NCsoft Corp (XKRX:036570) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Challenges with ...

In This Article:

  • Revenue: KRW360.3 billion, down 9% YoY.

  • Operating Profit: KRW5.2 billion, positive QoQ, down 80% YoY.

  • Pretax Income: KRW31.3 billion, positive QoQ, down 60% YoY.

  • Net Income: KRW37.5 billion, positive QoQ, down 34% YoY.

  • Mobile Game Sales: KRW206.3 billion, down 4% QoQ.

  • Lineage W Sales: Increased 8% QoQ.

  • Lineage M Sales: Decreased 7% QoQ.

  • Lineage 2M Sales: Decreased 8% QoQ.

  • Online PC Game Sales: KRW83.3 billion, down 11% QoQ.

  • Royalty Sales: KRW45 billion, down 39% QoQ.

  • Operating Costs: KRW355.1 million, down 13% QoQ and 5% YoY.

  • Labor Cost: KRW187.2 billion, down 40% QoQ and 8% YoY.

  • Marketing Expenses: KRW13.3 billion, down 26% QoQ, up 93% YoY.

  • Depreciation: KRW25.1 million, down 3% QoQ and 9% YoY.

  • Other Expenses: KRW149.2 million, down 10% QoQ and 4% YoY.

Release Date: May 14, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • NCsoft Corp (XKRX:036570) reported a positive quarter-over-quarter operating profit of KRW5.2 billion, driven by reduced severance payments.

  • The company turned profitable quarter-over-quarter with a net income of KRW37.5 billion.

  • Lineage W mobile game sales increased by 8% quarter-over-quarter, indicating strong performance in this segment.

  • The company has outlined a robust sales growth strategy, aiming for sales in the range of KRW1.4 trillion to KRW1.5 trillion per annum using legacy IPs.

  • NCsoft Corp plans to release four new titles, including AION 2 and LLL, from the second half of this year to early next year, which could drive future growth.

Negative Points

  • Year-over-year, sales were 9% lower due to a decline in flagship PC and mobile games.

  • Operating profit dropped 80% year-over-year due to decreased sales.

  • Net income was down 34% year-over-year, impacted by non-recurring gains from financial assets and foreign currencies.

  • Mobile game sales decreased by 4% quarter-over-quarter, with Lineage M and Lineage 2M experiencing declines.

  • Online PC game sales decreased by 11% quarter-over-quarter, affected by diminished Guild Wars 2 expansion sales.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Regarding AION 2, how is this game different from existing legacy IPs, and what business models or monetization schemes does it have? Additionally, how does AION 2 plan to address the negative reputation of Lineage-like games? A: (Byeong-Moo Park, Co-CEO) AION 2 inherits the spirit of the original AION but incorporates technical advancements. It strengthens PvE and raid aspects, differing from Lineage-like games. While it will have pay-to-win elements, it won't follow the typical Lineage monetization scheme. We are confident about AION 2 and will introduce detailed features through live streaming and FGT events to gather feedback and insights.