Netmarble to launch new game 'RF Online Next'

Netmarble Corp., South Korea’s leading game developer, is slated to roll out “RF Online Next” on March 20, a revamp of the old title “RF Online” released in 2004.

Reflecting the strong anticipation for the new game, character reservations for "RF Online Next" were fully booked within three hours of opening on March 6. Its showcase on Feb. 12 drew a peak concurrent viewership of 23,345.

To engage with gamers ahead of the launch, Netmarble has released a special video entitled "RF Truth Game" on its official Youtube channel.

To generate buzz, Netmarble also released a web novel based on the "RF Online Next" IP, titled "Bad Born Blood," which has been published periodically for 15 months since October 2023.

The novel has recorded 3.55 million downloads and boasts an average rating of 9.3 out of 10. Its eponymous webtoon adaptation was launched last year, earning an even higher rating of 9.93.

The upcoming title aligns with Netmarble's strategy to leverage legacy intellectual properties (IPs) in order to expand its portfolio.

Meanwhile, at a board meeting on March 7 the company decided to transition to a single-CEO system, ending its five-year, dual-CEO structure.

Kim Byung-gyu, appointed as co-CEO in January 2024, will take the helm of the game developer.

In 2024, Netmarble turned an operating profit of 215.6 billion won ($148 million), snapping two straight years of losses.

Write to Yeonhee Kim at yhkim@hankyung.com
Joel Levin edited this article.