In the End, Trust in IP... Netmarble Catches Two Rabbits of User Numbers and Revenue

'Solo Leveling: Arise' Hits Big
Top Ranks in User Numbers and Revenue

Netmarble, which has developed games based on famous intellectual property (IP), is soaring high by capturing both the 'two rabbits' of user numbers and revenue.

According to application analytics firm Mobile Index on the 28th, Netmarble's new mobile game "Solo Leveling: Arise" ranked 2nd in user numbers in the second week (6th-12th) of this month and maintained a top position at 4th place in the third week (13th-19th). Its revenue also ranked 1st on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store during this period.

The performance of Solo Leveling contrasts with other games that rank high in user numbers but have poor revenue. Brawl Stars and Roblox ranked 1st and 3rd in user numbers in the 2nd and 3rd weeks of this month, respectively, but their revenue rankings were only 7th-9th and 34th.

Solo Leveling is a webtoon and web novel serviced on KakaoPage, featuring a story where the protagonist grows by defeating monsters in dungeons. The webtoon has been mainly consumed in Japan, the United States, and Southeast Asia, gaining significant attention with a global cumulative view count of 14.3 billion. This story is considered optimally suited for game adaptation and is also praised for its artistic quality.

While Solo Leveling is strong, Chinese-made games are faltering. "Last War: Survival," developed by Chinese game company First Fun, which had ranked 1st in revenue on both Google and Apple app markets, recently dropped to 2nd place. Chinese game companies Joinus Games' "Mushroom Care" and Century Games' "WOS: Whiteout Survival" also fell to 4th and 5th places, respectively, pushed down by Solo Leveling.

In competition with Chinese games, which are already considered to have surpassed domestic games in graphics and other aspects, there is growing support for focusing on IP development to survive. An industry insider said, "Having a solid IP allows for differentiation in story and worldview," adding, "Purchasing a highly recognized IP and turning it into a game will be advantageous for success."