NCSOFT & SHIFTUP Announce Major New Titles

NCSOFT Unveils 'AION 2', Targeting Record-Breaking Revenue On May 29, NCSOFT unveiled the first official trailer for AION 2 via a live broadcast. The game is slated for release sometime in 2025. Following the reveal, NCSOFT’s share price surged by 9.18% on June 2, underscoring strong investor confidence. During the company’s Q1 earnings call, Co-CEO Byungmoo Park announced a bold revenue target for AION 2, aiming for over 2 trillion KRW in sales next year, surpassing NCSoft’s entire 2023 annual revenue of 1.8 trillion KRW and marking the company’s largest financial goal to date. As a sequel 17 years in the making, AION 2 is being praised as the “definitive evolution” of the IP. The game features a world 36 times larger than the original, with over 200 character customization options. With eight core classes returning and a shift toward […]

Myoungwon Kim June 4

Highlights

Q1 2025 Korean Mobile Game Publisher Report

1. Supercent Dominates Global Downloads As of March 24, 2025, Supercent has secured the top position among Korean publishers in global downloads, recording an impressive 130 million downloads. Supercent has solidified its position as a leading player in the casual gaming market, consistently achieving strong performance worldwide. Following behind, Mobrix ranked second with approximately 18 million downloads. While casual game giants continue to lead, emerging publishers such as KIGLE and SUD have also entered the TOP 5, drawing industry attention. KIGLE specializes in kid-friendly content, offering games accessible to all age groups. Meanwhile, SUD, a two-person indie studio, has rapidly expanded by continuously releasing its ‘Dal-in’ game series, which means ‘master’. 2. Revenue Performance in the Global Market Despite their dominance in download figures, Korean publishers struggle to generate significant revenue from individual games in global markets. Among the Top […]

Myoungwon Kim March 26

Journal

Spotlight on the Korean Gaming Industry – Part 2

*Source: Daily Consumer Economic News (http://www.dailycnc.com) Following the previous Part 1, which delved into the plans of major Korean game companies KRAFTON, Nexon, and Netmarble, Part 2 continues to explore the evolving strategies and ambitious lineups of NCSoft, SHIFTUP, and Pearl Abyss. Let’s examine how these companies are poised to shape the gaming landscape in 2025. https://www.gamigion.com/spotlight-on-the-korean-gaming-industry-part-1/ NCSoft: Reshaping Its Legacy Amidst Challenges A Year of Financial Losses and Strategic Changes NCSoft, long regarded as a polarizing figure in Korea’s gaming industry, experienced a challenging 2024. Known for its legendary title Lineage, the company faced criticism for its monetization strategies in subsequent games. Despite these challenges, NCSoft has been striving to revamp its identity, with 2024 marking the release of innovative titles like Throne and Liberty, HoYeon, and Battle Crush. The financial impact of these new games, however, was mixed. […]

Myoungwon Kim January 3

Journal

Spotlight on the Korean Gaming Industry – Part 1

*Source: Daily Consumer Economic News (http://www.dailycnc.com) The Korean gaming industry is gearing up for an exciting 2025, with its leading companies preparing ambitious plans to captivate global audiences. This article explores the upcoming strategies and anticipated releases of major players and is divided into two parts. Part 1 highlights the remarkable achievements and game lineups of KRAFTON, Nexon, and Netmarble. KRAFTON: Innovations Backed by Record-Breaking Performance 2024 - A Year of Historic Achievements KRAFTON concluded 2024 with a historic performance. At the recent corporate briefing, the company revealed its Q3 2024 revenue of KRW 719.3 billion and operating profit of KRW 324.4 billion, marking year-on-year growth of 59.7% and 71.4%, respectively—its highest quarterly earnings ever. Cumulative sales for the first three quarters reached KRW 2.092 trillion, with operating profit totaling KRW 967 billion, surpassing the KRW 2 trillion revenue milestone […]

Myoungwon Kim December 23

Journal

CookieRun Meets India, Black Desert Exits China, and More

CookieRun India Launches on December 11 The eagerly awaited game, CookieRun India, is set to officially launch its local services on December 11. This game is developed by DEVSISTERS' Studio Kingdom, a subsidiary focused on content development, with Krafton taking charge of local service and marketing efforts. Based on the original CookieRun, which debuted in 2013, CookieRun India is tailored specifically for the Indian gaming market. Krafton has a proven track record in this region, having achieved significant success with Battlegrounds Mobile India. The collaboration with DEVSISTERS aims to leverage this expertise in crafting a unique gaming experience tailored for Indian audiences. DEVSISTERS emphasizes that CookieRun India will introduce greater character depth, collection and growth mechanics, and social competition elements, surpassing the existing casual games in the market. The game will also feature locally inspired content, including original cookies, maps, […]

