Korean game publishers are set to unleash a wave of new titles this year, intensifying competition after mixed results in 2024 that hinged on new release performance. Major publishers that improved earnings will pursue portfolio diversification, while mid-tier companies aim to stage comebacks with blockbuster releases.
Combined revenue of Korea's four largest game companies—Nexon, Krafton, Netmarble, and NCSoft—exceeded 10 trillion won ($7.1 billion) for the first time last year, according to industry data released on the 18th. Nexon led with revenue exceeding 4 trillion won for the second consecutive year, while Krafton and Netmarble posted record results. NCSoft returned to profitability after a prolonged slump.
Strong new releases drove the results. Nexon followed its hit "Mabinogi Mobile" with "ArkRaiders," which sold 14 million copies. Krafton's "inZOI" and "Mimesis" each sold over 1 million copies. Netmarble's "Seven Knights Reverse" topped the company's portfolio in the second half. "Aion 2," launched in November, lifted NCSoft out of losses.
Major publishers plan to sustain momentum through genre and platform diversification. Netmarble will release eight new titles this year, starting with "The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin" next month, followed by "Solo Leveling: Karda" and "Shangri-La Frontier: Seven Supreme Species"—all based on popular anime franchises targeting global PC and console markets.
NCSoft will roll out "Time Takers," "Limit Zero Breakers," and "Syn City" globally this year, spanning hero shooters, subculture action RPGs, and shooting games to spread risk across genres.
Nexon will begin alpha testing "Nakwon: Paradise," set in a post-apocalyptic Seoul, next month to capitalize on global interest in Korean content. Krafton launched early access for "PUBG: Blindspot" this month, with full release expected this year, and recently unveiled a trailer for "Project Windless," based on the novel "The Bird That Drinks Tears." The company is also pursuing acquisitions to secure major franchise IPs.
Mid-tier publishers that struggled with release gaps last year are betting on AAA titles. Pearl Abyss's "Crimson Desert," first revealed at G-Star 2019 after seven years of development, is the year's most anticipated release.
Com2uS, mired in a prolonged slump, will launch "Inferno: Crimson Inferno" and "Project ES" this year, establishing a dedicated task force for development, marketing, and operations. NHN will release collection RPG "Abyssdia" this month. Kakao Games, which had no new releases last year, is preparing open-world zombie survival simulation "God Save Birmingham."
"Development delays during COVID created uneven results depending on new releases," an industry official said. "Titles long in preparation will launch this year, making competition fiercer than ever."