Fans of the 2023 soulslike hit have reason to celebrate: the Lies of P sequel has officially entered its full production phase. While rumors of a follow-up have circulated since the original game's massive success, South Korean publisher Neowiz has now confirmed the news via a recent financial report.
According to the report, a prototype for the project has been "approved," clearing the path for the team at Round8 Studio to move into full development. While this marks a massive milestone for the franchise, players will have to be patient, as Neowiz did not provide a specific release window.
Building the Lies of P Franchise
The news comes alongside updates regarding the financial health of the existing IP. Neowiz noted that revenue from the Lies of P DLC, Overture, has now "stabilized." Moving forward, the company intends to focus on global IP franchising and fandom-centered operations to ensure long-term growth.
Beyond the upcoming sequel, Neowiz also teased a "new IP" currently in development. The studio seems to be leaning heavily into its strengths to maintain its momentum in a crowded market. Key takeaways from the report include:
- Narrative Focus: Management identified storytelling as their primary Unique Selling Point (USP).
- Talent Acquisition: Directors Jin Seung-ho and Lee Sang-gyun were specifically recruited for their narrative implementation skills.
- Genre Diversification: New titles are being developed based on concept originality, market competitiveness, and in-house capability.
Narrative as a Core Competency
Neowiz's leadership emphasized that in an era of rising global development costs, technical specs or sheer volume aren't enough to stand out. Instead, they believe user immersion is driven by high-quality writing.
"Narrative is a core competency for Round8 and a key element in driving user immersion," the company stated. They noted that allowing directors to pursue concepts they are personally motivated by is a "rational choice" to increase the likelihood of success, even if it means diversifying their genre lineup.
The original Lies of P was a breakout success, surpassing 3 million copies sold. The expansion, Overture, expanded the world with new bosses, weapons, and locations—even introducing controversial difficulty options to broaden its appeal. As development on the Lies of P sequel ramps up, all eyes will be on whether Round8 can continue to push the boundaries of the soulslike genre through superior storytelling.
