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'{{short description|South Korea-based video game developer and publisher}} {{Infobox company | name = NCSoft Corporation | logo = Nclogo leftright.svg | native_name = 엔씨소프트 | native_name_lang = ko | type = [[Public company|Public]] | traded_as = {{kse|036570}} | key_people = Taek Jin Kim <small>([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])</small> | industry = [[Video game industry|Video games]] | products = [[#Games|See complete list of products]] | revenue = {{decrease}} [[South Korean won|KR₩]] 1.701 trillion <small>(2019)</small><ref name="report">{{cite web|url=https://kr.ncsoft.com/en/ir/financialInfo/consolidation.do |title=2019 earnings release |publisher=ncsoft.com|access-date=2021-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121182107/https://kr.ncsoft.com/en/ir/financialInfo/consolidation.do|archive-date=2021-01-21|url-status=live}}</ref> | operating_income = {{decrease}} [[South Korean won|KR₩]] 478 billion <small>(2019)</small><ref name="report" /> | net_income = {{decrease}} [[South Korean won|KR₩]] 359 billion <small>(2019)</small><ref name="report" /> | assets = {{increase}} [[South Korean won|KR₩]] 3.346 trillion <small>(2019)</small><ref name="report" /> | equity = {{increase}} [[South Korean won|KR₩]] 2.512 trillion <small>(2019)</small><ref name="report" /> | num_employees = 3100 (including 16 global subsidiaries, as of Dec 31, 2015) | foundation = {{start date and age|1997|3|11|df=yes}} | founder = Taek Jin Kim | owner = {{plainlist| *[[Government of South Korea]] through the [[National Pension Service]] (11.7%) *Taek Jin Kim (12%) *Netmarble (8.9%)<ref name="Netmarble">{{cite web|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netmarble|access-date=August 13, 2021}}</ref>}} | location = [[Pangyo, Seongnam]], [[South Korea]]<ref name="HQ">{{cite web|url=http://www.ncsoft.net/global/aboutus/globalnetwork.aspx|title=NCsoft's Global Network|publisher=NCSoft|access-date=July 1, 2010}}</ref> {{collapsible list|title=[[Subsidiary|Subsidiary companies]]|1=[[Seattle, Washington]], [[United States|U.S.]]|2=[[Osaka, Japan]]|3=[[New Taipei|New Taipei, Taiwan]]|4=[[Shanghai, China]]|5=[[Brighton, England]]|6=[[Austin, Texas]], [[United States|U.S.]]|7=[[Orange County, California]], [[United States|U.S.]]|8=[[San Mateo, California]], [[United States|U.S.]]|9=[[Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam]] }} | homepage = http://www.ncsoft.com/ }} [[File:T.J. Kim (the CEO of NC Soft) from acrofan.jpg|thumbnail|T.J. Kim, the founder and CEO of NCSoft]] '''NCSoft Corporation''' ({{lang-ko|엔씨소프트}}, stylized as '''NCSOFT''') is an international [[video game developer]] and publisher headquartered in [[Pangyo, Seongnam]], [[South Korea]], primarily known for the distribution of [[massively multiplayer online role-playing game]]s such as ''[[Lineage (series)|Lineage]]'' and ''[[Guild Wars]]''. ==History== NCSoft was founded in March 1997 by T.J. Kim. In September 1998, NCSoft launched its first game ''[[Lineage (video game)|Lineage]]''. In April 2001 the company created a US [[subsidiary]] under the name NC Interactive (based in [[Austin, Texas]], and would later become NCSoft West) after acquiring [[Destination Games]], headed by [[Richard Garriott]] and [[Robert Garriott]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kr.ncsoft.com/korean/board/view.aspx?BID=mc_press&BC=&SYear=&SType=&SWord=&PNo=103&BNo=209|title=NCSoft|website=kr.ncsoft.com|language=ko|access-date=2018-04-09}}</ref> In 2004, NCSoft launched two MMORPGs, ''Lineage II'' and ''City of Heroes''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-04-28-three-ncsoft-mmo-anniversaries-today|title=Seven years of City of Heroes statistics|publisher=eurogamer.net|access-date=26 April 2015|date=2011-04-28}}</ref> The company formed NCSoft Europe in July 2004 as a wholly owned subsidiary with its main office in [[Brighton]], [[England]]. They brought ''[[City of Heroes]]'' to several European countries on February 4, 2005, and have since established European service for ''WildStar'' and ''Blade & Soul'' as well. {{Citation needed|date=November 2012}} On April 26, 2005, NCSoft published Arenanet's first MMO Guild Wars Prophecies as well as Arenanets follow up campaigns Factions and Nightfall and the expansion Eye of the North. NCSoft also published Guild Wars 2 but stopped being the publisher for Guild Wars 2 in 2015 with the release of Heart of Thorns. On September 10, 2008, NCSoft announced the formation of NCSoft West, a subsidiary which manages NCSoft's other western organizations, and established its headquarters for that subsidiary in Seattle, Washington.