Netmarble Reveals New Details About The "BTS Universe Story" Game

Netmarble has revealed new details about their mysterious new BTS game, BTS Universe Story.

BTS Universe Story is based on the BTS Universe (BU) storyline, which began in 2015 with BTS’s third EP, The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 1, also called Hwayangyeonhwa (HYYH). In the BU, Jin repeatedly travels back in time in the hopes of breaking a vicious cycle and giving his friends a happy ending.

The official concept art teaser, released in August 2019, includes details from several music videos that make up the BTS Universe, as well as references to the Map of the Soul era.

When all our trials seem to be over, despair always awaits us. A new contract and fate shrouded in pitch darkness. Who is to be saved? Where is the Map of the Soul to open the future?

— Narrator, BTS Universe Story concept art teaser

Up until now, fans could only speculate about the game’s gameplay. On August 11, Korean media reported that BTS Universe Story is being produced as a sandbox-type story game. A sandbox, also known as an open-world or free-roaming game, places minimal character limitations on the game.

Unlike progression-style games, which are more limited, sandbox games (like The Sims and Minecraft) let gamers roam freely around the world. In other words, gamers will be able to fully explore the BU.

We’re developing so that the BTS fanbase can enjoy [the game] easily and have fun, so I expect the BTS fan base to respond well.

— Netmarble’s CEO, Kwon Young Sik

BTS Universe Story will be released in the third quarter of 2020 (July to September). If you haven’t seen it yet, check out the art concept teaser here.