NCSoft company history begins with its founding in March 1997 by Kim Taek Jin. The Early Beginnings and First Milestones
NCSoft launched its first game, Lineage, in September 1998. This marked a significant milestone in the gaming industry. In April 2001, the company expanded to the United States by establishing a subsidiary called NC Interactive (later known as NCSoft West) based in Austin, Texas. This expansion followed NCSoft's acquisition of Destination Games, led by Richard Garriott and Robert Garriott.
Major Game Releases in 2004
In 2004, NCSoft released two major MMORPGs, Lineage II and City of Heroes, solidifying its position as a leader in the genre. More recently, the company launched the MMORPG Throne and Liberty in December 2023, showcasing its continued global presence.
European Expansion
NCSoft Europe was established in July 2004 as a wholly owned subsidiary, with its headquarters in Brighton, England. On February 4, 2005, the company introduced City of Heroes to the European market. It later extended services for popular games like WildStar and Blade & Soul.
ArenaNet Collaborations
In April 2005, NCSoft published ArenaNet’s Guild Wars Prophecies, followed by the campaigns Factions, Nightfall, and the expansion Eye of the North. Although NCSoft initially published Guild Wars 2, it ceased being the publisher in 2015 with the release of Heart of Thorns.
Establishing NCSoft West
On September 10, 2008, NCSoft consolidated its western operations under NCSoft West, headquartered in Seattle, Washington. In 2021, Jeffrey Anderson, a veteran game designer, became the CEO of NCSoft West, overseeing operations across the Americas, EMEA, and Oceania regions.
Strategic Acquisitions
Acquisitions have played a significant role in NCSoft's growth. In 2011, talks with SK Telecom led to the 2012 acquisition of Ntreev Soft, where NCSoft purchased 76% of its stock for ₩108 billion (around $96.7 million). That same year, NCSoft also acquired Hotdog Studio, a mobile game developer based in Seoul.
Blade & Soul and Nexon Partnership
In 2012, NCSoft launched Blade & Soul, its first MMORPG since Aion in 2008. That same year, Nexon acquired a 14.7% stake in NCSoft for $688 million, though it sold its shares in 2015.
Expanding into Entertainment
In 2020, NCSoft entered the entertainment sector by founding Klap Co., Ltd. The company launched the UNIVERSE platform in 2021, further broadening its influence beyond gaming.
Recent Developments
Recent highlights include a 2023 strategic partnership with Sony Interactive Entertainment. In 2022, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia acquired a 9.26% stake, making it NCSoft’s second-largest shareholder after Kim Taek Jin. Despite challenges like winding down Ntreev Soft in 2024, NCSoft continues to thrive as a leader in gaming and entertainment.
On October 25, 2024, NCSoft received approval from the Chinese government for its online games, solidifying its position in international markets.
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