One of the most striking transformations at this year’s G-Star is the ascension of PC and console platforms. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 14 (Korea Bizwire) – At the upcoming G-STAR, Korea’s prime gaming exhibition, the industry will unveil new titles focused on delivering inherent fun and leveraging intellectual property (IP). These submissions and booth plans highlight a forecast: console platforms and subculture games, specifically the Japanese anime-style, are set to become pivotal in 2024′s gaming landscape.
This shift is closely observed as a potential revival for the domestic video game industry, which faced user trust issues due to revenue models overly reliant on chance-based in-game items.
One of the most striking transformations at this year’s G-Star is the ascension of PC and console platforms, challenging the dominance of mobile platforms, which prevailed for the past decade. Korean game developers are diverging from their usual mobile-centered focus and are now presenting games tailored to console devices like the PlayStation and Nintendo Switch.
For instance, NCsoft, known for its mobile MMORPGs, is showcasing “Battle Crush,” a new action game designed specifically for the Nintendo Switch. Additionally, NCsoft plans to display the open-world shooter “LLL” for PC at G-Star, with reports hinting at a console version in the works for an international release.
NCsoft is showcasing “Battle Crush,” a new action game designed specifically for the Nintendo Switch. (Image courtesy of NCSoft)
Pearl Abyss will exhibit a private demo of its anticipated action-adventure game “Crimson Desert,” targeting partners and investors at a dedicated B2B booth. Meanwhile, KRAFTON is expected to shift its spotlight from mobile games to also include demos of a PC-based life simulation game called inZOI at the company’s booth.
Line Games is collaborating with Epic Games to present “The War of Genesis: Remnants of Gray,” aligning with the trend towards console gaming for a global audience seeking enhanced visuals and gameplay.
Simultaneously, the fervor for Japanese anime-style or subculture games, a genre that gained traction in the global gaming scene since the 2020s, continues to shine at G-Star. Netmarble’s showcase of “Demis RE:Born,” part of the “Grand Cross” project, and “Grand Cross: Origin,” an open-world adventure based on “The Seven Deadly Sins,” underscores the ongoing focus on subculture content.
Netmarble’s showcase of “Demis RE:Born,” part of the “Grand Cross” project. (Image courtesy of Netmarble)
Webgen is also anchoring its exhibit around subculture-themed games like “Terbis,” a collectible RPG, along with titles like “The Eminence in Shadow” and “Ragnadol” developed by Japanese studios.
This year’s G-Star further reinforces the importance of subculture games, with organizers even planning a ‘Subculture Game Festival’ as a notable side event. In fact, some industry voices have suggested renaming them as “two-dimensional games” due to their departure from being merely niche.
Console platforms and subculture games both prioritize immersive experiences over monetization through competitive in-game purchases, a marked shift from past revenue models. This change in gaming goals is reflected in the business models (BM) observed at G-Star.
Games like THRONE AND LIBERTY by NCsoft promise a demo absent of “probabilistic items,” aligning with the trend towards more transparent and fair gaming experiences. Similarly, upcoming subculture games from Netmarble and Webgen are anticipated to minimize or exclude player-versus-player (PvP) elements, as indicated by their released information.
G-Star 2023 (Image courtesy of G-Star Organizing Committe)
A recent “2023 Game User Survey” by the Korea Creative Content Agency reveals a lack of trust among players regarding information about randomized in-game items provided by companies, with only about a fifth expressing confidence in such systems.
It remains to be seen whether developers in the gaming industry can regain user trust by innovating their business models to align with the novelty of their games. This shift away from chance-based monetization towards user satisfaction marks a significant turn in the gaming landscape, reflecting the evolving needs and expectations of gamers.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
