Major game companies reported strong performances in the first half of the year, but concerns loom for the second half. The impact of new releases is diminishing, and the highly anticipated launch of 'Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA6)' is prompting companies to rethink their marketing strategies and release schedules.
On August 13, South Korea's leading game companies finalized their second-quarter results. Nexon reported second-quarter revenue of 1.139 trillion won, with an operating profit of 294.3 billion won and a net profit of 278.8 billion won. This marks a 19.9% decrease in revenue compared to the first quarter's 1.4213 trillion won, and a 45.9% drop in operating profit from 543.6 billion won.
The success of the 'MapleStory' franchise and the October 2025 release of 'Arkriders' contributed to a cumulative revenue of 2.5603 trillion won, an operating profit of 837.9 billion won, and a net profit of 813.7 billion won for the first half of the year, setting a record for the period. Revenue and operating profit increased by 17% and 13%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.
NC reported second-quarter revenue of 770.5 billion won, an operating profit of 173.9 billion won, and a net profit of 131.2 billion won. Revenue surged by 101% and operating profit by 1,053% year-on-year, with the success of 'Lineage Classic,' released in February, significantly boosting PC game revenue to a record 343.8 billion won.
Netmarble achieved consolidated revenue of 749.2 billion won and an operating profit of 80.1 billion won in the second quarter, reflecting a substantial recovery with increases of 15% in revenue and 50.8% in operating profit from the previous quarter. The growth was driven by updates to 'The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin' and the initial success of the new MMORPG 'Soul: Enchant,' alongside a 78% contribution from international sales.
Krafton also reported record second-quarter consolidated revenue of 1.2902 trillion won and an operating profit of 410.9 billion won, marking increases of 94.9% in revenue and 67.0% in operating profit year-on-year. The sustained revenue from its flagship title 'PUBG' and the global success of the new release 'Subnautica 2' were key factors in this growth.
Despite these impressive results, the outlook for the second half is challenging. Sales and operating profits from new games released earlier this year have begun to decline, prompting companies to prepare for major new releases and strengthen existing IPs.
NC plans to launch about ten games from its own development and publishing efforts starting in the second half of this year through next year, with new releases scheduled almost every month. Krafton aims to expand the playtime of 'Subnautica 2,' which has released about 25-30% of its story in early access, and introduce a four-player cooperative mode.
Pearl Abyss is also preparing for a major update and platform expansions, including for Switch 2, to boost sales of 'Crimson Desert' and plans to sell downloadable content (DLC).
As the competition for new releases heats up in the second half, GTA6 emerges as a significant variable. NC's 'Cinder City,' Kakao Games' 'ArcheAge Chronicles,' and 'God Save Birmingham' are among the titles that may coincide with GTA6's release.
Game companies, including NC, are adopting a strategy to avoid the month of November for new releases. There is a prevailing opinion that adjusting release dates is preferable to direct competition, leading to potential rescheduling of many upcoming game launches.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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