Lies of P Developer Rebrands to Nough and Sets Ambitious Goals for Action Sequel

When South Korean developer Round8 Studio released Lies of P in late 2023, the dark fantasy action RPG surprised critics and players alike by delivering one of the most polished and mechanically rigorous Soulslike experiences outside of FromSoftware. Now, as the development team works on its highly anticipated follow-up, the studio has revealed a new identity: Nough. Alongside this rebrand, the team released a 16-minute behind-the-scenes documentary exploring its creative culture, internal testing mechanics, and intense ambitions for the future of the franchise.

Quick summary

• Round8 Studio, the Neowiz subsidiary behind Lies of P, has officially rebranded as Nough—a name derived from the phrase "Not Enough."
• A new 16-minute studio documentary offers a rare glimpse into the developer's creative process and highlights the team's ambition to create "the world's greatest action game."
• The documentary details Nough's internal "Game Day" practice, a studio-wide playtesting session that previously reshaped difficulty options, story direction, and major mechanics during the development of Lies of P.

From Round8 to Nough: A Philosophy of Continuous Improvement

The transition from Round8 to Nough represents more than just a surface-level studio rebrand. Derived as a creative portmanteau of the phrase "Not Enough," the name reflects an internal mindset centered on perfectionism and perpetual refinement. Operating as a specialized development unit under publisher Neowiz, Nough aims to cement its standing among elite global action game developers.

While the exact corporate restructuring details between Neowiz, Round8, and Nough remain somewhat fluid, the core creative team behind Lies of P remains firmly intact. The newly released documentary emphasizes that the rebrand signifies an elevated standard of quality rather than a change in direction, serving as a public declaration of the team's commitment to pushing technical and mechanical boundaries in their upcoming projects.

Inside 'Game Day': How Playtesting Drives Design

One of the most notable revelations in the new mini-documentary is Nough's structured approach to internal evaluation, known within the studio as "Game Day." Periodically, regular development tasks are entirely paused across the studio. Every team member—regardless of their primary role or department—spends the day playing through the current build of the game before submitting detailed diagnostic feedback via comprehensive surveys.

This hands-on, democratic review process directly shaped the final release of Lies of P. According to the documentary, feedback gathered during these studio-wide sessions prompted significant adjustments to narrative pacing in early content like Overture, forced the restructuring of key mechanical systems, and ultimately led to the implementation of revised difficulty and balancing options designed to respect player agency without compromising challenge.

Elevating the Standard for the Lies of P Sequel

Although concrete narrative and gameplay details regarding the full Lies of P sequel remain tightly guarded, key leads at Nough were explicit regarding their ultimate goals. Combat director Lee Jeonghyeon expressed a clear target for the team's next chapter, stating, "From the very start, my goal has been to create the world's greatest action game. And we're getting there, one step at a time."

Overall director Choi Jiwon reinforced this sentiment, stressing the importance of passion and authenticity in modern game design. Choi noted that players possess an intuitive ability to recognize genuine craftsmanship, stating, "As a gamer myself, I know they can tell when a game has been made with real dedication." This player-centric focus continues to guide Nough as the sequel enters full-scale production.

Why it matters

The rebranding of Nough and its transparent public messaging reflect a broader shift in the global games industry. South Korean developers have increasingly established a major presence in high-budget, single-player console and PC games—a segment historically dominated by Japanese and Western studios. The critical and commercial success of Lies of P demonstrated that non-traditional action studios can compete at the highest level of combat design.

For players, Nough's commitment to rigorous internal testing via "Game Day" offers reassurance that the upcoming sequel will maintain the mechanical precision required of elite action titles. As development costs rise industry-wide, studios that combine disciplined iteration with clear design philosophies are better positioned to deliver reliable, high-value experiences to discerning audiences.

Background

Prior to the launch of Lies of P, Round8 Studio was primarily known for supporting online multiplayer titles under publisher Neowiz. The decision to undertake a ambitious, dark reimagining of Carlo Collodi's 1883 novel The Adventures of Pinocchio as a challenging Soulslike action RPG was seen as a bold strategic departure.

Upon its release in September 2023, Lies of P garnered widespread acclaim for its distinctive Belle Époque aesthetic, deep weapon assembly mechanics, and tight combat balance. Subsequent post-launch support and expansion development further solidified the title's reputation, proving that the team could iterate rapidly based on player feedback and set the foundation for a long-term franchise.

Qnews24h insight

Nough's public declaration of aiming for "the world's greatest action game" is a audacious marketing stance, but it is grounded in a proven development track record. The transition from a subsidiary label to a self-aware brand identity like Nough indicates that Neowiz is doubling down on core single-player action intellectual properties.

However, maintaining the balance between high-level creative vision and rigorous, survey-driven internal testing will be the studio's primary challenge moving forward. While playtest feedback prevents major design flaws, over-reliance on consensus can sometimes smooth over the distinctive mechanical edges that make action games memorable. If Nough can preserve its sharp creative identity while refining its systems through its "Game Day" philosophy, the upcoming sequel stands a strong chance of establishing the studio as a premier name in hardcore action RPGs.

Sources

• PC Gamer: Lies of P studio reveals name change and hypes up sequel
• Nough Official Documentary Release (16-minute studio feature)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the new name of the Lies of P development studio?

The studio formerly known as Round8 Studio, operating under publisher Neowiz, has rebranded to Nough, derived from the phrase "Not Enough."

Has a release date or formal title been announced for the Lies of P sequel?

No formal release date, official title, or gameplay footage has been publicly revealed yet, though Nough has confirmed that the sequel is in full production.

What is Nough's 'Game Day' initiative?

Game Day is an internal development practice at Nough where the entire studio pauses normal work to play the current build of their game and submit feedback via surveys, helping guide balance, narrative, and mechanical polish.