Interview with Paha Schulz
At Paris Games Week 2025, somewhere between high-level cosplayers and a lively army of demo stations ready to heat up, we met with Paha Schulz at NCsoft to talk about the upcoming Limit Zero Breakers. The charm offensive was clearly in full swing to win over the French audience. So consider yourselves warned: Paha Schulz is not a developer, but Head of European Business – and you can tell. Don't expect behind-the-scenes secrets or juicy anecdotes here, but rather a broader perspective focused on vision and player experience. The essentials are there, though: he's genuinely friendly, the tone is relaxed, and most importantly, he makes you want to take a closer look at a well-crafted game that could very well hit the mark with its target audience.
"It's an anime-inspired action RPG focused on intense boss raids."
If you had to pitch the game in one sentence?
Paha SchulzLimit Zero Breakers is an anime-inspired action RPG focused on intense boss raids.
Where did the idea come from and how has it evolved?
Paha SchulzThe development team has been working on anime-inspired games for a long time. With this project, they really wanted to push their passion for monster hunting even further and boss raid gameplay. That vision gradually evolved into what Limit Zero Breakers is today, and the game is still in active development.
"The idea is to encourage smart play, strategic thinking and dynamic combat."
How did the team come together for this project?
Paha SchulzIt's a dedicated development team that has already worked together on several projects. They all share a strong interest in animation and anime-style games. This time, they wanted to create an original IP with a completely new universe, original monsters and a unique fantasy setting. The goal was to bring an authentic anime world to life with fresh ideas.
The game mixes anime adventure with fast, technical action. How did you find the right balance?
Paha SchulzFinding that balance is still an ongoing process, but team building is at the core of the experience. Players collect characters, each with different abilities and elemental powers, which allows for many combinations in combat. Creating interesting synergies between characters is essential, especially to face very difficult bosses. The idea is to encourage smart play, strategic thinking and dynamic combat through these combinations.
"There were some regional legal issues with the previous name."
You recently changed the title from Breakers: Unlock the World to Limit Zero Breakers. Why?
Paha SchulzThere were some regional legal issues with the previous name, but we also took this opportunity to better express what we want players to feel. "Breakers" represents the characters players collect, and through them they can trigger powerful break modes and elemental reactions in combat. The new title reflects this identity more clearly.
How do these systems work in gameplay?
Paha SchulzAs you play, you naturally become more familiar with the combat systems and combos. Dodging, timing your actions and choosing the right moments to unleash abilities are key. By building up the breaker meter, players can trigger devastating attacks that can really turn the tide of a battle against bosses or powerful monsters.
"The game is fully playable solo from start to finish."
The game focuses on three-player raids. Can it also be enjoyed solo?
Paha SchulzAbsolutely. The game is fully playable solo from start to finish. However, it is more challenging. In co-op, different players can combine their abilities more easily, which makes encounters more strategic. Solo players can still select three characters and switch between them to create similar effects, but it requires more skill and precision. At its heart, the game is designed for co-op, but we never want to take away the option for players who prefer to play alone.
The world of Seraphia feels very rich. What inspired the setting and story?
Paha SchulzWe collaborate a lot with strong partners. In Japan, Kadokawa supports us as a promotional and distribution partner, and MAPPA Studio is working on our promotional videos and in-game cutscenes. These studios have immense experience building memorable IPs. We constantly exchange ideas with them about story, characters and world-building. Of course, everything is still created by our own development team, but this collaboration helps us bring more depth, authenticity and richness to the universe of Limit Zero Breakers.
"It was very important for us that the game doesn't feel like a mobile game on PC."
The game is coming to PC and mobile with cross-play. How did you make sure it feels good on both platforms?
Paha SchulzIt was very important for us that the game doesn't feel like a mobile game on PC or a PC game on mobile. Each version has to feel native. That's why we test constantly on both platforms, making sure controls and gameplay feel right whether you play on mobile or PC – even in cross-play situations with mixed players.
Is there a gameplay moment you're especially proud of?
Paha SchulzI'm not a developer myself, but as a player, what really stands out to me are the breaker moments. Whether in story or pure gameplay, those moments feel very special. We put a lot of effort into making sure each character has unique highlights, so the experience always feels fresh and never repetitive.
"Electricity feels like one of the strongest elements you could have."
Do you have a favorite character?
Paha SchulzI have several, but one of my favorites is Baal. She's a strong female character with a big personality. She loves wine, has a bit of a pirate vibe, gambles a lot, and even struggles with alcohol – which makes her very interesting and human. I'm really looking forward to seeing her brought to life by cosplayers at our events.
When the game launches, what three or four words should define it for players?
Paha SchulzMonster hunting is definitely key, with huge and challenging boss raids. Then there are the characters—both in terms of their anime appeal and how they combine in gameplay. Finally, for players who love PvE and co-op, the three-player boss fights will really define the experience.
Last question: if you were a real Breaker, which element would you choose?
Paha SchulzI'd choose electricity. It's powerful, unpredictable and a bit dangerous – just like today, when we had some electrical issues at the booth. But jokes aside, electricity feels like one of the strongest elements you could have.
