NCSoft Pangyo R&D Center (Image courtesy of NCSoft)
SEOUL, Oct. 23 (Korea Bizwire) – NCSoft, one of South Korea’s largest gaming companies, announced on October 22 a major restructuring that will see it abandon several new intellectual properties (IPs) to refocus on its successful “Lineage” series and other massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs).
The company will shut down multiple projects, including “Battle Crush,” released just four months ago, along with “Project M,” an interactive movie, “Miniverse,” a metaverse platform, “Project E,” a Joseon dynasty-era action game, and the casual game “Doguri Adventure.”
In a significant organizational shift, NCSoft will spin off four subsidiaries, including the development teams behind “Throne and Liberty” (TL), its first MMORPG in 11 years since “Blade & Soul,” and “LLL,” a shooting-MMORPG hybrid. The mobile strategy game “TACTAN” will also become independent.
Journey of Monarch, a Lineage IP-based mobile game (Photo: a screenshot from Journey of Monarch website)
“This decision aims to boost specialization and independence,” co-CEOs Kim Taek-jin and Park Byungmoo wrote in an email to employees, indicating future new IP development will follow the independent studio model.
The restructuring mirrors the organizational structure of competitors like Krafton and Netmarble, which maintain primarily business support functions at their headquarters while delegating game development to subsidiaries.
However, development teams for games based on NCSoft’s legacy properties will remain within the main company. These include the mobile game “Journey of Monarch” based on the “Lineage” IP, “Project Skyline,” an MMORPG using Sony’s “Horizon” IP, and “AION 2,” the official sequel to the “AION” series.
The restructuring’s immediate impact was evident as NCSoft removed all developer job postings from its website and recruitment platforms. Candidates already in the hiring process reportedly received notices of temporary suspension, citing internal reorganization.
With the spinoff companies set to launch in February next year and a voluntary retirement program announcement expected on October 23, the company faces a period of significant transition as it attempts to stabilize its business by returning to its roots in the MMORPG genre.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
