Vietnam’s CGI game cinematics industry is still reasonably young, but Rare Reversee has already carved out a reputation as one of its most reliable and creative players. Founded in 2019 by veteran CGI artist Le Doan Dang Khoa, the studio now operates from Ho Chi Minh City. Rare Reversee hosts a 40+ person team specializing in end-to-end CGI production.
Their services span games, commercials, and animation. Soon, their portfolio will include own originally developed horror game, The Scourge, which is set to release later this year / early 2026!
More Than an Outsourcing Vendor
Rare Reversee relationships with their clients are built on partnerships rather than one-off transactions. That means that, whilst they will promise to deliver quality services on time, they are also looking for long-term collaboration. Khoa, who has over a decade of experience in Vietnam’s commercial and game CGI sectors, founded the studio wanting to:
- Produce world-class CGI for game cinematics
- Mentor the next generation of Vietnamese CG artists
The name “Rare Reversee” comes from the combination of “Rare” and “Reversee” in Vietnamese, meaning “hướng nghiệp” or career guidance. The long-term strategy and vision is to both create world-class CGI or stunning visuals, and grow the Vietnamese industry.
A Studio with a Purpose
Khoa began as a CG artist in Vietnam’s early outsourcing scene before moving into commercial agency work, where he noticed a gap: Vietnam wasn’t producing high-quality game cinematics, and the commercial CGI and gaming sectors were only just beginning to overlap.
Determined to raise the standard, he founded Rare Reversee with a clear vision: AAA-quality cinematics built by Vietnamese talent, for global studios.
Their original IP, The Scourge, is the studio’s most ambitious project to date—six years in development and three years in production. “It was a big risk,” Khoa admits. “In Vietnam, if a game fails, it disappears without a trace.” But the gamble has paid off.
“With core values centered on transparency, collaboration, and adaptability, we continue to push boundaries, driving Rare Reversee towards global expansion and technological advancements in CGI and game development.”
The Scourge: Horror and Vietnamese Folklore
Released in Early Access on October 23, 2024, The Scourge is a first-person horror puzzle RPG set in 1990s Saigon, inspired by Vietnamese urban legends and folklore. Players navigate family secrets, guilt, and moral choices, with multiple endings and a heavy cinematic focus.
The game currently holds a 92% positive review score overall and 78% positive in recent weeks, with Rare Reversee using Early Access to fine-tune pacing, puzzles, and atmosphere with community feedback. The full release is expected either at the end of this year, or early 2026.
Khoa sees the game as a cultural statement: “Through CGI and gaming, we can export Vietnamese culture to the world,” he told Tatler Asia.
Full-Service CGI for Game Cinematics
Rare Reversee positions itself as a full-service CGI studio, handling projects from concept to final render. Services include:
- Concept art, storyboarding & art direction
- 3D modeling, rigging & texturing
- Animation, lighting & VFX
- Final render, sound design & color grading
Pricing is calculated by man-days based on length, complexity, and deadline. Making it competitive for both indie and large-scale productions.
The studio fills a critical gap for developers producing skins, stylized cutscenes, or cinematic trailers, helping them shape story, plan visuals, and set realistic budgets before production begins.
A Proven Track Record
Rare Reversee has produced stylized game cinematics for major international clients, including:
- Garena: Arena of Valor campaigns (AOV Day, World Cup 2021, “Dawning Fire,” “Dreamland of Sumeru”)
- Tencent / Free Fire: Blue Flame Draco & Bermuda cinematics
Commercial clients include Oppo, ECDA Singapore, Minto, OMO Matic, and the virtual idol EM.
“We approach every project as a partnership, not a transaction,” says Khoa. “We listen carefully, respect deadlines, and add our creative touch without losing sight of the client’s vision.”
Market Position & Challenges
At around 46 staff, Rare Reversee is considered small for a CGI studio but highly specialized. Its biggest challenge is building international trust in Vietnam’s still-developing CGI-for-games industry.
“The quality is there,” Khoa says, “but foreign clients need to believe in what we can do.”
With proven technical delivery, the studio is now focused on visibility and global partnerships, aiming to become one of Southeast Asia’s top game cinematic production partners.
Looking Ahead
Rare Reversee’s mission for the future remains:
- Bring The Scourge to a global audience
- Deliver world-class CGI for global partners
- Mentor Vietnam’s next generation of CG artists
- Export Vietnamese culture through gaming and CGI
The team are at an incredibly exciting milestone in their six year journey. After so long spent developing their IP The Scourge, they have clearly poured the heart and soul of Vietnam into it as a project. Not only will this demonstrate Rare Reversee’s capacity as developers, but also acts as a case study for their outsourcing services. The team are right at the precipice of becoming a global name and we really hope that soon, they will get there!
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