The Korean game studio NCSOFT is making a strong comeback. The company just announced impressive sales and a huge jump in profits for the second quarter, continuing a major turnaround after a tough year. This is especially good news because the second quarter is usually a slow season for game companies, making the positive results even more surprising.
The company’s rebound comes after it posted operating losses in the second half of last year, its first loss in 26 years. The surprising growth comes from the company’s classic games. Sales for its PC games jumped, largely thanks to its popular online game AION, which saw its revenue soar by 53% from the previous quarter.
On the mobile side, sales also grew as Lineage 2M expanded its service to Southeast Asia. An analyst noted that this is a great sign, as it looks like the company’s older games have finally stopped declining and found a stable audience.
With its classic games now on solid ground, NCSOFT is pinning its future hopes on its next big release: AION 2. The sequel to its 2008 hit is set to launch later this year and is being developed as a more action-packed online role-playing game.
The company is betting heavily on its success, saying that a hit launch will have a positive impact on next year’s new games and even help them attract new talent. The message is clear: the company’s comeback momentum now hinges on AION 2 being a blockbuster hit.
