NC TL Launch Imminent... 'Taekjin-ihyung' Returns to the Stage

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Kim Taek-jin, founder and CEO of NCSoft, is once again taking the microphone. Every time a major new title is announced, Kim personally introduces the game, and his passion has led to the success of Lineage M, Lineage 2M, and Lineage W. This is why the phrase "When Kim Taek-jin rises, success follows" is heard both inside and outside the gaming industry.

According to NC on the 21st, CEO Kim will reveal the PC and console new title TL Director's Preview on NC's official YouTube channel on the 27th. Kim will introduce the development direction of TL to users. Following this, key development directors including Chief Development Officer (PDMO) Choi Moon-young, TL Development PD Ahn Jong-ok, and TL Planning Director Lee Moon-seop will explain detailed aspects of the game.

TL is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) playable on PC and consoles. Even within the same region, the terrain changes when the weather changes, and the flow of battle shifts depending on combat, terrain, and environmental variables. It is currently in the final stages of development and is scheduled for release in the first half of next year.

Until now, NC has heavily depended on the Lineage series, with the "Lineage 3 siblings (W, M, 2M)" accounting for 73% of total revenue. However, there is a prevailing opinion that relying solely on games based on the Lineage IP is unsustainable.

When Lineage W was released last year, CEO Kim said, "There was a lingering regret about completing the original Lineage itself, so we developed Lineage W with the thought of creating the final Lineage to put an end to it," adding, "It is the last work that consolidates everything accumulated over 24 years of Lineage."

Ultimately, a new IP is needed to sustain NC. This is why CEO Kim is putting great effort into the artistry and marketing of TL.

With Kim personally stepping forward, internal expectations within the company are also rising. Kim had also personally introduced the games at the time of the releases of Lineage M, Lineage 2M, and Lineage W. All of these games have been highly successful, still ranking within the top 5 on app markets.

For large game companies like NC, it is common to outsource development to external subsidiaries and focus on publishing. However, NC keeps its development division in-house and does not have separate development subsidiaries. CEO Kim holds the title of Chief Creative Officer (CCO) and oversees the development organization.

An industry insider said, "Because the owner takes responsibility from development to completion and announcement, the game quality is inevitably high," adding, "Since CEO Kim is directly overseeing TL's development, the industry has high expectations that it will be as successful as the Lineage series."