Nexon is going to release a new PC MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) and a new mobile MMORPG on the 25th. Through MMORPG that has many hardcore users, it is going to introduce a traditional and a new-concept MMORPGs. They will be items that will evaluate a new CEO nominee, Lee Jung-heon, for his management skills for the first time.
Nexon is going to start an open beta-test of a MMORPG ‘Moonlight Blade’, which was developed by Tencent, on the 25th. Characteristics of Moonlight Blade, which is based on martial arts, are its abilities to implement realistic graphic and movements. This game has become popular after it started in China first in July of 2016.
Moonlight Blade is an orthodox game that follows concepts of current MMORPGs. Based on an extensive story, it is filled with MMORPG’s characteristics such as group battles, dungeons, personal battles, and situational contents.
South Korea’s PC MMORPG markets have been quiet for some time. They have been able to remain noticeable by releasing about one PC MMORPG per year such as Neowiz’s BLESS in February of 2016 and Webzen’s ‘MU Legend’ in March of 2017. It is understood that demands for PC MMORPGs have moved to mobile MMORPGs such as ‘Lineage 2 Revolution’ and ‘Lineage M’.
However there are still many people who are waiting for new PC MMORPGs. Although Pearl Abyss’ ‘Black Desert’ is currently ranked 20th based on hours of use in PC cafes, it is heard that there is a significant amount of demands from people who are trying to enjoy Black Desert at home.
“It will be interesting to see whether or not Moonlight Blade will be able to secure martial arts manias on top of current MMORPG users.” said a representative for a game developer.
Although ‘Durango: Wild Lands’, which will be released on the same day, is a MMORPG, it has experimental features. It took Nexon more than five years to develop this game.
Its background is ‘dinosaur era’, which is not really touched by South Korean game industries. Durango: Wild Lands’ goal is for people to survive in dinosaur era after time travelling to that era and it focuses on collection, construction, and use of surroundings rather than fights and battles.
Nexon incorporated bold contents into this game. AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology called ‘procedural creation’ that grows plans and others and places appropriate objects according to surroundings is emphasized in this game. In order to implement this technology, Nexon even asked people who majored in paleontology to participate in planning of Durango: Wild Lands.
“Even if new games come out, similar games will be released right after.” said Producer Lee Eun-seok of Nexon’s WHAT!STUDIO who had led development of this game. “I wanted to create an innovation that no one could follow.”
In 2017, Nexon became the first business out of game industries to be appointed as a group of large businesses. Since 2010, it has been in the lead out of South Korean game developers when it comes to sales and profits.
However Netmarble Games has been chasing Nexon closely since last year. It is understood that Netmarble and Nexon made similar amount of sales in 2017. However RPG genre especially separated these two businesses. While Netmarble Games was making billions of sales through ‘Lineage 2 Revolution’, Nexon did not put out any games that might rival Lineage 2 Revolution.
“Fact that Nexon’s sales’ level of dependence on single game is low is a strength and a weakness at the same time.” said a representative for a game industry. “It is showing aggressive moves by putting out an online MMORPG, which is expected to bring stable profits, and a mobile MMORPG, which will be able to open up a new genre globally, at the same time.”
Staff Reporter Kim, Siso | siso@etnews.com