NCSOFT cancels hyped Detroit Become Human-style game “Project M” amidst restructuring and staff reductions 

On October 21, major South Korean video game publisher and developer NCSOFT announced that they will form four new subsidiaries. This corporate split-off will result in project terminations, staff relocations and the establishment of a voluntary retirement program.  

Project M was among the first game cancelations to be announced as a result of this restructuring. A story-driven action-adventure game with QTE events reminiscent of Quantic Dream’s Heavy Rain and Detroit: Become Human, Project M would have been a departure from NCSOFT’s MMO-heavy game catalogue. Development on Project M started around February 2022, with multiple trailers being released. The interactive movie-style game garnered attention for its detailed, realistic graphics, as well as its dramatic, intriguing-sounding story. 

In the reorganization, NCSOFT will form three new game studios and an AI-focused subsidiary. The new game studios will focus on 3 IPs – Studio X will continue development of the free-to-play MMORPG Throne and Liberty, while Studio Y and Studio Z will manage the development of Project LLL (an open-world MMOTPS) and real-time strategy game Tactan, respectively. NCSOFT’s existing AI research division, NC Research, will be formed into a new company, NC AI. In the official press release, NCSOFT stated that this reorganization “aims to maximize creativity and innovation while laying the groundwork for sustainable growth in the global market.”