Ex-StarCraft player becomes game startup CEO

By Jun Ji-hye

Lee Yun-yeol, better known as NaDa and nicknamed the "Genius Terran," is one of the most famous StarCraft players of all time with the support of millions of fans around the world.

Lee Yun-yeol, CEO of NaDa Digital / Courtesy of NaDa Digital
After enjoying his time in the spotlight as a professional gamer, he became a game developer with game company NGEL Games in 2017 where he participated in the development of "Project RTD: Random Tower Defense."

In April this year, he set up his own firm, NaDa Digital, starting a new career as CEO of a game startup.

"I did most of the work to set up the company on my own to save money. Everything was difficult as it was my first time actually doing paperwork," he said.

Lee said he decided to establish his own company as he wanted to oversee all the procedures to develop a new game.

"I learned a lot when working as a game developer. At the time, I realized that the intention and direction of the development can be changed if I am not a producer that takes responsibility for the entire process," he said. "In addition, the timing of the launch of the new game was postponed in accordance with the company's schedule at the time. So, I decided to become a CEO."

NaDa Digital is making its debut with the new mobile game "Mafia 3D," Lee said, noting that the pre-order of the game on Google Play Store and Apple App Store began Wednesday and will continue until next Monday.

The game calls on eight to 10 people to guess who among them is a mobster. Users can play various roles, including mobster, police officer, doctor and citizen.

"I feel great responsibility as my company was named after my game ID NaDa," Lee said. "Anyone can play Mafia 3D. I hope users will enjoy the game."


Jun Ji-hye jjh@koreatimes.co.kr

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