Rise of the Windless

Dive into the world of Project Windless! Discover lore, development insights, and what to expect from Krafton's epic fantasy game based on 'The Bird That Drinks Tears'.

Hey there! So you're looking to get into Project Windless, huh? Awesome choice! This game is shaping up to be something really special, drawing inspiration from the epic fantasy novel series The Bird That Drinks Tears. Think massive battles, a rich, war-torn world, and you, a mighty Rekon warrior, right in the thick of it all. You'll be forging alliances, leading armies, and basically trying to unite a fractured land to forge a new kingdom. It's going to be a wild ride!

This isn't just a quick adaptation, either. The developers are really aiming to bring the novel's incredible world to life – the complex characters, the bizarre creatures, and those breathtaking locations. Plus, Krafton is known for some seriously intense gameplay, so expect that edge-of-your-seat action.

A Little Dev Insight:

The project first got on our radar back in September 2022 with a concept trailer called "The Nhaga Eater." It gave us a serious vibe check for the game's aesthetic and tone. They even brought on Iain McCaig, a concept artist you might know, as design director, and Son Kwangjae is heading up the art direction. Pretty cool, right?

Then, in February 2023, Krafton announced they were opening a new AAA studio in Montreal, Canada – Krafton Montreal! They're planning to grow it to about 150 people over the next three years, and guess what? This game is their first big project. They've also got industry veterans like Patrik Méthé leading the charge.

Krafton dropped some updates in their investor reports. In August 2023 (Q2 earnings), they mentioned the game concept was being finalized. By November 2023 (Q3 earnings), we got a potential release window: 2026! And then, in February 2026, we got a proper re-reveal during Sony's State of Play, showing a new trailer. Good news: it's not a super direct book adaptation, which gives them more creative freedom. Instead, it'll focus on the story of the King the Hero, a Rekon warrior from way back who actually founded the Arajit Kingdom. That sounds epic!

What to Expect:

While we don't have exact gameplay details yet, the trailers and descriptions suggest a game with:

• A massive, war-torn fantasy world to explore.
• Intense, large-scale battles.
• A focus on character-driven narrative, inspired by the novels.
• The unique aesthetic and creatures from The Bird That Drinks Tears.
• Gameplay that blends action with strategic elements, likely involving forging alliances.

Keep an eye out for more news as we get closer to the 2026 release!