MMORPGs "Soul" and "Zeus" Score Consecutive Hits... Anticipated Titles Like "Eclipse" on the Way

"Zeus" by Com2us Maintains Top Revenue on Google Play

Upcoming Launches Include "Eclipse" and "Night Crows W"

Lower-Pressure MMORPGs on the Rise; Operational Capability Is Key

In the domestic mobile game market, which is dominated by subculture and China-made strategy games, new locally developed massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) are attracting attention by achieving notable commercial success.

Representative image of 'Zeus God of Oman'. Provided by Com2uS

According to Mobile Index on September 8, "Zeus: The God of Oman," launched by Com2us on August 26, claimed the top spot in revenue on both major app markets just 18 hours after its release and has maintained its ranking on Google Play Store for over ten days. Although it slipped to third place on Apple's App Store, it continues to demonstrate strong early performance. Following Netmarble's "Soul: Enchant," which previously achieved positive results by incorporating subculture elements, the MMORPG genre is gaining renewed momentum.

This strong performance within the genre is especially remarkable given the recent trends in the domestic gaming market. There has been ongoing skepticism about MMORPGs, as excessive competition and pressure to stay logged in have driven many users away.

To avoid falling behind in the current market trend, recent popular titles have adopted new strategies. They are positioning themselves as so-called "MMO Light" games, targeting busy modern audiences. Features such as "AI Mode," which allows characters to grow even when the game is not running, and the convenience of idle gameplay have been boldly introduced.

Amid this renewed interest in MMORPGs, Smilegate and Wemade are also preparing to release their own titles. Smilegate will launch "Eclipse: The Awakening" on September 10, a game designed to reduce the burden of continuous login. Players can choose their own growth paths, and the game offers up to 24 hours of offline progression. With over 1 million pre-registrations, user interest is high. Wemade also plans to release "Night Crows W," leveraging its intellectual property strength by the end of the year. The original "Night Crows," launched in 2023, has become a hit with cumulative domestic and international revenue reaching 750 billion won and a total user base of 14 million to date.

Despite rising revenue, the shares of these game companies have failed to gain momentum. In the case of Com2us, even with "Zeus: The God of Oman" topping the sales charts, its stock price has dropped below the level before the new title’s release. Although some securities firms have raised their target prices, the prevailing view in the market is that the current popularity is mainly a result of the initial launch effect and the activity of a limited group of heavy users.

A representative from one game company commented, "For long-term success, detailed live operation capabilities and content expansion must be supported," adding, "Maintaining a balanced ecosystem that allows free and low-spending users to settle in is essential."

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