Salary → Benefits → Stocks... Game Industry Goes All Out to Attract Developers

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Domestic game companies, which have raised salaries and strengthened welfare policies to secure top-tier developers, are now using 'stock grants' as another incentive.

According to the game industry on the 9th, Jang Byung-gyu, chairman of the board and largest shareholder of Krafton, recently decided to donate stocks worth 100 billion KRW he owns to all employees free of charge.

In an email sent to all members on the 6th, Chairman Jang said, "I have been considering how to express gratitude to all domestic and overseas members who contributed to Krafton's growth into a global company achieving nearly 90% of its sales overseas," and added, "I decided to donate my personal stocks as a way to share my gratitude with all global members." He also explained that although there is an employee stock ownership association system, overseas subsidiaries' members are not eligible, which was taken into account.

Pearl Abyss also plans to grant company stocks to employees within this month. A Pearl Abyss official stated, "This aligns with Pearl Abyss's HR compensation policy to provide the highest level of rewards for the highest efforts," and added, "Salary increases and an additional 2 million KRW bonus have already been completed, and company stocks will be granted after the board meeting this month." The official further explained, "Granting company stocks is the most direct way to share the company's performance," and added, "We will introduce a 'company stock program' annually to further strengthen the compensation structure."

Earlier, SundayToz granted stock options to all employees last month. The stock options amount to 255,928 shares and target 265 company members who joined by the end of March this year. They can be exercised starting from April 2023, two years later.

This trend of stock options and company stock grants in the game industry is analyzed as a measure to secure excellent development talent. It also seems to reflect the recognition that another incentive is needed as salary and welfare levels have already been standardized at a higher level.

In fact, the industry is in the midst of a hiring competition. Krafton announced plans to hire 700 new employees and is proceeding with the recruitment process, Pearl Abyss is recruiting internship positions linked to hiring, Nexon has been conducting large-scale special recruitment for the new development headquarters since March, and NCSoft is in the process of recruiting summer internships linked to hiring.