Marking its 10th anniversary, Devsisters' 'CookieRun: OvenBreak' (hereafter OvenBreak) is pursuing new transformations centered around mini-games and user-generated content. The strategy aims to lay the foundation for long-term service by preserving the competitive elements of the traditional running game while diversifying entertainment options and expanding user participation.

Yeon Jeong-heum, the Director of OvenBreak, revealed the 10th-anniversary update and future service operation directions during a media roundtable held on the 24th at Seoul Children's Grand Park in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.

◆ Approximately 54.08 Million Cumulative Users over 10 Years… About 100,000 User-Created Maps

Director Yeon opened by expressing gratitude to the users, stating, "We wouldn't have made it this far without the contributions of our users."

According to figures released by Devsisters on this day, OvenBreak recorded approximately 54,084,390 cumulative users and about 415.6 billion KRW in cumulative revenue. User communities have formed across South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, the United States, Japan, and other regions, while the esports tournament 'World Championship' has seen participation from players across 8 cumulative regions.

Director Yeon cited the continuous challenge of introducing new content and user participation as the background for the game's long-term service. Over the past 10 years, the development team has introduced more than 100 new content types designed around distinct core play structures. User-created maps registered in the 'Map Maker' introduced last year have reached approximately 100,000.

◆ New Play Experiences and 10 Years of Records… Supporting the Settlement of New and Returning Users

This 10th-anniversary update is centered around new content, appreciative rewards for existing users, and settlement support for new and returning users. Director Yeon emphasized, "The scale of this update is nearly twice that of the 9th-anniversary update."

The newly introduced content, 'MyCookie,' is a user customization feature following the Map Maker. The title event, 'Sweet Archive World,' enhances the fun of following a storyline while discovering hidden elements. 'Action Mode' involves moving left and right and jumping to battle monsters, representing an attempt to broaden play experiences within the platformer genre.

As commemorative rewards, special 10th-anniversary skins for cookies that appeared in past anniversary updates have been prepared. The new cookies—'Jump Flavor Cookie,' 'Slide Flavor Cookie,' and 'Brave Lord Cookie'—embody the functions of jumping and sliding, along with the game’s iconic character, 'Brave Cookie.'

To support new and returning users, a 'Jumping Event' is being held for the first time in the game to lower the burden of growing an initial cookie (character) to max level. Furthermore, rewards are structured so that existing users do not feel a relative sense of deprivation, while establishing goals for newly joined users to tackle subsequent content even after growing.

◆ 'Vision 2030'… Protecting Running Fun While Building Together

The core of 'Vision 2030,' the long-term operational direction, consists of entertaining content, the expansion of casual user groups, and a user-participatory content ecosystem. The vision is built on the concept of looking toward 2030 in the near term, and looking even further ahead to the 20th and 30th anniversaries.

In terms of content, the running and platformer gameplay styles will be developed more deeply and diversely. At the same time, mini-games will be expanded so that users who may not immediately get used to jump and slide controls can still enjoy other forms of play and receive rewards. Director Yeon stated, "We want to take on challenges as a mini-game platform where users can turn on the game at any time and enjoy anything."

Support for the Map Maker—the foundation of user creation—will also be broadened. Plans include preparing dedicated play content, linking it with existing features like 'Cookie’s Challenge' and 'Custom Run,' and even expanding functionality to allow users to host tournaments directly within the game.

◆ Preserving the Fun of Skill-Based Competition… Focusing on Expanding the User Base Rather Than Revenue Growth

In the subsequent Q&A session, Director Yeon named the identity of the running game and the experience of competing through skill as values that must be protected amidst change. He explained that the game will maintain the sensation where players can fight for victory through their own gameplay once they reach a certain level of growth.

From a business perspective, the current stance prioritizes expanding the user base and the enjoyment of existing users. Director Yeon emphasized that OvenBreak is producing steady results and that the team does not view revenue growth itself as an essential task at this stage, noting, "We are focusing our concerns on how we can continuously expand the user pool and keep current users having even more fun."

Esports was described as a stage that delivers fruit to the efforts and skills accumulated by users. The intent is to allow users who have continued research and unexpected play styles—which even the development team did not anticipate—to be recognized through competition, while showcasing the fun and completion of gameplay even to those who may not know the game well.

Addressing the users, Director Yeon shared, "Even though there weren't only good days, thank you for enjoying the game while running alongside your favorite cookies. We will continue to strive to become an OvenBreak where you feel not just that you are enjoying it, but that you are building it together."

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]