Is the MMORPG Black Desert Online (PC, PS4, Xbox One) increasingly aimed at Korean players? Current figures show that it is extremely successful here.
What do the numbers for Black Desert Online look like? According to a press release from the developer studio Pearl Abyss regarding the company’s anniversary, 40 million players from over 150 countries have registered for the MMORPG BDO – and for all platforms, including mobile.
Since the release of the MMORPG in late 2014, nearly 2 billion dollars in revenue have been generated.
Great success in the West
What is special about these numbers? Some may believe that BDO is particularly popular in Korea. However, as Pearl Abyss explains, 40% of the revenue comes from the USA and Europe.
The remaining 60% break down as follows:
- 26% from Korea
- 34% from other Asian countries like Japan and Taiwan
What does this mean? The numbers show that Black Desert Online is very successful internationally and is particularly well received in the West, namely in Europe and the USA, with many players willing to spend money in the in-game shop.
The largest MMORPGs in our region are:
- World of Warcraft
- The Elder Scrolls Online
- Final Fantasy 14 and
- Guild Wars 2
And now Black Desert Online apparently counts among the most popular and lucrative titles in the genre here. Therefore, it is also worth it for newcomers to take a look.
It even eclipses Star Wars: The Old Republic. At the end of October 2019, Electronic Arts announced in an Earnings Call, a conference call with investors, that SWTOR had generated almost one billion dollars in revenue since its release in late 2011.
This is what an analyst says about the situation: Daniel Ahmad, an analyst from the market research company Niko Partners, explains:
Pearl Abyss has built the Black Desert brand by offering an MMORPG with high-quality graphics, combat, and gameplay systems. The developer has been able to tailor the game to specific markets, with a free-to-play model in most Asian markets and a buy-to-play model in the West, which aligns with the preferences of each region.
Daniel Ahmad, Niko Partners
Pearl Abyss has also expanded the game to additional platforms, including consoles for the West and mobile phones for Asia and other markets.
Pearl Abyss seems to have succeeded in developing an MMORPG that is internationally very successful, as the developers cater to the preferences of the respective markets.
Can you understand why Black Desert Online is currently so successful in the West? Would you have expected this?
Do you want to know which MMORPGs are particularly popular in Germany? Then check out the MeinMMO list “These are the 15 most popular MMORPGs in Germany according to Google“.
