NC in Crisis, Aims to Regain Former Glory with New Releases and AI

New TL Release Global Expansion This Year
Ultra-Large AI 'Barco' Expands Business Scope

NCSoft, struggling with recent poor performance and the double burden of one-game risk, aims for a turnaround this year through global expansion and a super-large artificial intelligence (AI). Attention is focused on whether the company can overcome criticism and crisis theories labeling it as a Lineage one-tool game company and restore its former glory.

TL Global Expansion Imminent

According to industry sources on the 2nd, NCSoft is exploring the global launch of its new massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) 'Throne and Liberty (THRONE AND LIBERTY·TL)' in partnership with Amazon Games this year.

Released domestically on the 7th of last month, the game is currently maintaining stable service. Although issues such as 'optimization problems' and 'high growth difficulty' were raised after launch, rapid updates have improved these problems, drawing positive responses from users. In particular, the development team's active communication efforts and updates reflecting user feedback have been credited with successfully reversing the atmosphere.

Global users' expectations for TL are also rising accordingly. Especially, NCSoft and Amazon Games announced that TL will be launched to support 'console,' a major platform in the North American and European markets, further increasing anticipation.

Although TL has not officially opened overseas yet, global users who have accessed the game through various channels have given positive reviews, saying, "An open world without delay and loading, graphics that enhance immersion, and controls optimized for console controllers raise expectations."

In addition to TL, NCSoft is developing three new titles: ▲brawler-type action 'Battle Crush (BATTLE CRUSH)' ▲collectible role-playing game (RPG) 'Project BSS' ▲real-time massive strategy simulation (MMORTS) 'Project G.' All these games are being developed with a global focus from the development stage.

Among them, Battle Crush is the title NCSoft is most hopeful about. It is a brawler-type action game where players fight to be the last one standing amid a shrinking terrain and enemies over time.

It is the first title to be released on the Nintendo Switch and is scheduled for global release in the first half of this year. The game’s casual battle royale gameplay received favorable reviews during the global closed beta (CBT) held in October last year and at G-Star in November. It supports various platforms including Steam and mobile besides Switch, and cross-play is possible, allowing easy access through various control methods.

?Game, AI Monetization

Another new year strategy for NCSoft is monetizing super-large AI. Leveraging AI research and development (R&D) capabilities developed since 2011, NCSoft recently developed its own large language model (LLM) called VARCO LLM. VARCO stands for ‘Via AI, Realize your Creativity and Originality,’ NCSoft’s AI integrated brand name meaning ‘realize originality through AI.’

VARCO LLM is a high-performance language model trained using high-quality pre-training data. Initially, the LLM was developed to improve efficiency in game content development. Utilizing the LLM can enhance productivity across all areas of game development, including planning, operations, and art. Developing digital humans based on the LLM can also provide new communication experiences that did not exist before.

This year, NCSoft plans to expand the scope of use. The company believes that when connected to specific industries beyond gaming, the LLM can generate significant synergy. Some potential has already been confirmed. In June last year, NCSoft signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MOU) with DreamAce and Yonhap News Agency to develop a vehicle AI news service. VARCO LLM technology was used to select news considering the driver’s preferences and provide voice guidance.

Currently, NCSoft has signed MOUs with ▲Korea Meteorological Administration and ▲autonomous driving robot (Twinny) to expand VARCO LLM services. Cooperation with industries such as bio, finance, and education is also under consideration.