Project Windless creative director says the developers chose a 9-foot warlike rooster goliath as their protagonist because literally 'every candidate' interviewed to work on the game wanted to play as one: 'All of them—and we were like, OK'
PC Gamer
by Lincoln Carpenter February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Sony's Project Windless, an open-world action RPG set in the world of *The Bird That Drinks Tears* by Korean author Lee Youngdo, has chosen a unique protagonist: a nine-foot warlike rooster man known as the Hero King. In an interview with PC Gamer, Patrik Méthé, creative director at Krafton Montreal, revealed that the decision to make the Hero King the main character was influenced by the overwhelming enthusiasm of potential team members during interviews. Almost every candidate expressed excitement about playing as a rekon—a race of avian giants—leading the developers to finalize this choice.
The game is set in a richly detailed fantasy world inspired by Korean folklore, featuring four distinct races: humans, mischievous tokkebi who manipulate fire, reptilian nhaga that remove their hearts for immortality, and the nomadic rekon. The Hero King, as a mythical figure with an ambiguous past, allows the game to explore its own lore while staying true to the source material. Méthé explained that this choice provides flexibility, avoiding the risk of closely emulating the novels.
The rekon's unique design and abilities also make them an ideal protagonist for an open-world RPG. Standing at nine feet tall and weighing 600 pounds, the Hero King is not only visually striking but also possesses immense strength and speed, enabling him to take on large groups of enemies. This design choice highlights the game's commitment to innovation, aiming to stand out in a crowded genre by offering a protagonist unlike any other.
For gamers, Project Windless represents a fresh take on fantasy RPGs, blending Korean mythology with modern gaming mechanics. The decision to center the story around the Hero King, driven by both creative vision and player enthusiasm, underscores the potential for originality in game development. As the first major Western exposure to *The Bird That Drinks Tears*, the game could also introduce a new wave of interest in Korean fantasy literature and its cultural influences.
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Originally published on PC Gamer on 2/26/2026