From a Guardian Who Still Cares: An Open Letter

[felix 유]

To the Director and Development Team,

I decided to edit and reupload my post into the suggestion board in english, hopefully you will receive the same message as my previous post on 25.05.15.

https://cafe.daum.net/GuardianTales/ARz6/607844?svc=cafeapi 

I have been a Guardian since March 2021. My first story clear was with Marina, and I still remember the thrill of conquering Unrecorded World Parts 1 and 2. The difficulty, the storytelling, the satisfaction of seeing my heroes grow—it was the heart of what made Guardian Tales so special. But now, in May 2025, I write to you not in anger, but out of genuine concern and disappointment.

Over the years, I've seen beloved content—World Exploration, Farm, Heavenhold Tower, Expedition—quietly disappear, leaving behind empty spaces with no meaningful replacement. Each new notice—though labeled as a “letter”—feels more like a one-sided decree than genuine communication. A true letter invites dialogue, shows understanding of community concerns, and reflects the voices of players. Consider returning to a tone that feels conversational, empathetic, and responsive—one that values ​​​​feedback with good intentions rather than simply issuing decisions. Since Director Kim Sangwon's departure, something vital has been missing: the balance between innovation for newer players and respect for long-time players. The identity of Guardian Tales is slipping away.

I've happily spent money on Guardian Tales over the years—not a whale, but enough to support the game I believed in. But until I see real, meaningful changes, I won't be buying another Platinum Pass, Ad Skip, or any package in the shop. Not a cent. This is my way of saying: something needs to change. Below are the three biggest areas where I believe Guardian Tales urgently need to get back on track.

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1. The Six-Star “Blooming” System Feels Exhausting, Not Rewarding

The introduction of the blooming system came without demand—and now it adds yet another layer to an already overwhelming grind. The stamina cost to bloom even a single unit is extreme: Evolution Dungeon, Myth Dungeon, and a separate dungeon just to collect 1,000 red shards per weapon. On top of all that, there are over 150 heroes and we are limited to 15 books of blessing a week. Far too much stamina is being wasted on the sweep function.

With every new hero, the burden multiplies. How sustainable is it to expect users to keep upgrading three units at once?

This isn't meaningful progression—it's burnout disguised as content.

Please reconsider the pacing, cost, and structure of this system, before more Guardians give up entirely.

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2. Content Has Lost Its Spark

Season 3 stories are too short. Entire updates that take months to develop can be cleared in just one day. It leaves us asking: is this the best use of the team's time?

Other game modes also feel like diluted versions of what we once loved:

• Dungeon Kingdom Arena is a simplified Raid where one team—Elvira, Toga, Vishuvac, and 6-star Eunha—can dominate every day if the slime is weak to airborne, regardless of elemental attribute. Rewards are also minimal, add in red shards or anything to support growth in the coin exchange.
• Tetis content feels like a diluted, repetitive iteration of Orbital Lift, offering little in the way of excitement or strategic engagement. The narrative depth is noticeably absent—does anyone recall Estelle's or Anna's backstory? While I am aware that 2★ Catherine is from Canada, I couldn't tell you the significance or origins of the heroes introduced through Tetis. They appeared disconnected from both the main storyline and any meaningful side content, leaving them underdeveloped and forgettable.
• Co-op Expedition has lost much of the charm that made the original mode engaging. Ironically, despite being one of the most story-rich features in the game, Expedition has been shut down for over a month with no clear communication about its future. Even small updates—such as adding blooming resources to the shop—would be appreciated. Yet currently, offering just one Sprout Coin for assisting new players feels token at best and fails to recognize the effort involved.
• Boss Rush is a fun game mode, but why is it locked to a two-week cycle? Weekly access would be a simple improvement. Utilize more bosses expedition from the last two areas of mode like the Ice Dragon and the final battle with Clara. 

There is still no core game mode outside of story that lets us truly use the teams we've spent years building. Even Scarecrow—simple as it is—lets us engage meaningfully with our full kits. We need more experiences that reward deep investment, not systems that render it irrelevant.

