Lineage and PUBG Targeting Global Market... November New Release War [Buaeri's Game Dictionary]

[Asia Economy Reporter Buaeri] As domestic game companies compete to target the global market, the advance of K-Games will officially begin next month. New attempts are also noticeable, such as applying blockchain technology, which has been restricted domestically, to games.

`Lineage` to the Global Market

NCSoft announced on the 30th that it will simultaneously launch its new game ‘Lineage W’ globally on the 4th of next month. Starting with 13 countries including Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Russia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, the release countries will be expanded to North America, Europe, and South America in the future.

Lineage W was strategically developed for global users under the concept of ‘Worldwide’. It combines newly created 3D graphics with the original’s ‘Quarter View’ and ‘cell/grid-based combat’. The storyline is set 130 years after the original Lineage.

NCSoft also innovated its business model (BM). NCSoft has been criticized by loyal Lineage users, called ‘Linjeossi (Lineage + ajeossi)’ for Lineage M and 2M, due to excessive monetization through loot boxes and similar mechanics.

NCSoft announced that it will not introduce the fatigue system called ‘Einhasad System’. The plan is to make Lineage games accessible to the general public without excessive spending.

Kim Taek-jin, CEO of NCSoft

Earlier, Kim Taek-jin, CEO of NCSoft, expressed a solemn determination about Lineage W, saying, "It contains the spirit of developing the last Lineage." Kim explained, "It is the final work of Lineage that consolidates everything accumulated over 24 years."

Continuing the PUBG Success Story

Krafton, which has emerged as a new powerhouse threatening the 3N (NCSoft, Nexon, Netmarble) in the gaming industry, will also launch 'PUBG: New State', utilizing the PUBG intellectual property (IP), in the global market on the 11th of next month. It will be released in over 200 countries worldwide in 17 languages.

PUBG: New State was developed with the goal of inheriting the gameplay of 'PUBG: Battlegrounds' and presenting the next-generation mobile battle royale game with unique content and technology.

Kim Chang-han, CEO of Krafton, said, "PUBG: New State not only continues the main lineage of the PUBG IP but is also a game that can demonstrate global competitiveness on its own. Krafton believes that games will become the most powerful media and will lead the way in providing expanded experiences centered on games."

Interest in PUBG: New State is intense. According to Krafton, pre-registrations have surpassed 50 million, setting the highest record in Korean gaming history.

'Mir4' Applies Blockchain Technology Blocked Domestically

Wemade’s ‘Mir4’, which started global expansion earlier than these companies, is also receiving positive responses.

Mir4 is a global game released by Wemade in August in over 170 countries worldwide in 12 languages, including Korea. The number of users of Mir4 has recently increased rapidly, surpassing 100 servers. Currently, there are 64 servers in Asia, 6 in India, 13 in Europe, 21 in South America, and 32 in North America, operating a total of 136 servers.

In particular, the global version allows users to experience blockchain technology through the utility coin ‘Draco’ and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Jang Hyun-guk, CEO of Wemade, said, "Mir4 combined with WEMIX is changing the paradigm of the global game market beyond Mir’s Legend 2 in the Chinese market," adding, "We will make WEMIX the base currency of blockchain games."