MMORPG players are familiar with the term "boss patterns." In most games, bosses follow a set formula—using specific abilities after changing stances or making gestures. This predictability often forces players to rely on better gear and refined skills.

But what if a boss learned from players and acted unpredictably? While unsettling, it sounds undeniably exciting. At CES 2025, the world’s largest IT and consumer electronics show in Las Vegas, NVIDIA showcased its cutting-edge AI technology “NVIDIA ACE”, which enables NPCs to learn and think independently. Inside NVIDIA’s exhibition hall, we met Wemade Next CEO Jeong-soo Park (“Park”) to learn more about their upcoming game, MIR5, which leverages this technology to deliver groundbreaking in-game features. This includes the world’s first AI Boss built with NVIDIA ACE.

Park stated, “MIR5 is an open-world PC MMORPG based on the MIR IP, exploring the story of traveling into another world using a time-machine-like concept. It has three major distinguishing elements compared to its predecessor.” He then explained these as the enhancement of combat power, economic benefits through production, and growth through exploration.

Park added that the game adopts an open-world system, allowing players to gather raw materials from the field and craft items through production content. This system was designed to ensure that players with slower combat power progression are still respected within the game. Additionally, he mentioned efforts to create mechanisms that diffuse excessive competition directly tied to combat, promoting healthy rivalry and sportsmanship. He highlighted the significance of contributions from production and exploration activities alongside combat power.

MIR5 will also feature the "Fateful Encounter" system, an adventure-style content where players solve mysteries through clues found in hidden locations or encounters with unique characters, leading to character growth. He added that meeting certain conditions could unlock hidden stages, providing additional motivation for exploration.

Players can trade items they no longer need with others who may find them essential, thanks to an available trading system. Park described this system as “a solution for players who cannot dedicate much time to the game, enabling them to trade and progress more efficiently”.

Park mentioned the character combat system, which differs from its predecessor. Unlike previous games from the MIR series, which categorized characters into roles like tank, dealer, and healer, MIR5 does not feature fixed classes. Instead, the core of the combat system lies in switching between multiple characters during gameplay. Additionally, a unique attribute system has been introduced, incorporating advantageous matchups based on regions, fields, and monsters.

He also highlighted a redefined character growth system. In addition to individual character levels, account-level progression will now play a key role. If one area of progression is lacking, it will hinder advancement in others, encouraging players to participate in a variety of activities. This dual progression system encourages diverse activities while avoiding repetitiveness, offering players a unique growth experience.

Park added “MIR5 will first launch domestically, with a swift global rollout planned”. He briefly explained the in-game economy, noting that while the Korean version will use an exclusive in-game currency, the global version will adopt a blockchain-based tokenomics system.

Coins in the global version will have a production rate dynamically linked to the number of active users. These in-game blockchain tokens will function as essential, consumable resources in the in-game economy, ensuring balance and value, while leveraging the benefits of decentralized technology.

Finally, Park touched on the AI boss, Asterion, built with NVIDIA ACE technology. He stated, "Even I’m scared at this point." He explained that the AI grows smarter with every interaction. "For instance, get ready for the classic bait-and-switch, where the boss might strike a fire-breathing pose, only to follow it up with a completely different move".

MIR5 is scheduled for release in 2025, with its Korean debut preceding the global launch.