S.Korean game developers to utilize idol group IPs

Kakao Games Corp., a game publishing unit of South Korean tech giant Kakao Corp., signed a licensing deal with SM Entertainment Co. to utilize idol groups' intellectual properties (IPs) of SM. 

As part of this collaboration, Kakao Games plans to develop a mobile game called "SM Game Station," featuring various idol groups.

The game is set for a global release in the latter half of this year. SM Entertainment manages diverse idol groups such as Aespa, Red Velvet, NCT Dream, and Rize.

In this partnership, MetaBora, a subsidiary of Kakao Games, will handle game development, while Kakao Games will be responsible for publishing and operating the game.

This is the first time that Kakao Games directly utilize SM Entertainment's IP 

Although Kakao acquired SM Entertainment in March of last year, there have been no significant joint projects until now.

The most notable action was Kakao Entertainment creating webtoons and web novels featuring idols from SM Entertainment.

Com2uS Corp. is set to release a mobile game titled “BTS Cooking On: TinyTAN Restaurant” in over 170 countries in the first half of this year.

The game supports 11 languages, including French, to enhance accessibility for international BTS fans.

Smilegate released the dating simulation game “U&I: My Love with the GirlsGroup” on April 11. In this game, four members of the idol group Saturday appear as protagonists.

Hive’s gaming subsidiary, HiveIM, also promoted its role-playing game (RPG) “Become a Star 2,” released on April 2, featuring singers affiliated with Hive.

Write to Ju-Hyun Lee at deep@hankyung.com