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3. Art Direction and Hero Identity Feel Neglected

Guardian Tales once shone because every hero had a distinct personality and visual soul. That identity is being lost. The charm and uniqueness of each character used to leap off the screen. Now, heroes feel rushed, inconsistent, or even soulless.

Some six-star illustrations feel especially out of touch:

• Arabelle's grandmother's hood is still missing.
• Agent J mysteriously loses her glasses after blooming. Art feels inconsistent and I could say the same thing about Callie. Nowhere in La Ventura did it mention anything about their appearance changing for 6 star blooming. 
• Gabriel looks unfamiliar and expression‎less, a shadow of her Dungeon Link origins. Here is a good article to consider:   https://cafe.daum.net/GuardianTales/AgPy/25649?svc=cafeapi -Thank you for addressing this 타이밍!
• Kamael, who is literally an elderly sage, now appears oddly youthful. Change the hair to match his original art. 
• Clara was rescued at the end of Expedition, yet her story feels disconnected. Why is her eye missing? There is no explanation since the team has abandoned expedition mode, which has some of the best lore in the whole game. 
• Stella's six-star upgrades in her kit show low effort. Thank you to the Art Team for noticing her marks were missing.
• The decision to introduce Daisy as a 6-star unit over Marina is particularly frustrating and confusing. From both a lore and gameplay perspective, this choice feels like a departure from the core mechanics that once grounded Guardian Tales—especially considering that  a Two-Handed Sword user should not logically be able to wield a shield . Additionally, much of the community has taken notice of Daisy's design, with widespread commentary suggesting it reuses Eunha's facial features. If that is the case, it should be addressed and corrected to maintain artistic integrity and character distinction. I've had enough of the underage units, in fact it is extremely disheartening and reflects a troubling disregard for player trust by those responsible for approving new unit releases. What makes this worse is not just the error itself, but the clear lack of accountability behind it. Those in charge of these decisions ought to be ashamed—not for a single lapse, but for the disregard it shows toward the players and the legacy of the game.

There is AI-generated artwork in Guardian Tales. The signs are undeniable—distorted proportions, unnatural gestures, and inconsistencies in style that no trained artist would overlook. While the studio has publicly claimed that artists are manually editing these illustrations, the telltale flaws remain visible. If you're truly relying on human touch, the final product should reflect the spirit and personality of each character—not look like template-driven figures with vacant expressions and poorly constructed anatomy.

But more importantly, there are growing legal consequences to consider. The Republic of Korea is set to enact the AI ​​Basic Act next January, a law specifically designed to regulate the use of artificial intelligence across multiple industries—including video games. This means that any undisclosed or unregulated use of AI-generated content may fall under legal scrutiny, especially when used in commercial products.

If Kong Studios is indeed using AI to speed up production without full transparency or proper attribution, this is not only ethically questionable but could soon be legally problematic. The integrity of a character-driven game depends on the work of artists who understand the lore, personalities, and emotions of the heroes—not an algorithm. Now is the time to course-correct before this becomes a broader issue. Take responsibility. Clarify your practices. And most importantly, reinvest in artists who treat these characters not as assets to be filled, but as people to be brought to life. Players would rather see care and craft than constant quantity.

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In closing, I say all this not to tear the game down, but because I still care deeply about it. These past five months have felt like a slow unraveling of what made Guardian Tales magical. What once felt like an adventure built with love now feels like a product built on deadlines.

You continue to have a passionate and loyal community—players who are committed to staying, supporting the game, and contributing to its long-term success. I am but one among many who appreciate Guardian Tales and understand that no development team can meet every individual request. However, in recent months, it has increasingly felt as though Kong Studios is prioritizing internal directives over meaningful community engagement. I respectfully ask that you demonstrate to us that this is still Guardian Tales—not Robin Tales. Reaffirm the spirit of the game by listening to the voices of those who have stood by it from the very beginning.

Sincerely,

A Guardian of Canterbury

[당돌한 기사]

안녕하세요.

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감사합니다.

[알파냥]

I can feel the sincerity in your writing. I’m glad that there are many people who care about the game overseas.