NCSoft to tear loose from Lineage: CEO
BUSAN -- NCSoft CEO Kim Taek-jin declared the company's strategic shift from its traditional roots in Lineage, its series of massively multiplayer online role-playing games -- or MMORPGs -- to diverse gaming genres, responding to a downturn in earnings and a shift in gamer preferences.
The CEO made this announcement during an unexpected appearance at the company's booth at G-Star 2023 gaming expo held last week in Busan.
"Our objective is to delve into a multitude of gaming genres that resonate with all kinds of trends in the global gaming industry. Expect to see NCSoft will broaden its horizons in the coming years,” Kim said.
NCSoft's recent financial report pointed to challenges, with a decline in third quarter 2023 earnings. The company reported a decrease in consolidated revenue and a significant drop in operating and net income, primarily due to the waning interest in its mobile Lineage series.
Marking its return after an eight-year absence from G-Star, NCSoft unveiled a slew of new titles, stepping away from its predominantly mobile gaming focus, which has historically generated over half of its revenue.
The new game lineup from NCSoft included a diverse array of genres for different tastes. "LLL" is a looter shooter, blending the excitement of action shooting with elements of role-playing. "Project G" is the company’s first real-time strategy game, where planning and tactics are crucial. "Puzzup Amitoi" caters to puzzle enthusiasts, while "Battle Crush" is an action-packed brawler game, emphasizing combat skills. "BSS" is a collectible role-playing game, inviting players to build and enhance a team of characters.
But there is not a complete exit from NCSoft's bread-and-butter format. A standout release is "Throne and Liberty," an MMORPG for PC and console, set for a Dec. 7 release. The game promises to differentiate with dynamic environments and large-scale guild wars.
Battle Crush and BSS are nearing their release early next year, with later releases for LLL and others.
The diversification reflects a growing trend in Korea, where console gaming is gaining ground. Four of NCSoft's new games are primarily developed for consoles, marking a departure from its mobile-centric recent past.
Kim also noted the changing demographics in gaming, indicating a shift toward genres and styles that were once considered niche.
"We're seeing a new generation of gamers shaping the market. Genres once considered niche are now hitting the mainstream. As player preferences evolve, so does our game development, and we aim to be at the forefront of this change,” he said.
-
Gangnam teen investigated for assaulting deliveryman with golf clubNaver to build digital twin platform for Saudi citiesS. Korea to hold remembrance ceremony for independence fighter at center of ideological dispute'The Boys' director says blending fact, fiction necessary to deliver messageYoon replaces spy agency leadership12 suspected cases of lumpy skin disease in cattle under investigationS. Korea formally accepts WTO deal on fisheries subsidiesParis Baguette to expand into Middle East, AfricaTax refund limit to be doubled for touristsLooming election has Yoon advocating harder for everyday South Koreans
下一篇:Female Nexon employee berates 'misandrist gesture' in MapleStory video
- ·조응천 "김종인이 2명 배제하자…민주당, 총선서 제1당 됐다"
- ·Seventeen 1st male group this year to top Melon Top 100
- ·S. Korea to hold remembrance ceremony for independence fighter at center of ideological dispute
- ·Touting historic ties with Saudi Arabia, Yoon calls for new partnership for growth
- ·러 매체 “北 위성에 러시아 도움, 근거 없다…포탄 지원설도 마찬가지”
- ·Lotte aquarium, activists battle over release of beluga whale
- ·Lotte aquarium, activists battle over release of beluga whale
- ·Korean delicacy of live octopus leads to choking death of 82
- ·Samsung sets up control tower for new growth drivers
- ·Looming election has Yoon advocating harder for everyday South Koreans
- ·Seventeen 1st male group this year to top Melon Top 100
- ·[KH Explains] Samsung
- ·Trailblazer, Trax drive up GM Korea’s exports
- ·Genesis BBQ opens 11th store in Vietnam
- ·[New on scene] Lee Jun
- ·[Today’s K
- ·Trailblazer, Trax drive up GM Korea’s exports
- ·EU preparing UN draft resolution on NK human rights
- ·[Our Museums] Ride through nation's train heritage at Korea Railroad Museum
- ·尹 대통령, 사우디 국방장관 만나 “국방·방산 협력 심화”
- ·[Herald Interview] Nam Woo
- ·Over 40% of manufacturers say they need more foreign workers
- ·Drugs smuggled in through Incheon Airport surge since pandemic: lawmaker
- ·Paris Baguette to expand into Middle East, Africa
- ·Yoon replaces spy agency leadership
- ·Seoul shares open higher as US Treasury yields slide
- ·[Herald Review] Stray Kids perform new standard of '5
- ·Asiana to hold board meeting to discuss sale of cargo unit
- ·Year after deadly crowd crush, victims, families yet to leave it behind
- ·PPP appoints naturalized Korean doctor Yohan Ihn as party innovation committee chief
- ·Employment in manufacturing sector in Q3 falls at fastest pace in 11 quarters
- ·Samyang to release tom yum flavor Buldak in US
- ·Celltrion merger plan approved by shareholders
- ·Three bidders vie for major stake in news channel YTN
- ·'Seventeenth Heaven' logs record
- ·KT to cooperate with Thai telecom firm to create Thai language AI service
- ·류호정·장혜영의 ‘세번째권력’ “총선서 30석, 200만 득표가 목표”
- ·Looming election has Yoon advocating harder for everyday South Koreans
- ·Chinese restaurant ‘threatened’ by peers for free delivery
- ·S. Korea's rising problem: unemployed youth giving up on job searching
- ·[Today’s K
- ·Chinese restaurant ‘threatened’ by peers for free delivery
- ·S. Korea formally accepts WTO deal on fisheries subsidies
- ·Korean Air to retain Asiana workers after takeover: sources
- ·‘Smugglers’ wins best picture at 44th Blue Dragon Film Awards
- ·Seventeen 1st male group this year to top Melon Top 100