Major game companies are skipping Korea's largest gaming expo, G-Star, to participate in Gamescom, the world's largest gaming event, in Germany. As the share of overseas sales for domestic game companies increases, the stage for unveiling new titles and connecting with global users is shifting from Korea to international venues.
According to the gaming industry on August 25, Krafton, NCSOFT, Nexon, and Pearl Abyss will showcase new titles at Gamescom 2026, which begins on August 26 in Cologne, Germany.
Krafton will present five titles, including an unreleased project from PUBG Studio, 'NO LAW', 'Project Zeta', 'Age Twister', and 'Tale: Unbound'. The company has assembled the most extensive lineup by including both self-developed games and publishing projects in collaboration with global developers.
NCSOFT will unveil three titles at the Gamescom opening event: 'Aion 2', 'Sinder City', and 'Project Bonfire'. 'Aion 2' is set for global early access in September, while 'Project Bonfire' will reveal its official title and key concepts for the first time at this event. 'Guild Wars 3', developed by North American studio ArenaNet, will be showcased in the B2B section.
After not participating in Gamescom last year, Nexon will set up a large booth through its subsidiary Embark Studios. While no new titles will be announced, the company will focus on its popular game 'Ark Raiders' during the exhibition.
Pearl Abyss, in collaboration with Samsung Electronics, will create an experience space for 'Crimson Desert'. The game is nominated in two categories at the Gamescom Awards: 'Epic' and 'Best PC Game'. Pearl Abyss will allow attendees to experience the game directly using Samsung's high-performance gaming monitors. Additionally, Kakao Games will introduce its subsidiary Ocean Drive Studio's new title 'God Save Birmingham', an open-world zombie survival simulator set in medieval England, without direct participation.
The decision by these major game companies to choose Gamescom over G-Star reflects a changing revenue structure.
Krafton and Pearl Abyss have already established overseas sales as a core revenue source, with Krafton's overseas sales accounting for 95.9% of its total revenue. Pearl Abyss reported that 91% of its sales in the second quarter of this year came from overseas, with North America and Europe making up 75% of that figure. The global success of 'Crimson Desert' has further underscored the importance of international markets.
Nexon has also seen rapid growth in sales from English-speaking regions following 'Ark Raiders'. NCSOFT recorded that overseas sales made up 52% of its total revenue in the second quarter, surpassing domestic sales for the first time.
The approach of these game companies to international expansion is evolving. Previously, they focused on supporting various languages, but now they are diversifying content and operational strategies to consider regional cultures, preferences, play styles, and community characteristics. This expansion not only increases engagement with overseas users but also enhances collaboration with international business partners.
An industry insider stated, “As the primary revenue sources for domestic game companies shift overseas, the stage for unveiling new titles and gauging user reactions is also moving to global gaming expos. To achieve success in international markets, it is essential to go beyond language translation and tailor content to regional tastes and cultures, along with continuous updates and local community management.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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