Netmarble is ramping up its efforts to penetrate the Japanese market by participating in the Tokyo Game Show (TGS). As part of Chairman Bang Jun-hyuk's emphasis on enhancing global competitiveness, the company is focusing on the preferences of Japanese users this year. At TGS, Netmarble plans to showcase a lineup of new titles to strengthen its presence in the local market.
According to the gaming industry on August 24, Netmarble will participate in the global gaming exhibition Tokyo Game Show 2026, scheduled for September 17-21 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan. After confirming high interest from local attendees during its debut at TGS last year, Netmarble is set to return for a second consecutive year.
This year's featured titles include the tag-switching battle RPG Shangri-La Frontier: Seven Strongest, the roguelite action RPG Solo Leveling: Karma, and the subculture collection RPG Pearl in Blue.
The three games cater to different genres and target audiences. Netmarble aims to capitalize on its strong fanbase in Japan by adapting popular intellectual properties (IPs) into games, introducing new narratives and genre challenges using globally popular IPs, and unveiling its own IP in the subculture genre, which is favored by Japanese users, to drive success in the market.
Shangri-La Frontier: Seven Strongest is a mobile and PC tag-switching battle RPG based on the popular Japanese IP Shangri-La Frontier. The IP has garnered over 1 billion views and more than 17 million copies in comic book sales in Japan.
The game faithfully implements key elements from the original, including exploring the game world, character interactions, and unique monster hunts. It features easy controls combined with strategic combat that targets enemy weaknesses. Players can switch characters and build decks to experience various battles from the original work.
Shangri-La Frontier: Seven Strongest is set to launch in Japan this fall, and Netmarble plans to officially present the game to local users at TGS. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience the tag-switching battle system and the charm of the original through a demo version and stage programs.
Solo Leveling: Karma is a roguelite action RPG currently in development based on the globally popular IP Solo Leveling. Netmarble aims to unveil a new narrative that was not detailed in the original work. The game explores the 27 years of the monarch war experienced by Sung Jin-Woo, who travels back in time using the 'Cup of Reincarnation,' expanding the familiar world with a fresh storyline.
The combat style has been diversified to enhance the tactile experience, allowing players to change their approach based on weapon and blessing combinations. This enables users to explore different strategies through repeated play, discovering new weapons and abilities each time.
The Solo Leveling IP has gained a following in Japan through its anime adaptations. Netmarble previously released Solo Leveling: Arise based on the same IP. This time, the company plans to combine the new roguelite action RPG genre with an original narrative to continue the success of the previous title while attracting the interest of Japanese action RPG players.
Pearl in Blue is Netmarble's original IP, making its debut at TGS. The game is a mobile subculture collection RPG centered around building connections with girls, each with their own stories. It combines the fun of nurturing a hero and influencer squad with 2D animated cutscenes and character interaction content infused with romantic comedy elements.
Rather than merely collecting characters for combat, players engage with various characters to learn about their personalities and stories, experiencing changes in relationships and emotions.
Netmarble expects to test its original IP's competitiveness, particularly by emphasizing the subculture genre and character interaction elements that are popular in Japan. The company aims to expand its reach to local users from the initial unveiling, fostering a new fanbase early on.
To achieve this, Netmarble plans to showcase interactive exhibition spaces and various on-site programs at TGS, allowing attendees to experience the game's world and character appeal firsthand.
Additionally, Netmarble has been strengthening its original IP competitiveness, recently launching new titles such as RF Online Next, Seven Knights Revolution, and Vampire. With the introduction of the new original IP Pearl in Blue, the company is expanding its portfolio beyond MMORPGs into the subculture genre.
A Netmarble representative stated, “At this TGS, we will present differentiated programs such as demonstrations, stage events, and interactive content tailored to the genres and IP characteristics of each title. We aim to ensure that local users can directly experience the core fun, world-building, and character appeal of our works, securing a new fanbase in Japan and achieving meaningful results in the global market.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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