NCSoft to launch Lineage W, first game with priority on global users

South Korea’s leading game developer NCSoft Corp. will be launching its latest massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), Lineage W, earlier than scheduled.  

According to the game industry on Aug. 10, NCSoft will share detailed information on the new game and showcase its online teaser trailer within this week. Lineage W is the first Lineage IP-based game since the launch of Lineage 2M in 2019.

Industry insiders noted that unlike previous games launched under the Lineage brand, which focused primarily on the domestic market, Lineage W aims to draw users mostly from outside Korea.

“NCSoft previously launched their games first in Korea and later in overseas markets. Lineage W is reported to be the company’s first game with the overseas users as primary targets,” said an industry official.

Sources said that NCSoft will launch Lineage W earlier than scheduled, following the decision from the top management. NCSoft is still in the process of developing the game, as seen from the online job posting that it uploaded in July to recruit software developers.

“We can’t share information on the games that have not been officially announced yet,” said an NCSoft representative in replying to queries on the exact launch schedule.

A STRATEGIC MOVE BY THE DEFENDING CHAMPION

Industry analysts interpret NCSoft’s Lineage W launch as its desperate move to maintain its long-standing leadership in the market. The company, thanks to the huge success of Lineage M, has maintained the top position in the mobile game scene for many years.

But with Kakao Games Corp.’s ODIN: Valhalla Rising taking over the top position recently in terms of sales on Google Play, and five of the current top 10 games launched within the last 12 months, the analysts say NCSoft’s has no other option but to launch a new game.

Industry watchers added that the near-monopoly structure that NCSoft had built since 2017 in the Korean game scene with Lineage M and Lineage 2M is finally facing a potential collapse.

Krafton Inc. will launch PUBG: New State within this year. The game has already drawn more than 25 million pre-orders excluding China, India and Vietnam. Netmarble Co. will also launch MARVEL Future Revolution and Seven Knights Revolution in the second half of 2021 as well.

NCSoft, to secure its position as the defending champion of the game industry, will launch Blade & Soul 2 on Aug. 26 and officially announce the launch of Lineage W.

“NCSoft’s strategy is to retake the top position in the domestic market with Blade & Soul 2 and grab the overseas market share with Lineage W,” said a game industry official.

Write to Min-ki Koo at kook@hankyung.com
Daniel Cho edited this article.