For years, the name Chung Leo was tied to some of the most commercially successful, and infamously high-monetization, titles in China’s online gaming history. As the former producer of ZT Online at Giant Interactive, his expertise in creating top-grossing games was well established.
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But at Singapore Comic Con 2025, his newest project took everyone by surprise: a warm, female-first cozy farming and divination game called Spirit Realm, now live on Kickstarter and already featured in the platform’s Witchstarter collection.
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So how did a team known for hardcore economy-driven games pivot to something this gentle, soulful, and distinctly modern? The answer lies in a multi-year journey of reinvention.
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A Game Born From Reinvention and Cutting-Edge AI
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After achieving massive commercial success, Leo chose to step back from the high-pressure world of monetization design. He relocated to Singapore and Malaysia, studying design, culture, and the latest advancements in AI. During that time, he began exploring a new kind of game experience: one shaped by spirituality, myth, and emotional wellbeing rather than competition and spending.
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In June 2025, Leo reunited with three veteran developers from Shanghai to participate in the SuperAI Next Hackathon in Singapore. Their goal: build an AI-driven turn-based gameplay engine he had long envisioned.
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The result? A global Top 20 finish and a fully functioning AI engine capable of weaving dynamic interactions, personalities, and narrative flow.
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Spirit Realm is the first title built on this award-winning engine.
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But rather than rushing into full production, the team spent time developing a deep world built around oracles, runes, and ancestral legends. Every bit of lore was crafted carefully and then encoded directly into the AI system, allowing the game world to “think,” “respond,” and “guide” players like a spiritual companion.
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Why Spirit Realm Is Designed to Be Fun and Emotionally Healing
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At its core, Spirit Realm is designed for modern women (and anyone who needs a moment of peace). Against the fast-paced backdrop of Southeast and East Asian urban life, the team noticed a growing desire for gentleness: self-care, slow living, and the freedom to simply be oneself.
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The gameplay reflects this shift:
- Rune Divination: Draw guidance from 24 beautifully illustrated Spirit Realm Runes, each representing an oracle from the world’s mythology.
- Cozy Farming: Escape into pastoral routines like planting, harvesting, crafting, and watching your garden grow at your pace.
- Guardian Companions: Meet gentle, attentive spirit guardians who are designed to listen, understand, and accompany you emotionally.
- Exploration: Wander into a mysterious otherworld filled with soft rituals, ancient secrets, and a sense of calm discovery.
The result is a game that isn’t just fun: it’s soothing. A space for players to breathe, slow down, and reconnect with themselves.
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Kickstarter: Bringing the World of Spirit Realm to Life
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To test how well this oracle-and-legend world resonates with Gen Z players, the team has launched a beautifully curated Kickstarter bundle:
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24 Spirit Realm Runes + Lore Chronicle + Visual Novel Game
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This includes:
- 24 original rune divination cards
- A rich art-and-lore chronicle book with worldbuilding illustrations
- Early access to the Spirit Realm visual novel game experience
It’s a perfect entry point into the Spirit Realm universe, and the first chance to support a game that blends AI, mythology, and cozy gameplay in a refreshing new way.
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Support the Journey on Kickstarter
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Spirit Realm isn’t just another indie game. It’s a thoughtful experiment in blending AI, culture, and emotional wellness, crafted by a veteran team reinventing their legacy.
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If you’re into cozy games, mythology, tarot/rune culture, or simply love supporting unique creative projects, now is the perfect time to jump in.
Support Spirit Realm on Kickstarter today: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/spiritrealm/echoes-of-the-spirit-realm-a-rune-journey
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Follow development updates on X: https://x.com/RealmSpiri66337
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Disclaimer: This is an advertorial article sponsored by MJ TECHNOLOGY PTE. LTD.
