Nikke Director's New Studio GPYOON Reveals Mecha Shooter Game Terrarium with $5M Funding
Former Shift Up director Choi Joo-hong's new studio secures major investment for 2027 launch of anime-style mecha third-person shooter combining Nikke DNA with giant robot combat.
Korean game developer GPYOON has successfully demonstrated their debut project "Terrarium" while announcing substantial funding progress. The studio, founded by former "Goddess of Victory: Nikke" director Choi Joo-hong, positions their upcoming title as the first subculture mecha third-person shooter.
GPYOON has raised 7 billion won ($5.2 million) in pre-Series A funding from prominent investors including Kakao Ventures, Kona Venture Partners, and Webzen. Webzen acquired a 10% stake in the company, marking their second major gaming investment of 2025.
The development team has grown to 42 members, transitioning from prototype development to full content production. CEO Choi Joo-hong brings experience from developing Destiny Child and Nikke at Shift Up, while core team members include veterans from NCsoft and other major Korean studios.
Core Concept: Players command underground bases called "Terrariums" where humanity retreated after alien "Ripper" invasions. The game combines anime-style female characters called NAU (Neural Android Units) with transforming mecha robots called Motor Aim.
Combat System:
- Squad-based battles with 3 active NAU units, 2 support units, and 1 Motor Aim mech
- Dynamic pilot-mecha switching during combat
- Transformation mechanics allowing mechs to become aircraft, vehicles, or weapon platforms
- Flexible pairing system between characters and mechs
Additional Features:
- Underground base expansion and management
- Character interaction systems with club activities and mini-games
- Strategic field deployment for territory expansion
Current Status: Prototype completed, focusing on expanding content volume for Chapter 1 completion by late 2025
Release Plan: 2027 global launch targeting mobile, PC, and console platforms with cross-play functionality
Publisher negotiations will begin following Chapter 1 demonstration, with the team actively seeking partners who align with their vision for the subculture gaming market.
The subculture gaming sector has seen major successes with titles like Nikke and Blue Archive. While Terrarium shares narrative elements with Nikke (post-apocalyptic setting, android characters), GPYOON emphasizes their focus on seven faction storylines rather than individual character narratives.
The mecha shooter combination represents an underexplored niche within the popular subculture genre, potentially giving Terrarium first-mover advantages in this specific market segment.
Webzen's investment reflects their broader strategy to identify promising development studios as the company expands beyond their traditional MMO focus. The funding success demonstrates continued investor confidence in the Korean gaming industry despite challenging market conditions.
GPYOON's ("Game Pride is UNlimited") approach combines proven subculture game expertise with innovative mecha combat mechanics, backed by substantial funding and industry veteran leadership for their ambitious 2027 global launch target.
