Netmarble Targets 'P2E' Market… Bang Jun-hyuk Says "Regulatory Direction Must Change"

Bang Jun-hyuk, Chairman of Netmarble, is answering questions from the press at the 5th NTP (Netmarble Together with Press), Netmarble Vision and New Game Development Presentation held on the morning of the 27th at G-Tower in Guro-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Netmarble announced its entry into the play-to-earn (P2E) game market utilizing non-fungible tokens (NFTs) by unveiling more than 20 new games.

On the morning of the 27th, Netmarble held the 'Netmarble NTP' at its headquarters in Guro-gu, Seoul, where it presented its future vision and new lineup. NTP is a Netmarble vision and business presentation event held for media and related parties. This year marks the 5th NTP, which was held again after about four years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Netmarble announced that it will target the market by expanding PC and console platforms and releasing sequels using its own intellectual property (IP). Nearly half of the 20 new games incorporate blockchain technology. In particular, it revealed plans to launch the sequel to the NFT-based P2E game 'Modoo Marble' globally, signaling a full-scale push into the P2E market.

20 New Titles Expanding Platform Reach Unveiled

In his welcoming remarks, Netmarble CEO Young-sik Kwon said, "The often-mentioned weakness of Netmarble, the lack of proprietary IP, stemmed from the company's origins as a publisher," adding, "Among the major development lineups announced today, 75% are proprietary or co-developed IPs, and we will actively pursue transformation into a strong IP-holding company."

CEO Kwon's vision of becoming a "strong IP-holding company" includes not only proprietary IP games prepared by Netmarble’s development subsidiaries but also plans to grow IPs through collaborations with web novel, webtoon, and content production companies. Through the event, Netmarble showcased for the first time 20 multiplatform games currently in development, including 15 proprietary or co-developed IP games and 5 external IP games.

In addition to various genres of proprietary and co-developed IPs, Netmarble plans to actively expand its platform diversity beyond mobile to include PC and console platforms.

CEO Kwon stated, “Most of the games introduced today are being developed as multiplatform titles that can run simultaneously on PC and mobile. The action battle games ‘Squad Battle’ and ‘Overprime’ will be released on the PC platform via Steam, and ‘The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin’ will be launched not only on mobile but also on PC and consoles.”

Chairman Bang Jun-hyuk: "Netmarble’s New Challenge is Blockchain and Metaverse"

On the same day, Netmarble Chairman Jun-hyuk Bang presented new challenge keywords for Netmarble, such as blockchain and metaverse, and explained detailed strategies.

Regarding blockchain, Chairman Bang said, “Netmarble will pursue a two-track strategy for its blockchain business,” adding, “Netmarble aims to integrate blockchain centered on games, while Netmarble F&C will implement a model combining blockchain with games and content.”

Regarding the metaverse, Chairman Bang forecasted, “The normalization of non-face-to-face interactions has increased the need for virtual reality, and industrialization will actively proceed in the future,” and evaluated, “Game companies are already implementing metaverse content through existing MMORPG games, making it advantageous to build a metaverse ecosystem.”

Chairman Bang declared, “Netmarble will fuse the metaverse with blockchain to create a second reality world, not just a virtual world,” and announced, “We will actively enter the metaverse industry using 'Metanomics' and 'Metahuman' technologies.”

'Metanomics' will be realized through Netmarble’s new title ‘Modoo Marble: Meta World.’ This game is an NFT game that builds a real estate-based metaverse platform, characterized by economic activities using virtual real estate. 'Metahuman' refers to content utilizing metahumans such as Jena, Lina, and Siwoo. Netmarble plans to actively use metahumans in blockchain games, webtoons, web novels, and various other content, ultimately aiming to build a ‘metahuman-based platform.’

"P2E Regulation Direction Must Change"

Chairman Bang also voiced calls for regulatory easing on P2E games, which are currently impossible to service domestically due to regulations. He stated, “The right direction is to allow launches while strengthening regulations on side effects.” He added, “Many game companies worldwide are preparing blockchain-based games, and it is unfortunate that only Korea cannot provide these services amid the global trend.”

He also revealed plans for the re-listing of Netmarble Neo, which had withdrawn from preparations for an IPO last year. Chairman Bang explained, “Netmarble Neo did not meet expected results, but if the performance of games released this year is positive, we will proceed with the listing.” He continued, “Netmarble F&C is also preparing various businesses, and if tangible results are actually produced, it will be listed,” adding, “It is not about listing just because one game succeeds; the success of sequels is important.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.