Ahead of the General Meeting, Game Industry Everyone Embraces "Blockchain"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] As the shareholder meeting season begins at the end of this month, the gaming industry is emphasizing new blockchain businesses to appease shareholders.

According to the gaming industry on the 21st, companies such as Neowiz, Com2uS, and Krafton are adding blockchain-related businesses to their corporate objectives through amendments to their articles of incorporation. Neowiz recently launched a blockchain open platform called ‘Neopin.’ Com2uS disclosed the economic structure information based on the ecosystem of ‘C2X,’ characterized by a participatory open platform.

Krafton is diversifying its business by adding the production and distribution of video content such as movies and dramas, music, and webtoon content in addition to its blockchain business. Netmarble plans to complete a Metaverse VFX research center specialized in metahuman production and metaverse (extended virtual world) implementation in the first half of 2022 through its subsidiary Netmarble F&C. Additionally, it plans to release new games this year that implement metanomics by combining blockchain and the metaverse.

Among the 3N (Nexon, Netmarble, NCSoft), Netmarble and NCSoft are recruiting legal professionals as outside directors. Although both gaming companies have announced plans to enter the global P2E (play-to-earn) market, it is currently prohibited domestically. This move is interpreted as an effort to manage regulatory risks by bringing in legal experts.

Considering Wemade’s difficulties with accounting treatment of its proprietary cryptocurrency ‘Wemix,’ it is recruiting Professor Seungsu Han from Korea University Business School, an expert in accounting, as an outside director.

An industry insider explained, "As each gaming company is preparing to launch new titles incorporating blockchain technology this year, this shareholder meeting will serve as an opportunity to explain the direction of blockchain business to shareholders. Since the overall stock prices of gaming companies are currently undervalued, explanations related to this will also be provided to shareholders."