Netmarble receives strong global hit in 2H
Netmarble aims to turn around in the global market in 2H. We are determined to overturn concerns over sluggish earnings since the beginning of this year as a new global hit.
According to industry sources, Netmarble released 'King of Fighters: All-Star (King of Fighters)' and 'Phantom Gate' in July. On October 18th, it launched the 'Phantom Gate', a mobile role-playing game (RPG), in 155 countries around the world except for China. Netmarble is the first game of global service in the second half of this year. King of the case was released only in Japan last July. The company plans to launch King of Global service within the year.
Netmarble plans to make up for its sluggish earnings since 1Q09 as a global service. The company recorded sales of 507.4 billion won and 500.8 billion won in 1Q and 2Q, respectively. This is a decrease of 26.2% and 7.3% respectively. Especially, the advance reservation of "Blade & Soul (Revolution)" expected in the third quarter was delayed due to the development schedule, which also caused market concern. Netmarble shares fell 11.27 percent from the previous day to 126,000 won on the 9th of the month after the announcement of 2Q results. The index has dropped to a record low of 125,500 won. Kwon Young-Sik, co-president of Kwon Young-sik Netmarble, said, "We are very concerned about the market due to the postponement of the launch of the game," said Phantom Gate, King of the World and BTS World in the second half of the year.
Recently, Netmarble has maintained its global service strategy. The company, which has achieved success in Lineage 2 Revolution global service since its launch in Southeast Asia last June, is aggressively pursuing global services. KAMAM, JAM CITY, and is expanding its service area to North America and Europe. Overseas sales accounted for only 71% of sales in the second quarter of the year. Since then, it has maintained 68 ~ 71%. Overseas sales accounted for 71% of sales in 2Q.
Netmarble's overseas sales portion is relatively high compared to competitors called '3N' in the second quarter. Nexon, which ranks first and second in the game industry with Netmarble, accounted for 68% of overseas sales in 2Q. NCsoft recorded sales of KRW 436.5 billion in the second quarter, including KRW 295.9 billion in domestic sales, which accounted for 68% of domestic sales.
Netmarble will show BTS World and 'Rich Ground' in the fourth quarter. In particular, BTS World has embarked on the game as a "BTS" that has grown into a global idol group. More than 10,000 bulletin board boycott monopoly pictorials and more than 100 images will be provided with live-action cinematic games. Netmarble is committed to global success with its publishing capability. "Superstar BTS," which was launched last month by Dartcom Soft, using the Bangladeshi boys' intellectual property (IP) rights, posted 10 million global downloads in nine months. Rich Ground is a global version of the Casual board game "Marvel of All" that Netmarble has been serving for seven years. Competition with users around the world is possible.
An industry official said, "There is a lot of interest in the industry where BTS are popular worldwide and how BTS World will affect the game market." "The synergy between Netmarble and Bangladeshi Boy Scouts will be demonstrated."