Held for four days from the 16th at BEXCO
3,250 booths, about 300 more than last year
NCSoft returns to G-Star after 8 years
Major game companies showcase new titles different from before
‘G-STAR 2023,’ the largest game show in Korea, is returning with its biggest scale ever. With 3,250 booths (2,386 in the B2C hall and 864 in the B2B hall), which is 303 more than last year, the event will be held for four days starting from the 16th at BEXCO in Busan. The key point to watch at this year’s G-STAR is ‘change.’ Until now, domestic game companies have focused on developing mobile MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games). However, this year, a large number of new titles across various genres based on PC and console platforms will be showcased.
Honed Skills... NC Returns After 8 Years
This year, many game companies that have not appeared at G-STAR for a while are participating. NCSoft is a prime example. Returning to G-STAR after 8 years, NCSoft is coming with new weapons rather than its flagship IP, Lineage.
NCSoft will unveil the most new games among participants, with seven titles. The newly introduced games include ▲shooting game ‘LLL’ ▲brawler action game ‘Battle Crush’ ▲MMORPG ‘Throne and Liberty (TL)’ ▲real-time strategy (RTS) game ‘Project G’ ▲interactive adventure game ‘Project M’ ▲collectible RPG ‘Project BSS’ ▲puzzle game ‘Puzz Up Amitoy.’ Each game belongs to a different genre, and TL is NCSoft’s first console-based game.
Smilegate is setting up a booth in the B2C (business-to-consumer) hall for the first time in nine years. Previously, it only participated in the B2B (business-to-business) hall. Smilegate will reveal the mobile version of its flagship hit ‘Lost Ark’ for the first time.
Webzen, which is setting up a booth in the B2C hall for the first time in seven years, will showcase new subculture games at G-STAR. Webzen is preparing to release two new subculture titles in the second half of this year. At this G-STAR, it will partially reveal information about ‘Tervis,’ a 2D animation collectible RPG developed by its subsidiary Webzen Nova. Google Play is also setting up a booth at G-STAR for the first time in four years. Under the theme of cross-platform gaming that allows playing games across PC and mobile, it plans to introduce games from Korean game companies.
Mainstreaming of Subculture
Subculture, which means a culture that is opposite to mainstream culture and is generally consumed by a niche audience, is becoming mainstream in gaming. Major participants at this year’s G-STAR are unveiling new subculture titles. The G-STAR Secretariat has organized the ‘Subculture Game Festival’ for the first time this year to cater to the growing number of subculture fans.
Popular subculture games in Korea include ‘Genshin Impact’ by Chinese game company HoYoverse and ‘Blue Archive’ by Nexon Games. These games are characterized by following well-crafted game stories and collecting and nurturing charming game characters. Last year, the Genshin Impact booth was one of the most visited at G-STAR, demonstrating the strong popularity of subculture games.
This year, although HoYoverse and Nexon are not participating in G-STAR, other game companies are bringing new subculture titles. Netmarble will unveil ‘Demis Reborn,’ a subculture-based collectible RPG, for the first time at G-STAR. It supports cross-platform play on mobile and PC and features 3D cartoon rendering that emphasizes character elements. Additionally, new titles such as ‘The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin’ and ‘RF Online Next’ will be showcased.
Wemade’s affiliate Wemade Connect, participating as the main sponsor of G-STAR, will also present the subculture new title ‘Lost Sword.’ Dragonfly will reveal its new collectible RPG ‘Adore: Goddess of Protection,’ and Chinese game companies will also attend G-STAR with subculture new titles.
This year’s G-STAR will also introduce artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the gaming field. Naver Cloud will showcase its massive AI ‘HyperCLOVA X’ and discuss its applications in the gaming industry. Ha Jung-woo, head of Naver Cloud AI Innovation Center, will deliver a keynote speech on this topic at the international game conference ‘G-CON 2023.’ SuperTone, an AI audio company and subsidiary of HYBE, will demonstrate AI voice generation technology for gaming.
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