[Weekend Gaming] Which Korean Games Can You Check Out at G-STAR This Year?

Krafton Unveils a Five-Title Lineup Under the "Krafton Now" Concept
Webzen Prepares a 100-Booth Exhibition Space
Smilegate to Showcase "Miraesi: The Invisible Future"

South Korea's largest gaming exhibition, G-STAR 2026, is about 10 days away. This year, with the exception of Krafton and Webzen, most of the country's major game companies, including the 3N companies (Nexon, NC, and Netmarble), have not set up standalone booths in the B2C hall, where they can meet users. Overseas game companies have filled the space instead. Visitors can still explore a diverse lineup from Korean game companies at events such as the game developer conference G-CON 2026 and the joint startup pavilion.

Key visual for G-STAR 2026. Courtesy of the G-STAR Organizing Committee.

Krafton and Webzen Set Up 100 Booths Each... Smilegate to Appear at Google Booth

According to the gaming industry on November 7, Krafton and Webzen will be located inside Exhibition Hall 1, the heart of G-STAR. Participating in G-STAR for the 10th consecutive year, Krafton has unveiled a lineup of five titles under the concept "Krafton Now." Alongside a large-scale experience zone for global hit "PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS," the company will open a demo station for the new class "Tugwi" in "Tarae: Unbound," a dark fantasy action role-playing game (RPG) inspired by Eastern mythology, for the first time. The two-player cooperative adventure "Age Twister" is also worth looking out for. Merchandise for each IP will be available as well.

Webzen has also prepared an exhibition space spanning 100 booths. The company will unveil for the first time "Became the Tyrant of the Defense Game: Last Stay," a strategy RPG based on a popular webtoon, and will also release a teaser video for "Mu Theos," a new title in its flagship IP lineup. In addition, titles in development, including "Terbis," "R2 Origin," "Metin2," "Shot Online," and "SUN: New Edition," all based on established IPs, will feature fan-service events and activities.

Smilegate will introduce its new subculture RPG "Miraesi: The Invisible Future" to Korean users through the Google Play booth. Elsewhere, mid-sized game company Team42 will make a splash with a large booth, while Neowiz and Pearl Abyss will participate in the "2026 Game Culture Festival" at Exhibition Hall 2.

Krafton's booth at G-STAR 2026. Courtesy of Krafton.

From the Technical Know-How Behind "Crimson Desert" to a Discussion on Development in the AI Era

Pearl Abyss's "Crimson Desert," which has sold 6 million copies worldwide since its release in March this year and is considered a strong contender for the 2026 Korea Game Awards, will meet visitors at G-CON, the main conference. At a session on November 19, the first day of G-STAR, Pearl Abyss developers will take the stage to share with Korean users and developers how they brought the vast continent of Pywel to life and the know-how they gained in creating an open world powered by their proprietary engine.

This year's G-CON is packed with special sessions featuring leading Korean game developers, alongside renowned figures from around the world. At the opening day's keynote, Shift Up CEO Kim Hyungtae will take the stage with Shinji Mikami, the creator of "Resident Evil," for a discussion on "Game Production in 2027 and Development in the AI Era." Jo Yonghee, the director overseeing development of Capcom's highly anticipated "Pragmata," will also share approaches to character design across media at G-CON.

Lee Junho, creative director of Nexon's hardcore action RPG "The First Berserker: Khazan," will speak on game design at "Salon de G," a new program where speakers can interact freely with visitors. A G-STAR Organizing Committee representative explained, "This year's G-CON will explore game narratives beyond stories and dialogue, highlighting the many elements that make up a game, including its world and characters, art and music, systems, and player choices."

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