Korean Games Industry
Resilient or fragile - Inside the shifting dynamics of Korea’s games industry
Industry voices reveal how Korean studios are redefining what success means, ahead of Pocket Gamer Connects Summit Korea on October 31st
Company Profile
NCSOFT
Website
us.ncsoft.com
About
PC developer specialising in MMOs. It made its first foray into mobile development with Gem Keeper for iOS.
Related People
Chris Corry
Chief Development Officer
Accolades
Articles featuring NCSOFT
New Games
New release roundup: Uno Wonder, Bricks Breaker RPG, Angry Birds Rush and more
We highlight the latest new games that have broken cover and are all set to do big business
Jobs Roundup
January's Mobile Movers and Shakers: Executive exits at Netflix, Kwalee and Mistplay, NCSoft appoints new senior VP, and more
Our regular roundup of the mobile games industry's movers and shakers
New From Ncsoft
NCSoft to establish four new subsidiaries developing games and researching AI
The corporate split-off was approved during a board meeting but awaits green light from shareholders
Profit Power
NCSoft profit bounces back with 59% of revenue on mobile but not all Lineage games are thriving
The dev recorded $51.7 million in net income during Q2 2024, up 133% year-on-year
Funding For Games
NCSoft invests $3.5 million in Swedish studio Moon Rover Games
The studio will use the funds throughout the development stage of its upcoming FPS game Project Aldous
Partnership Power
Sony sets sights on mobile in strategic partnership with NCSoft
A strategic deal has been secured by CEOs Taekjin Kim and Jim Ryan
Korean Market
South Korea’s in-app purchase revenue has reached almost $3.6 billion in the year to date
Sensor Tower's report reveals that revenue remains above pre-pandemic levels, but downloads are down
Hybridcasual Hype
A casual revolution: Why even console devs want in on hybridcasual
Mobile changes fast, and while brave devs lead the way, there are plenty more happy to follow the lead
Reigning Revenue Raisers
Top 10 highest-grossing mobile games of all time
From Candy Crush and Clash of Clans to Pokémon and Lineage M
Five Great Games
New release roundup: Our weekly pick of the best new mobile games
We highlight five new games that have broken cover and are all set to do big business
Financials
NCSoft financials show almost 75% drop in profit year-on-year
The majority of the company’s revenue comes from mobile games
Stocks
NCSoft stock down 36.6% since January, with further dip after lacklustre pre-reg for Blade & Soul 2
The company has taken big hits in the past year due to slow performance
Ncsoft Financials
Mobile games generated 75% of NCSoft sales revenue in 2022
The company’s latest financials showcase the strength of its mobile offerings
Ncsoft West Layoffs
NCSoft West CEO Jeff Anderson leaves amidst layoffs
Approximately 20% of the company’s staff have lost their jobs
Best Of 2022
The Top 50 Mobile Game Makers of 2022
The movers and the shakers of the last 12 months
Gtr 2022
Global Top Round heads to Sweden for 2022 Conference
Ten developers will receive investments starting at $40,000 dollars.
Time To Conquer
Lineage 2M launches in North America and Europe
Open world adventure with 10,000 player capacity
M For Mobile
Lineage 2M launches in North America and Europe on 2 December
Based on the 2003 MMORPG of the same name
Best Of 2021
The Top 50 Mobile Game Makers of 2021
The movers, the shakers, and all those funky moneymakers
Direct To Mobile
NCSoft reveals new Lineage entry, Lineage W
The game will come to mobile alongside the PC release
No Slowing Down
Honor of Kings tops global revenue for third consecutive month
$264.5 million from player spending
South Korea Exclusive
NCSoft's Lineage 2 M generates $152 million in three months
$97.60 average revenue per download
Seamless Loading
NCSoft's latest potential mobile blockbuster Lineage 2 M set to release in Q4
Previous titles Lineage M and Lineage 2 Revolution both made over $1 billion
Mobile Future
NCSoft wants more from its legacy RPG franchises on mobile as sales decline
Mobile still makes up more than half of the company's sales
Report
Mobile grows while PC declines in NCSoft’s Q4 financial results
The Lineage M publisher’s financial results paint a mixed picture for the MMO publisher
Mmo Mania
NCSoft's 2019 plans include new Lineage, Alon and Blade & Soul mobile titles
Korean publisher revealed five new titles it hopes will lead growth next year
Top Performers
PUBG Mobile and Lineage M top download and grossing charts in South Korea in H1 2018
The top 10 grossers and downloaded mobile games across the App Store and Google Play for the first six months of the year
Best Of 2018
The Top 50 Mobile Game Developers of 2018
Revealed: the movers, shakers and moneymakers!
Billions
Lineage 2 Revolution follows Lineage M in breaking $1 billion barrier
Still making $30 million a day 20 months on
Brand Power
The curious tale of how Lineage’s mobile releases shook up (and didn’t) South Korean gaming
Shots of adrenalin
Fine Lineage
Lineage M breaks $1.2 billion in revenue a year after release
The popular MMO is also aiming for a global release
New Job Klaxon
NCSoft appoints chief development officer for Western operations
Chris Corry will be responsible for overseeing all development in the West
Power Of Ip
Lineage M spikes NCSoft profits up 570% year-on-year to $189m
But revenues are down quarter-on-quarter as Lineage sales stabilise
Ncsoft Financials Q4 Fy17
Lineage M's huge success pushes NCSoft's revenues to a record $1.6 billion in 2017
Sales are beginning to die down following the launch
Best Of 2017
Top 50 Mobile Game Developers of 2017
The movers, shakers and moneymakers
Ncsoft Financials Q2 Fy17
NCSoft's mobile sales jump 300% to $83 million thanks to Lineage M
Mobile take on PC MMO is cannibalising other games with its name
A Fine Lineage
NCSoft's Lineage M reported to have generated over $233 million in revenues in first month of release
Beats Lineage 2: Revolution's record by a fair chunk
Strong Start
NCSoft's Lineage M tops South Korea's iOS grossing charts in seven hours
5.5 million pre-registered players already enjoying the game
Ncsoft Financials Q1 Fy17
NCSoft earned $35 million in royalties from Lineage 2 Revolution in Q1 FY17
But profits slumped by 60%
Classic Reborn
NCSoft seals deal with Taiwan firm Gamania to publish Lineage M
Agreement will see game released in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao
Korean Insight
82% of Korean games companies have annual sales of less than US $87,000
The top 10 Korean games companies: market insight from our partners at This Is Game
Two Games, One Kingdom
NCsoft files lawsuit against Netmarble over alleged Lineage IP infringement
MMORPG Aden stood to benefit from Lineage likeness
Ready For China
NCSoft signs $10 million deal to bring mobile game Lineage Red Knights to China
Publisher could collaborate with the Alpha Group on animations, cartoons and toys
Key Frames
NCSOFT partners with IKinema to use cost-cutting procedural animation system in next title
Real-time inverse kinematics, they call it
Aggressive Move
NCsoft announces three team US mobile studio Iron Tiger
Plans to be 100-strong in 2016
NCsoft invests $5 million in Kabam spin-out This Game Studio
Vancouver gets another start-up