Nexon has recently introduced its forthcoming 3D bishoujo game FAREIDOLIA, formerly known as “Project RX.” Since the title is being crafted by IO Division—the creative force behind Nexon’s blockbuster live-service RPG Blue Archive—fans have been both thrilled and apprehensive about Fareidolia, with some expressing worries that this bold new endeavor might divert resources or overshadow its predecessor.
These apprehensions were recently addressed by the development team in a chat with INVEN. The game’s producer, Min-seo Cha, informed the publication that when Fareidolia was first proposed internally, he pledged to Yong-ha Kim (IO Division’s head and general director of Blue Archive) that Blue Archive’s development squad would remain unaffected. Initially, only a small number of developers transitioned from Blue Archive to Fareidolia, making the new project’s influence “practically negligible,” according to Cha.
In reality, this strategy made the early phases of Fareidolia’s creation quite demanding, as the project began with a lean team and only saw additional developers join after the IP’s core direction was firmly established. With these fresh faces, the team managed to build an organization that mirrors yet differentiates itself from the Blue Archive crew. Yong-ha Kim further stated, “I want to emphasize that Fareidolia’s development will not compromise Blue Archive, and that the Blue Archive team continues to grow.”
Kim and Cha also noted that while Fareidolia draws on the insights IO Division gained from Blue Archive’s development, they set out to forge a completely new intellectual property and a unique game, rather than positioning it as a follow-up.
In Fareidolia, players coexist with girls possessing special abilities, dubbed Mates, in a snug isekai environment. The narrative unfolds in Anima City, a parallel world closely mirroring Earth. Players assume the role of the director of Anima City’s restoration center, doubling as the caretaker of its office building, Tasogare Hall. By living alongside the Mates, players will tackle various issues cropping up in Anima City while nurturing relationships with the girls. The game also incorporates combat, delivered through a hybrid system of real-time and turn-based mechanics.
Although Fareidolia’s launch date remains undisclosed, the game made its debut with an initial playable demo at Tokyo Game Show 2026 (September 17-21) and is slated for release on PC, mobile, and consoles.