"After Germany, It's Japan"... Netmarble, Nexon, and Smilegate to Attend Tokyo Game Show

K-Games to Showcase Diverse Genres Including RPGs and Subculture
Debuts and Live Demos Aim to Impress Local Audiences and Gather Feedback

Following their participation in Germany last month, South Korean game companies are now heading to Japan. They will be taking part in the Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2025, which will be held in Chiba Prefecture from September 25 to 28. At the event, they plan to showcase a variety of titles across genres such as role-playing games (RPGs) and subculture, in Japan, which is considered one of the world's top three gaming markets alongside North America and China.

Netmarble 'Tokyo Game Show 2025' Booth Rendering. Provided by Netmarble

According to the gaming industry on September 17, Netmarble will participate in TGS for the first time since its founding, holding a production presentation for "The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin." The company will introduce behind-the-scenes stories about the game's development and its characters. Live in-game demonstrations will be conducted, and a special interview video with the original creator, Nakaba Suzuki, will also be released.

"The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin" is an open-world RPG based on the intellectual property (IP) of the popular manga "The Seven Deadly Sins," which has sold over 55 million copies worldwide. The game is set to launch simultaneously on console, PC, and mobile platforms in the second half of this year. Netmarble plans to provide hands-on opportunities for local visitors familiar with the original work and to collect their feedback.

Additionally, the company will unveil "MonGil: Star Dive," a sequel to the popular 2013 title "Monster Taming," which was also showcased at Gamescom last month. The game features high-quality storytelling powered by Unreal Engine 5.

Nexon will set up an exclusive booth at TGS to promote "The First Descendant." The booth will be filled with key game content, including a "lounge" area and the rideable "hover bike." The company will also introduce new IP collaborations launching this year, and developers will visit the booth to host live broadcasts.

Some game companies are returning to TGS after seven years. Smilegate will present its next-generation IP, "Chaos Zero Nightmare." The game combines RPG elements of character collection and development with a card-based roguelite battle system. Smilegate stated that the game offers a unique experience within the subculture genre. The official launch is scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year on PC and mobile platforms for the global market.

Other titles to be exhibited include "Future Vision: Invisible Future," which is currently in development for release next year, and the action roguelite "The Player Who Can't Level Up," based on a webtoon. A Smilegate representative said, "We have prepared a variety of programs so that visitors to our booth can try out the games and create unique memories. In particular, as 'Future Vision' will be playable for the first time at this TGS, we hope it receives a lot of attention."

In addition, NCSoft will showcase the new subculture title "Limit Zero Breakers," which features a story line rendered in an anime-inspired style and hunting action where players grow their characters by hunting various boss monsters. Ahead of its global release next year, the company is working to expand its engagement with users. Com2uS will unveil "Dowonamgwi: Crimson Inferno," based on the animation IP "Dowonamgwi," for the first time. The company recently launched the official Steam page and is preparing an optimized cross-play environment for both mobile and PC platforms. Pearl Abyss will present its AAA title "Crimson Desert," offering hands-on demos on 100 PCs.

The proactive participation of Korean game companies is due to the fact that, with the disappearance of E3, TGS has risen to become one of the three major global game shows, and mobile games are gaining traction in Japan, which has traditionally focused on console gaming. A representative from one game company said, "The potential for multi-platform growth is significant, so we are actively entering the mobile game market. It is important to make an impression and gather feedback in Japan, where there is a strong preference for domestic IP."