Release Games' New Idle Game Rises to 3rd Place in Revenue Rankings
Domestic Game Companies' Idle Games Continue to Decline in Rankings
Chinese company Lilith Games is upgrading idle role-playing games (RPGs) and intensifying its offensive. The new title 'AFK: New Journey' adds artistic value to the idle game genre, surpassing domestic games and ranking high in revenue charts.
According to application analytics firm Mobile Index on the 26th, AFK: New Journey ranked 3rd and 2nd in revenue on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store respectively as of the 22nd. The game’s revenue ranking on the Play Store was first tracked on the 10th of this month, starting at 128th place, then jumping to 24th the next day, and entering the top 10 from the 14th. Since the 16th, it has maintained the 3rd position in revenue rankings. Within six days of tracking, it rose to become a popular game following NCSoft’s Lineage M and Chinese game company First Fun’s 'Last War: Survival.'
The reason AFK: New Journey is gaining attention domestically is because it adds the gameplay element of an 'open field' to the idle game genre. The previously popular idle game 'Mushroom Keeper' involves repeatedly leveling up the main character, defeating monsters, and acquiring items. Users simply watch this process unfold automatically.
In contrast, AFK: New Journey similarly uses automation for character development and monster battles. However, its strength lies in allowing players to freely roam the in-game world through an open field, solve puzzles, collect treasures, and complete quests. Unlike traditional idle games that repeat monster battles and item collection, this game enables free exploration of the game world.
It was also recognized at ChinaJoy 2024, China’s largest gaming event held in Shanghai, where it won the 'Best Innovation Game Award' at the China Game Innovation Conference, which honors innovative games.
Intellectual property (IP) is another strength. This game is a spin-off of Lilith Games’ previously released idle game AFK: Arena, sharing the same imagery. Although AFK: Arena performed well in revenue, it received criticism for false advertising. AFK: New Journey is evaluated to have resolved these issues.
An industry insider said, "Just by looking at the graphics, you can tell it’s a Lilith Games title, and it has a fandom. Unlike Mushroom Keeper, which involves simple left-to-right movement, this game’s ability to idle while also completing quests is identified as a key factor in its popularity."
As this Chinese game evolves the idle game genre, concerns are rising that domestic game companies’ positions may shrink. Currently, Com2uS plans to release Summoners War Legion, an idle game using the Summoners War IP, in the first quarter of next year. NCSoft is also reportedly developing an idle game using the Lineage IP.
Domestic idle games have struggled. Netmarble’s Seven Knights Growth ranked 2nd in revenue shortly after its release in September last year but has since dropped to around 60th place. Kakao Games’ idle game Gransaga Growth, which launched in May, has fallen outside the top 100 in revenue rankings.
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