Chrono Odyssey has released a new developer Q&A tied to Dev Note #3, and while it doesn't contain any earth-shattering announcements, it does offer several important insights into the game's current direction. The Q&A, hosted on Discord and answered by Sang Tae, Executive Producer of Chrono Odyssey, focuses primarily on lighting, hitboxes, performance, and combat—exactly the areas players raised the most concerns about during the first test.

There's nothing wildly unexpected here, but there are a number of small details that help paint a clearer picture of where development is heading. For players desperately looking for the next big MMO, Chrono Odyssey continues to feel like a project worth watching—cautiously.

Visual Fidelity vs Performance: What Are They Targeting?

One of the most important questions addressed was how cheap Chrono Odyssey Gold is balancing its visual upgrades with performance, and what kind of hardware players should realistically expect to need.

According to the dev team, their baseline performance target is 60+ FPS, using a reference system equipped with:

RTX 2070 Super (8GB VRAM)

16GB RAM

In today's hardware market, that's a fairly expensive baseline, and not exactly reassuring for players on mid-range systems. That said, the developers claim they've already made substantial optimization gains. Some areas that previously ran at around 10 FPS are now reportedly averaging 60 FPS, representing performance improvements of up to 80% in certain cases.

Whether those numbers hold up in future tests remains to be seen, but it's a promising claim—if accurate.

Will the Game Actually Look Like the Trailers?

This is the question every MMO eventually has to answer.

The devs split this into two parts:

Recent dev note footage

Older cinematic-style gameplay trailers

For the dev note clips, the answer is straightforward: yes, those visuals are captured directly in-game using the current lighting and rendering systems.

The more controversial topic is the older trailers—especially scenes featuring dense foliage, dramatic lighting, and cinematic movement, like the now-infamous wheat field sequence. Many players feel those trailers may have oversold what the game could realistically deliver.

The dev team's response is cautiously optimistic. They state that they are continuing to rework the lighting system and rendering detail with the explicit goal of achieving trailer-level visual quality during actual gameplay. They also confirm that the next test will showcase significantly updated lighting and environmental design.

No dates were given, but considering Chrono Odyssey has not charged players for access and the previous test was free, it's reasonable to give them the benefit of the doubt—at least for now.

Support for Lower-End Systems and Performance Modes

For players who don't meet the baseline reference system, the devs confirmed several optimization-focused initiatives:

VRAM and RAM usage reduced by 20% compared to previous builds

Ongoing visual improvements designed to lower CPU and GPU load

Dedicated performance and optimization modes for mid-to-low-tier PCs

This opens the door for smoother gameplay on weaker systems—and potentially devices like the Steam Deck, which could be a major win if supported properly.

Combat Fluidity, Hitboxes, and Frame Pacing

Combat feedback from the first test was mixed, but generally leaned toward “acceptable, but rough.”

The devs clearly recognize this. Combat fluidity is described as a core pillar of immersion, and several changes are already in progress:

Camera angle adjustments for better visibility

Refined monster hit detection aligned more closely with model silhouettes

Reduced friction in controls

Adjusted skill activation times and cancel windows

One particularly interesting note is that the team is prioritizing consistent frame pacing over simply increasing frame rates. The goal is to make combat feel the same across different hardware configurations, rather than favoring high-end PCs exclusively.

If implemented well, this could significantly improve perceived responsiveness.

Lock-On Issues and Camera Obstruction

Players who participated in the beta will remember how problematic lock-on could be. The camera often dropped too low, foliage blocked visibility, and environmental objects completely obscured enemies.

To address this, the devs are:

Increasing camera height while locked on

Adding environment transparency, so objects between the camera and player fade out

Refining lock-on behavior to preserve manual control as a viable option

Importantly, they emphasized that lock-on should provide convenience without undermining manual gameplay, a crucial point for players who prefer full control and don't want to feel disadvantaged.

Spellblade, Customization, and Class Direction

There was also a question about the potential for a spellblade-style playstyle. While the devs acknowledged strong player interest, they confirmed that spellblade is not currently in development.

That said, they emphasized deep skill customization, where the same ability can shift focus—such as counter-based or back-attack-oriented builds—depending on how players spec into it. Spellblade isn't off the table forever, but it's not a near-term priority.

A More Dynamic World: Wind, Weather, and Atmosphere

Some players described the world as feeling static, and the devs responded by outlining upcoming environmental changes:

A dynamic wind system affecting trees and grass

Region-specific weather effects like fog, storms, snow, and strong winds

Future plans for weather to influence gameplay directly

While immersive, these additions raise understandable performance concerns—especially for a game already struggling in that area. The devs insist optimization remains a priority, but this will be something players will need to see firsthand.

Darkness, Fog, and Visual Clarity

Another common complaint was visibility. Chrono Odyssey Gold leans heavily into a dark fantasy aesthetic, but in some cases, it crossed the line into being unplayably dark.

The devs say they are preserving the game's heavy tone while removing elements that interfere with gameplay:

Reduced fog density to improve visibility

Eliminated abrupt exposure shifts

Area-based lighting adjustments

Safe zones will be brighter, while dungeons and points of interest will remain dark to preserve tension—hopefully without making players blind.

Progression: Vertical, Horizontal, or Both?

Progression will follow a hybrid model:

Vertical progression through character and gear levels

Horizontal progression through narrative events, Chronotector systems, and weapon-specific traits

This sounds good on paper, but it's something nearly every MMO claims. The real test will be how progression evolves post-launch—especially whether older gear remains relevant or gets invalidated by updates.

Roadmap Transparency and Future Updates

When asked about disappointing aspects of previous tests, the devs confirmed they are revisiting every system in the game—from animations to core combat mechanics. While no concrete roadmap was shared, they emphasized ongoing iteration and future developer updates.

It's not a detailed plan—but it's also not an unreasonable response at this stage of development.

Costumes, Transmog, and Life Skills

Finally, the devs confirmed:

A character costume (transmog) system is planned for launch, though not guaranteed

Life skills are being refined to improve responsiveness and tactile feedback

This is especially important given how clunky gathering and interaction felt in the beta. Smoother interaction systems would significantly improve the overall experience.

Final Thoughts: Cautious Optimism

This dev Q&A doesn't radically change the outlook for Chrono Odyssey—but it does suggest the team is listening and actively iterating. Performance, combat clarity, and visibility were the biggest pain points from the first test, and all three are clearly being addressed.

Now it comes down to execution.

The next test will be crucial. If the improvements materialize as promised, Chrono Odyssey could still carve out a strong place in the MMO landscape. If not, skepticism will only grow.

For now, we wait—and hope this MMO can deliver on its ambition.