gameplay Mode
You’re also introducing a new gameplay mode called Surface Beta to launch alongside the third anniversary. Can you tell us more about it?
Yoo HyungSuk: As its name suggests, the Surface Beta content allows players to explore the biggest world ever seen in Nikke. To enhance immersion, we opted for a simulation-style battle system instead of the existing shooting format. We’ve integrated enjoyable elements across the expansive field, such as discovering hidden areas and solving puzzles. Our main goal is for players to experience challenging battles against Lord-class Raptures. Given that Raptures have unique gimmick patterns based on the surface environment, it’s crucial to carefully select squad deployment locations. We also plan to introduce even stronger bosses in the future, so there’s much more to look forward to!
The Art of Crafting Engaging Minigames
Your dev team has consistently created new minigames throughout Nikke’s three-year run. What factors are usually considered when deciding what type of minigame to develop?
Yoo HyungSuk: For major events like this anniversary, our ‘minigames’ are anything but mini! Given the significance of this update, we poured extra effort into this game mode, featuring a never-before-seen genre with unique visuals and an impressive scale. It’s a management simulation-style game where players are tasked with restoring Eden, which was mysteriously destroyed.
Behind Nikke’s Enduring Success
Just the fact that we’re here celebrating the three-year anniversary shows how successful the game has been and how it’s maintained a connection with the community. What do you think are the reasons for that success?
Yoo HyungSuk: We believe our Commanders truly enjoy the unique content and stories that set Nikke apart from other games. In an era saturated with content, delivering gameplay, visuals, and narratives that mirror other titles would simply be uninteresting.
Our dedicated fans possess a deep appreciation for our content and stories. To continuously deliver exceptional content and narratives without disappointing them, we constantly impress upon our entire development team the importance of genuinely loving the game, understanding it’s more than just a job. We remain committed to this philosophy and will work even harder to improve our game, so please stay tuned for what’s next.
Overcoming Development Challenges
Since Nikke first launched, what have been the biggest difficulties you’ve run into and how did you overcome them?
Yoo HyungSuk: Over the past three years, our most significant challenge has been adapting to this rapidly changing era and determining what content and stories will provide players with the most enjoyment. This issue has been constant for three years and will undoubtedly continue into the future. As game developers, fun is the core value of any game, so it is our responsibility to embrace this challenge and consistently deliver fresh, engaging content to our players. It’s a journey that is both joyful and demanding.
Maintaining Team Engagement and Resilience
That’s an interesting perspective. Do you think needing to adapt to that change has helped keep the dev team engaged? I imagine it can sometimes be difficult working on the same game for years even after release, dealing with complacency or burnout. But do you think having those consistent challenges to overcome helps with that?
Yoo HyungSuk: Yes, when we set endless goals, it is indeed possible to encounter issues like job burnout. Much like boxers, we need to constantly compete, demonstrate our abilities, and cultivate strong mental resilience.
This is why, from the very beginning, we’ve emphasized to the development team that learning from mistakes and growing is more important than aiming for zero errors. After adopting this mindset, we observed that continuously setting ambitious goals actually helps improve the team’s focus and drive.
The Strategy Behind Collaborations
You’ve been able to collaborate with some big franchises, from Evangelion to Stellar Blade to Nier: Automata to the recent Resident Evil. What’s the process in deciding who to collaborate with?
Yoo HyungSuk: Collaborations are determined through various discussions, but recently, our focus has been on identifying IPs that players who already enjoy Nikke will appreciate, even if they aren’t directly familiar with the collaborating franchise. We approached the Resident Evil minigame with this perspective, and we genuinely hope players are enjoying it.
Nikke in the Real World
Nikke has also shown up at some surprising real-life events, like the San Diego Padres baseball game and on the Hudson River in New York. Will we see Nikke at other real-world events in the future?
Yoo HyungSuk: Absolutely! Bringing diverse forms of enjoyment that extend beyond the game itself to our Commanders truly makes us happy. In particular, witnessing Rapi throw the first pitch at Petco Park in San Diego was a tremendous honor for us. We will continue striving to deliver our best, so please keep following our journey.
Shift Up’s Vision for Nikke in 2026
Speaking of the future, what does Shift Up have planned for Goddess of Victory: Nikke in 2026?
Yoo HyungSuk: In 2026, our commitment remains strong: to deliver engaging experiences both within and beyond the game. We are actively preparing a variety of events and updates designed to surprise and delight our players. We are already excited to bring even more special surprises for the 3.5 and fourth anniversaries. Looking ahead to 2026, we also plan to significantly enhance the quality of our operations to ensure a more stable and enjoyable experience for everyone. We hope you all continue to enjoy the game!
A Glimpse Beyond the Final Battle
Since the third anniversary’s story is centered around the “final battle” theme, could you give us a hint about what comes next?
Yoo HyungSuk: We anticipate that in 2026, our story will advance to its next major stage. Our intention is to gather the multitude of narratives we’ve shared so far, bring them to a culminating point, and then propel the story forward into new territories.
A Message to the Dedicated Nikke Community
Nikke has built up quite a following of passionate fans around the world in its three years. As we celebrate the anniversary, is there anything you want to say to the players who’ve been on this journey with you?
Yoo HyungSuk: This year, we attended the LA Anime Expo with Cosmograph, where we had the incredible opportunity to speak with American players in person. Many expressed their gratitude, and some even shed tears of excitement upon meeting us. These moments have left an indelible mark on my heart.
For those of us who spend countless hours in the office, this chance to connect with players face-to-face is truly invaluable. Being able to personally feel the love and support from our fans is incredibly fulfilling. While developing the game and managing live service can often be challenging and exhausting, the unwavering support from our players empowers us to overcome difficulties, rebound repeatedly, and continually strive to create more exciting and fun events for everyone.