[Game With In] Webtoon games pouring into the market... Own IP development is missing

The domestic game industry is busy expanding its lineup by releasing webtoon and animation-based games one after another.

On the other hand, self-developed IPs that have been loved for a long time are being pushed out of the picture, and doubts are growing among fans.

◇ Everyone in the gaming industry brings webtoon and animation IP

Netmarble [251270] is considered to be the most active company in gamifying webtoon and animation IP.

Netmarble unveiled the webtoon-based game 'Only I Level Up: Karma' and the animation-based game 'Shangri-La Frontier' as its next works at this year's Tokyo Game Show (TGS).

'Only I Level Up: Karma' is a spin-off work that reinterprets 'Only I Level Up: ARISE', which was introduced by Netmarble in 2024, and is based on the Korean webtoon and web novel 'Only I Level Up'.

‘Shangri-La Frontier’ is also based on a web novel that was serialized in Japan and made into an animation.

Nexon is also planning to release its massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) ‘Tempal: Overdrive’ at the end of this month.

'Tempal' is based on the Korean game fantasy web novel and webtoon of the same name, and is a Korean MMORPG with automatic combat and a competitive structure between users.

Webzen [069080] will present 'Became the Tyrant of Defense Games: LAST STAGE' at G-STAR 2026, Korea's largest game show, which is scheduled to open next week.

This is also a work based on a web novel set in the game world.

Com2uS [078340] is also aggressively expanding its lineup by starting game development based on new IPs based on Japanese comics and animations, such as 'Dowon Dark Demon', 'Gachi Akuta', and 'After leaving the A-rank party, I aim for the depths of the labyrinth with my former students.'

◇ Neglected in inheriting its own IP… It is rare for there to be more than 3 episodes.

The problem is that among the webtoon and animation-based games that have been released so far, it is rare to find a game that has established itself in the market for a long period of time.

Until now, many works based on webtoons and animations were only a flash hit at the beginning of their release and failed to gain sustained growth momentum.

Even 'Only I Level Up: ARISE', which beat prominent works such as 'Stella Blade' and 'First Descendants' and received the Presidential Award at the 2024 Korea Game Awards, does not account for a large portion of Netmarble's performance as of now, two years after its release.

They are active in bringing in IP from outside the game, but they are neglectful in managing and passing on their own good IP.

It is not uncommon for older games, which have a small number of users but are remembered by those who have been in service for a long time, to be discontinued due to lack of profitability. The development of remakes and sequels is also neglected.

There are some inevitable aspects as live service games are mainstream rather than package games, but even so, there are not many IPs that are expanded and inherited for a long time with more than three games released.

On the other hand, the new games that are heating up the global gaming industry starting in the second half of this year are masterpieces that come out frequently in series as they have a long history.

Nintendo's 'The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time' renovated the game that came out 28 years ago with modern graphics and controls, selling over 5 million copies worldwide in just 4 days.

Bandai Namco's 'Ace Combat' received good reviews by releasing its ninth numbering title 'Ace Combat 8: Wings of Sieve' to celebrate the 31st anniversary of the series.

'GTA 6', which is scheduled to be released next week, has also emerged as the most anticipated game of the year, with each series innovating the game since the first game in 1997.

These franchises also had their own ups and downs, but each developed its own characteristics and became an irreplaceable IP in the genre.

I think one of the causes of the ‘crisis of Korean games’ that many people talk about today is the lack of its own IP that has been built up over a long period of time.