The quarterly figures of the Korea MMO specialist NCSoft for Q4/2017 are here. They show that classic PC MMORPGs like Blade and Soul, Guild Wars 2, or Aion are doing well, but the big money is now being made with mobile titles like Lineage M.
NCSoft’s figures for Q4 2017 are here, and they also release the annual figures.
This is how Blade and Soul, Aion, and Guild Wars 2 performed in Q4 2017
For us in the West, three MMORPGs from NCSoft are particularly relevant:
- Guild Wars 2 had a strong quarter, as the expansion “Path of Fire,” released on September 22, had a significant impact – compared to Q4 2016, there is a noticeable increase.
- Blade and Soul is stable, with almost no changes compared to last year.
- Aion is also stable, but it shows a slight decline compared to the same quarter last year.
Over three years, the level of the MMORPGs remains relatively stable
However, when looking at the revenues of the three MMORPGs throughout the year, it appears that these three MMORPGs may not have a great future.
Blade and Soul is the only one of the three MMORPGs that is doing better now than two years ago, thanks to the Western release in 2016. Aion and Guild Wars 2 are stable, but their age is becoming apparent.
Even though Guild Wars 2 is holding up well: in 2015, the MMORPG was a bit stronger than in 2017. Back then, NCSoft had already stated that they were not satisfied with the performance of the then-expansion “Heart of Thorns”.
There is still no trace of WildStar, the other MMORPG by NCSoft, in the financial report, just like in previous years.
The MMORPG that is strongly suffering at NCSoft is the PC MMORPG oldie Lineage. It seems that with the release of the mobile version Lineage M, it is slowly going out.
The shift to mobile is ongoing at NCSoft
NCSoft is currently undergoing a transition from PC to mobile. Games like Lineage M are the big earners. The figures from PC MMORPGs pale in comparison.
In the future, several mobile titles from established PC franchises are planned: For Lineage, Blade and Soul, and Aion, mobile sequels are in development. Several are planned:
- With Lineage M a first mobile hit has been made in Korea.
- Following that, they will release Blade & Soul 2, AION Tempest, AION Legion, and Lineage 2 M. Four “new” mobile MMORPGs based on well-known PC franchises are in the making.
- They are also continuing to work with Netmarble, allowing them to develop a further Blade&Soul mobile MMORPG.
PC players can look forward to Project TL, the unofficial Lineage 3.
More about Project TL:
This is how Project TL and Lost Ark want to save the PC MMORPG
