The flow centered on multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG), represented by 'Lineage', is changing. Major domestic game companies are presenting action and narrative-centered role-playing games (RPGs) as the next key genre instead of existing MMORPGs, seeking new transformations. In the global market, MMORPGs have a strong negative image as overly monetized and focused on repetitive gameplay. In contrast, action RPGs are gaining popularity as packaged games that highlight thrilling combat, rich stories, and cinematic presentations.
◇ Kazan surpasses sales of new 'Assassin's Creed'
According to the game industry on the 31st, 'First Berserker: Kazan', officially launched by Nexon through its subsidiary NEOPLE on the 28th of last month, has maintained the 4th place in sales on Steam, the world's largest PC game platform. The game, which emphasizes challenging boss battles and exhilarating attack sensations, has been evaluated by gamers as showing combat immersion immediately after its release.
Notably, it has recorded a higher sales ranking than the new title 'Assassin's Creed: Shadow' (5th) from Ubisoft, Europe's largest game company, indicating that Korean action RPGs are beginning to gain global competitiveness.
The biggest difference between MMORPGs and action RPGs lies in their 'play style' and 'gameplay'. MMORPGs are characterized by many users simultaneously connecting to a massive online world, where character growth and tackling group content (sieges, raids, etc.) become central. Because of this, countless quests and field plays are repeated, and the monetization model often focuses on selling items that accelerate character growth or enhance equipment.
In contrast, action RPGs are primarily based on relatively small-scale or single-player experiences, with dynamic controls and immersive combat being key elements. The story unfolds with density, and combat with enemies emphasizes technical elements like 'skill' or 'pattern strategy', providing a high level of immersion.
◇ Domestic action RPG new titles competing for 'AAA-level'
In the past, major action RPGs were released mainly by companies in the United States and Japan, but in recent years, Korean game companies have also actively challenged this space.
NEOWIZ's console game 'Lie of P', launched in 2023, gained attention in the global market, recording 7 million cumulative users in just five months after its release. NEOWIZ plans to enhance the game's quality further by introducing a DLC expansion pack for Lie of P this summer.
SHIFT UP, known for the mobile game 'Goddess of Victory: Nikke', attracted industry attention with its action RPG 'Stella Blade', which won 8 awards at the PS Blog Game of the Year awards and 7 awards at the Korean Game Awards last year.
Pearl Abyss, famous for the MMORPG 'Black Desert', will also introduce the open-world action RPG 'Crimson Desert' in the upcoming fourth quarter. Crimson Desert aims for a level of completeness comparable to AAA games. The open world and graphics, implemented with their own engine, have already garnered global gamers' interest through several teaser videos. The industry is paying attention to whether Crimson Desert will be mentioned as a GOTY (Game of the Year) contender at the global game award ceremonies at the end of the year.
A game industry official noted, 'The domestic game industry has proven that it can achieve results in the traditional action RPG field based on consoles and PCs, breaking away from an MMORPG-centric approach,' and added, 'Single-player games are evaluated based on gameplay itself, so successful titles can positively impact brand image in the long term.'