Reinterpreting Classic IPs Gains Popularity
Nostalgia Drives New User Growth
Lower Risk, Higher User Loyalty
Netmarble's "Seven Knights Reverse"
Achieves 110 Billion Won in Sales in Just Over a Month
New Titles Set for Release in the Second Half of the Year
Games that reboot past hits with a modern touch are regaining popularity. Proven legacy IPs are not only fueling nostalgia but are also serving as solid mid- to long-term revenue sources.
According to the gaming industry on July 17, Nexon's upcoming action role-playing game (RPG) "Vindictus: Defying Fate" attracted participation from 426,176 users across 189 countries during its global alpha test held from June 9 to 17. The total playtime reached an impressive 131 years. This game continues the universe of "Mabinogi Heroes," which was first released in 2009. In addition, it utilizes the latest game engine, Unreal Engine 5, to enhance graphical precision. The title is set to launch optimized for both PC and console platforms.
Netmarble has also seen success by reinterpreting popular legacy IPs. A representative example is "Seven Knights Reverse," which was launched in May. The game builds on the 2014 title "Seven Knights" by introducing full 3D graphics and strengthening strategic combat and collection elements. Within just four days of its release, Seven Knights Reverse topped the sales charts on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store in Korea. As of last month, its cumulative sales are estimated to have reached 110 billion won.
Industry experts emphasize that the trend of rebooting legacy IPs is not merely about retro marketing. For users, these games provide an improved experience. For game companies, they help reduce the risks associated with developing new titles. Reboots also serve as a foundation for revenue generation. For example, NCSoft is aiming to expand profits through its legacy IPs, including the "Lineage" series.
Hong Wonjun, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of NCSoft, stated during the first quarter earnings conference call in May, "We aim to secure a sustainable revenue base that can cover our optimized cost structure solely with legacy IPs," adding, "Our goal is to stably generate annual sales of 1.4 to 1.5 trillion won through the expansion of legacy IPs."
Anticipated titles based on legacy IPs are scheduled for release not only in the second half of this year but also into next year. NCSoft's "Aion 2" is preparing for launch at the end of this year, while Kakao Games, in collaboration with XL Games, will introduce "ArcheAge Chronicle" in the first half of next year. These are sequels to "Aion" and "ArcheAge," respectively. A gaming industry official commented, "Proven legacy IPs have the power to transcend generations. They are effective in attracting new users, recapturing the attention of past players, solidifying revenue streams, and strengthening brand presence."
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