Throne and Liberty Developer Hit with Layoffs

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Throne and Liberty Developer Hit with Layoffs

Key Takeaways

  • The Throne and Liberty developer, NCSoft, has announced layoffs due to financial troubles.
  • The company will undergo a restructuring and aims to focus on developing new intellectual properties in the future by collaborating with independent studios.
  • Despite the initial success of Throne and Liberty, NCSoft emphasizes the need for reorganization for the long-term survival of the studio.

As a seasoned gamer who has witnessed the rise and fall of numerous gaming giants over the past three decades, I can’t help but feel a pang of melancholy upon hearing about NCSoft’s recent layoffs. The studio behind some of my all-time favorite games like Lineage, Blade & Soul, Aion, and Guild Wars, is now grappling with financial troubles that have forced it to make difficult decisions.

NCSoft, the South Korean game developer responsible for the recently launched “Throne and Liberty,” has acknowledged a series of layoffs as part of a company-wide restructuring, owing to ongoing financial hardships. This move impacts multiple departments within the studio, making for a tough time, even with the initial positive reception of “Throne and Liberty.

Established back in 1997, NCSoft has been responsible for creating several MMORPGs throughout the years, including titles such as Lineage, Blade & Soul, Aion, and Guild Wars. NCSoft enjoys a strong reputation in major markets like Korea, Japan, Europe, and North America. In addition to its online games, the company has recently ventured into mobile game development. However, even with past achievements, NCSoft is currently grappling with financial difficulties that are impacting the gaming industry as a whole.

Based on a report by Yonhap News Agency from South Korea, NCSoft’s joint CEOs, Taek-Jin Kim and Byung-Moo Park, acknowledged their sense of accountability regarding the layoffs. They attributed the company’s financial struggles to a management style that centralized too many decisions and resources at headquarters, ultimately hampering the company’s overall performance. This structure also suppressed the creativity and innovative spirit that NCSoft was previously renowned for, leading them to re-evaluate their approach.

NCSoft Lays Off Employees as Part of a Restructuring Process Due to Financial Issues

Despite investigating various methods to address its financial troubles, the management concluded that a substantial corporate overhaul was essential, following the lead of numerous other studios who had let go of workers in 2024. This restructuring involves canceling certain projects, trimming non-competitive support services, and reducing staff numbers. However, NCSoft emphasized that this necessary reorganization is vital for the company’s longevity, while expressing its dedication to offering assistance and compensation to those impacted by these changes.

The unexpected job cuts occurred despite the early triumphs of Throne and Liberty, a game that saw rapid popularity following its October 2024 launch. On Steam, it swiftly outperformed well-known titles like PUBG and GTA 5. In fact, within its first week on Steam, Throne and Liberty amassed more than 300,000 players and ranked among the top five most-played games on the platform.

The game’s triumph wasn’t confined to Steam; it attracted over 3 million players across various platforms like PlayStation and Xbox, underscoring why this moment might be ideal for diving into Throne and Liberty. As the studio undergoes restructuring, they aim to concentrate on developing original content in the future by collaborating with independent studios. This strategy will provide them with greater agility and stimulate their creativity.

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2024-10-23 00:53