NCsoft Experiences Turbulent Times News

Korean-based MMO developer/publisher NCsoft has today revealed that it's in something of a turbulent period, with its financial performance in recent months falling massively short on past periods, and the numbers of Tabula Rasa and Guild Wars forecast to fall short of expectations by the end of year.

Despite a slight increase in year-on-year sales of 7% to 81.20bn KRWon (£41.7 million), the publisher saw massive drops in operating income, pre-tax income, and net income of 25%, 31%, and 42%. Quarter-on-quarter operating income results proved even steeper, with a 60% drop in fortunes.

Much of the decrease was attributed to the lack of a Guild Wars release, although the anticipated sequel is due to hit in 2009. NCsoft's next triple-A MMO, Aion, has just completed its closed beta period, with an open beta expected during the fourth quarter of 2008. A western launch for the game has been given a broad "three to six month period" after it hits Korea.

But rumours suggest that the future may be so rosy for some of NCsoft's current crop of titles, including Richard 'One small step for man' Garriott's Tabula Rasa. According to US blog Joystiq, sources from within NCsoft North America are suggesting that the hyped MMO will shift to Arena.net, with NCsoft Austin rumoured to be closing its doors. The sci-fi MMO may also be fated to follow Auto Assault if its performance doesn't pick up in the next twelve months, with the same report suggesting that relations between NCsoft and the Garriotts have been less than cordial.

NCsoft Europe has issued a 'no comment' to TVG when asked about the future of both Austin and Tabula Rasa; expect some clarification in the next few hours.

What is known is that a series of 'substantial changes' are expected to arrive for Tabula Rasa this week.

NCsoft's CFO Jaeho Lee said, "In order to maintain our ongoing development cycles and a diverse game portfolio, multiple games are in development currently across all NCsoft studios. We anticipate publishing these new titles within the next two to three years, during which we believe we'll maintain NCsoft's status as a leader in the global on-line game market."