The landscape of South Korean game development, long dominated by online and free-to-play models, is witnessing a notable transformation. A recent report by Wesley LeBlanc in the final issue of Game Informer highlights a growing interest among developers at various studios, including Round8 Studio, Shift Up, and Pearl Abyss, in creating single-player experiences for PC and console platforms. This shift appears to resonate with players both domestically and internationally.
LeBlanc’s inquiry into this trend revealed that studios are increasingly venturing into the realm of single-player titles. Notable releases such as Round8 Studio’s Lies of P, Shift Up’s Stellar Blade (in collaboration with Sony Interactive Entertainment), and Pearl Abyss’ anticipated Crimson Desert exemplify this new direction. Even established online and mobile publishers are diversifying their offerings, with Nexon subsidiary Neople preparing to launch the single-player game The First Berserker: Khazan, while NCSoft plans to bring the free-to-play PC title Throne and Liberty to consoles this September.
Developers from these studios have confirmed to LeBlanc that this trend is not merely a passing phase; rather, it indicates a significant shift towards the “traditional” console and PC market, which has often been perceived as stagnant in the West. The motivations behind this transition are multifaceted, with a common theme emerging: players are eager for new and engaging experiences.
South Korean developers see market shifts across the globe and at home
From an economic standpoint, the expansion into single-player games offers South Korean developers access to new international markets. Jason Park, CEO of Round8 Studio, articulated this perspective, noting that the audience for single-player games on console and PC in South Korea is limited and unlikely to grow. He emphasized that Lies of P was crafted with a global audience in mind.
Similarly, Kim Hyung-tae, CEO of Shift Up and director of Stellar Blade, echoed Park’s sentiments, revealing that only 5 percent of the sales for the PlayStation 5 exclusive title originated from South Korea. He acknowledged the stagnant console market share in the country but expressed optimism about the potential growth of single-player PC games, hinting at a possible PC port for Stellar Blade.
While some developers perceive limited growth in the domestic market, others are observing shifts within the region itself. Jin Won Choi, director of Lies of P, noted a significant change in the types of games being developed by students at universities, with only one out of 17 student groups focusing on mobile games during a recent showcase.
Hyung-tae attributed the shift in South Korea to demographic changes among mobile gamers, suggesting that older players, often referred to as “middle-aged,” are more inclined to engage with grind-based monetization models prevalent in popular mobile games. He pointed out that this trend has persisted for the past two decades, making it increasingly challenging to attract younger audiences.
Contrarily, Jeonghee Jin, CEO of Pearl Abyss America, challenged the notion that console growth in South Korea is stunted, estimating a 4-5 percent increase in market share since the launch of the PlayStation 4. She highlighted that South Korean developers only began creating console games during that generation.
Hyung-tae further elaborated on the complexities of developing Stellar Blade, describing the process as “difficult” and requiring the team to learn many aspects from the ground up. Regardless of the underlying factors propelling the rise of single-player games, it is clear that South Korean developers and industry professionals are re-evaluating their approach to game development.
While this report sheds light on the evolving dynamics of the South Korean gaming landscape, it is worth noting that GameStop did not publish this story on its website before the outlet’s closure. For those interested in exploring LeBlanc’s full report, seeking out a physical copy of the final print edition of Game Informer is recommended.
