'G-Star 2022' Returns After 3 Years, Showcasing the Full Strength of Domestic Game Companies

Nexon Returns to G-STAR After 4 Years with 9 Titles
Netmarble, Kakao Games Showcase Major New Releases
Main Sponsor Wemade Promotes 'Wemix' Ecosystem

Nexon plans to release its next title, "KartRider Drift," as a full cross-play game supporting PC, mobile, and consoles. The photo is an image of "KartRider Drift." (Photo by Nexon)

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Domestic game companies have unveiled the titles they will showcase at ‘G-STAR 2022’ (hereafter G-STAR), the largest international game exhibition in Korea, returning after three years. Major new releases, representing the combined capabilities of each company, have been revealed in large numbers, drawing attention to G-STAR 2022, which is just a week away.

Nexon Returns After 4 Years, Showcases Numerous Polished New Titles

Nexon, participating in G-STAR for the first time in four years, revealed nine titles on the 9th under the slogan ‘Return.’ Nexon presented the direction it will take in the future through new titles, including offering console platform demos for the first time ever at G-STAR. Nexon operates 300 booths, the largest single scale in the BTC hall. Visitors can directly try out four titles: ‘Mabinogi Mobile,’ ‘First Descendant,’ ‘KartRider: Drift,’ and ‘Dave the Diver.’ Additionally, new trailer videos for five new titles will be showcased: the Dungeon & Fighter IP-based new projects ‘Project AK’ and ‘Project Overkill,’ the MMORPG ‘Hwansae Chwihojeon Online,’ ‘Godsome: Clash of God,’ and the action game ‘Night Walker.’

As this is Nexon’s first attendance in four years, the company is focusing on maximizing contact points with gamers. At the ‘Nexon G-STAR 2022 Preview’ press conference, CEO Lee Jung-heon stated, “This year’s G-STAR prioritizes demos, allowing four games to be played on about 560 devices. Although we cannot conduct broadcasts as before, the development team will visit booths directly to communicate more closely and intimately with users.”

In particular, Nexon will showcase ‘cross-platform’ games at G-STAR that can be enjoyed across mobile, PC, and console, demonstrating its future direction. CEO Lee explained, “For Korean game companies to succeed and survive long-term in Western markets or elsewhere, consoles are an indispensable platform.”

Krafton 'G-Star 2022' Exhibition Lineup. (Photo by Krafton)

New Titles to Drive 2023 Performance Flood the Market

Netmarble will showcase four new titles at G-STAR: ‘Solo Leveling: Arise,’ ‘Arthdal Chronicles,’ ‘Paragon: The Overprime,’ and ‘Hype Squad.’ Netmarble will operate an exhibition hall with 100 booths, featuring about 160 demo stations and an open stage. The new titles revealed by Netmarble are significant as core games aimed at overcoming recent ongoing performance slumps. The company plans to expand its reach across various genres and globally to achieve a performance rebound.

‘Hype Squad,’ currently in development as a PC game, will be officially serviced through global game distribution platforms Steam and Epic Games Store. The PC game ‘Paragon: The Overprime,’ which combines third-person shooting and territory control genres, will showcase its core 5:5 battle mode at G-STAR, and plans to confirm its potential for growth as an e-sport through on-site events.

Kakao Games will introduce ‘Goddess Order,’ ‘Ares: Rise of Guardians,’ and ‘Eversoul’ at G-STAR. The Kakao Games booth will be divided into three main zones centered around key titles, including a PC demo zone. Major titles ‘Ares’ and ‘Goddess Order’ will have large demo stations where visitors can directly try the games at the booth.

Crafton, participating in G-STAR for the sixth consecutive year, will introduce games from its independent studios centered on its flagship IP ‘PUBG: Battlegrounds.’ First, a play and pre-order experience zone will be set up for ‘The Callisto Protocol,’ which is scheduled for global simultaneous release on the 2nd of next month. Visitors can also experience ‘Moonbreaker,’ ‘New State Mobile,’ ‘Defense Derby,’ and meet Crafton’s virtual artist ‘Anna’ on-site.

Kakao Games 'G-STAR 2022' booth appearance. (Photo by Kakao Games)

Main Sponsor Wemade Promotes ‘Wemix’ Ecosystem

Wemade, the main sponsor of G-STAR, will showcase two new titles and introduce its virtual asset ‘Wemix’ ecosystem, presenting its overall business strategy. Wemade’s B2C booth will be composed of an experiential zone and a stage that engage the five senses. The experiential zone will feature the first public reveal of Mad Engine’s ‘Night Crow’ and Wemade XR’s ‘Legend of Mir.’ On stage, the general PDs leading the development of the two new titles will personally introduce the games.

Wemade has secured 30 booths in the B2B hall to conduct business between companies. Discussions will be held with domestic and international partners on IP business and the expansion of the Wemix ecosystem through business and investment. Updates on new title development will also be provided. Wemade CEO Jang Hyun-guk will deliver a keynote speech at the G-CON X IGC conference on the 18th. Under the theme ‘A New Paradigm: Intergame Economy and Metaverse,’ CEO Jang will share Wemade’s blockchain strategy.