Myoungwon Kim December 3

Journal

Google and Korean Game Giants in Hot Water Over Alleged Collusion

Allegations of Google and Korean Game Companies’ Collusion Spark Controversy Domestic game companies have come under scrutiny following allegations that they unfairly received benefits, such as profit-sharing and marketing campaign support, in exchange for releasing their game apps exclusively on Google Play Store. The Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice (CCEJ) accused Netmarble, NCSoft, Com2uS, and Pearl Abyss of collaborating with Google to monopolize the app market. These companies have denied the allegations, stating that they have neither received rebates nor engaged in illegal activities. At a press conference on October 21, the CCEJ, alongside the Korea Game User Association and the Korea Game Consumer Association, claimed that Google Korea, Google Asia Pacific, and the four game companies unfairly acquired approximately 685 billion won in profits through rebate programs, manipulated app exposure in advertisements, and supported Lifetime Value (LTV) creation programs. […]

Myoungwon Kim November 22

Journal

G-STAR 2024 Preview

As we gear up for G-STAR 2024, the largest gaming exhibition in Korea, excitement is building around the major game developers who are unveiling their highly anticipated titles. This year’s G-STAR, set to take place from November 14 to 17 at the BEXCO Convention Center in Busan, promises to be the biggest yet, with 3,281 booths—101% larger than last year. With global gaming powerhouses like Nexon, Netmarble, and Krafton showcasing their latest innovations, here’s a sneak peek at what to expect. Nexon Leads with Massive Presence Nexon, the event’s main sponsor, is expected to draw significant attention with its lineup, though details remain under wraps until the upcoming “Nexon Media Day” on October 30. Speculation is rife that titles like First Berserker: Kazan, which was teased at Gamescom and Tokyo Game Show, will headline the booth. With 300 booths dedicated to their […]

Myoungwon Kim October 23

Journal

Subculture Games in Korea: Successes, Failures, and Future Outlook

Subculture games are titles that target a niche audience or a specific fandom rather than aiming for a broad, mainstream market. These games attract a devoted fanbase that tends to deeply immerse themselves in the game’s characters and world. This immersion often results in a unique spending pattern, where players are willing to invest significantly in the game to enhance their experience. The genre itself often draws inspiration from Japanese anime, manga, and game culture, making it particularly appealing to younger generations. Recently, this genre has rapidly grown in Korea’s mobile game market and has also garnered attention in the global gaming scene. SHIFTUP and Nexon’s Bright Future Among Korean game companies, SHIFTUP and Nexon have notably succeeded in the subculture genre. SHIFTUP’s Goddess of Victory: NIKKE has achieved global success, captivating players worldwide with stunning graphics and compelling storytelling. […]

Myoungwon Kim September 26

Journal

Korean Indie Games: Pioneering Global Success

Korean indie games are making waves in the global gaming industry. In recent years, several Korean indie titles have gained recognition and acclaim across the world. Let’s explore some of the standout ones. The Devil Within: Satgat Developed by Newcore Games, The Devil Within: Satgat blends traditional Korean culture with a post-apocalyptic narrative, creating a unique and immersive gaming experience. Set in a fictional Joseon era, the game tells the story of ‘Kim Rip’, a loyal bodyguard betrayed by his comrades and driven by a desire to restore justice in a world overrun by demons. The game draws heavily on Korean historical themes while incorporating dark fantasy elements. The title Satgat refers to a traditional Korean hat worn to protect against rain, snow, or sunlight, adding a cultural layer to the game’s aesthetic. The Devil Within: Satgat has received numerous […]

Myoungwon Kim September 12

Journal

New Korean Game Releases in Late 2024

As we enter the second half of 2024, the Korean gaming industry is gearing up for significant changes, with several highly anticipated titles set for release. This period is crucial for developers as they aim to build on the successes of the first half of the year while strengthening their business strategies through new game launches. These new titles will span multiple platforms, including mobile, PC, and consoles, as companies push to expand their global presence. Many of these games leverage popular IPs or bring fresh innovations to the market, offering players diverse experiences. Nexon: Mobile Adaptations of Popular IPs and New Genre Challenges Nexon is preparing to launch several highly anticipated games in late 2024. Among these is Mabinogi Mobile, a mobile adaptation of the beloved Mabinogi IP, which originally debuted as a PC MMORPG in 2004. Known for […]

Myoungwon Kim September 5

Journal

The Buzz Around Pearl Abyss’s Upcoming Game ‘DokeV’

Pearl Abyss's DokeV, an open-world action-adventure game, gained widespread attention after its 2021 Gamescom trailer. As Crimson Desert nears completion, Pearl Abyss plans to focus on DokeV development, with more updates expected soon.

Myoungwon Kim August 14

Journal

Top 10 Downloaded Korean Mobile Game Developers in 2024: Part 2

https://www.gamigion.com/top-10-downloaded-korean-mobile-game-developers-in-2024-part-1/ 6. CookApps CookApps specializes in casual and puzzle games. They are known for their creative and engaging game designs that attract a wide range of players globally. On April 28th, the Korean app market One Store announced CookApps' Self-Service Knight : idle RPG as the top beta game. The game combines the chest root genre and idle RPG, offering players the experience of crafting weapons, gathering allies, and clearing various dungeons. It also features a unique gear crafting and free draw system. 7. Button E&M Button E&M is an Android developer that has been active since 2016 and has only one mobile game Anger of stick 5 : zombie in Google Play. It is highly ranked in several countries, and is also one of the most popular apps in the Android ecosystem with more than 100 million installs. 8. […]

Myoungwon Kim August 7

Myoungwon Kim

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