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kr.ncsoft.com/korean/aboutus/milestone.aspx|title=엔씨소프트의 역사|website=kr.ncsoft.com|language=ko|trans-title=History of NCsoft|access-date=2018-05-23}}</ref> On July 28, 2021, NCSoft announced that it was adding the talents of long-time video game industry veteran [[Jeffrey Anderson (game designer)]] to its executive leadership team as the new CEO of NCSoft West, overseeing its games business in the Americas, EMEA, and Oceana regions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/games-industry-veteran-jeffrey-anderson-joins-ncsoft-west-as-new-ceo-301343342.html|title=Games Industry Veteran Jeffrey Anderson Joins NCSOFT West as New CEO|publisher=PR Newswire|date=July 28, 2021|access-date=July 28, 2021}}</ref> On July 8, 2011, NCSoft started talks with [[SK Telecom]] to acquire Ntreev Soft Co., Ltd.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-07-08-ncsoft-in-talks-to-acquire-ntreev-soft-article|title=NCSoft in talks to acquire Ntreev Software|last=Weber|first=Rachel|publisher=Gamesindustry International|date=July 8, 2011|access-date=July 8, 2011}}</ref> The talks were expected to last less than a month, but it took seven for NCSoft to complete the acquisition; purchasing 76% of Ntreev's stock for {{KRW|108&nbsp;billion}} ({{US$|96.7&nbsp;million}}) on February 15, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/129364/League_of_Legends_and_NCsofts_Ntreev_acquisition_this_week_in_Korean_news.php#.UJzKbmcWBI4|title=League of Legends and NCsoft's Ntreev acquisition, this week in Korean news|last=Caoili|first=Eric|publisher=Gamasutra|date=February 17, 2012|access-date=February 17, 2012}}</ref> In 2011, NCSoft purchased Hotdog Studio, a mobile game studio based in Seoul that produces phone and smartphone titles such as ''Dark Shrine''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/36127/NCSoft_Purchases_SeoulBased_Mobile_Dev_Hotdog_Studio.php|title=NCSoft Purchases Seoul-Based Mobile Dev Hotdog Studio|last=Caoili|first=Eric|publisher=Gamasutra|date=July 27, 2011|access-date=July 27, 2011}}</ref> In June 2012, NCSoft launched ''Blade & Soul'', their first MMORPG since ''Aion'' launched in 2006. In 2012 [[Nexon Co. Ltd.|Nexon]] acquired a 14.7 percent interest in NCSoft for $688 million.<ref name="vb">{{cite news|url=https://venturebeat.com/2012/06/08/korean-game-togetherness-nexon-acquires-14-7-percent-of-ncsoft-for-688m/|newspaper=VentureBeat|title=Korean game togetherness: Nexon acquires 14.7 percent of NCsoft for $688M|first=Dean|last=Takahashi}}</ref> Nexon sold all of its shares of NCSoft in October 2015.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} On November 19, 2015, NCSoft West announced the formation of Iron Tiger studios, a developer based out of San Mateo, California focused on adapting Korean-made mobile titles for the West, as well as developing their own mobile games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://us.ncsoft.com/uk/about-us/#ncsoft_west_unveils_iron_tiger_studios|title=About Us|website=us.ncsoft.com|access-date=2017-05-30}}</ref> On August 21, 2020, NCSoft entered the Korean entertainment industry by launching a new subsidiary called "Klap Co., Ltd."<ref>[http://m.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20200821000568 NCSoft launches entertainment subsidiary Klap] (''[[The Korea Herald]]'', August 21, 2020)</ref> Klap and NCSoft launched the entertainment platform [[Universe (platform)|UNIVERSE]] on January 28, 2021.<ref>https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/universe-launches-4-million-users-ncsoft-ateez-kang-daniel-monstax-astro-new-fan-community-platform-2021</ref> ==Subsidiaries== ===Current=== * [[ArenaNet]] * Iron Tiger Studios *Klap (entertainment industry) * [[Ntreev Soft]] * [[NC Dinos]] ===Former=== * [[Carbine Studios]] * [[Destination Games]] * [[Paragon Studios]] ==Customer satisfaction== NCSoft and [[RightNow Technologies]] were both recognized in 2006 with the "Beagle Research 'Whiz Kids' Award for Innovative Embedded Customer Service Solution."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rightnow.com/crm-news-1357.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716191000/https://www.rightnow.com/crm-news-1357.php|title=RightNow and NCsoft Win - January 19 2006 - RightNow - RightNow|archive-date=16 July 2011}}</ref> for NCSoft's integration of RightNow's customer support software. ==Controversies== ===Stolen source code=== On April 27, 2007, [[Seoul]] Metropolitan Police said that seven former employees of NCSoft are suspected of selling the ''Lineage III'' [[source code]] to a major Japanese game company.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2007/04/former_ncsoft_e/|title=Former NCSoft Employees Suspected of Stealing Lineage III Code|date=30 April 2007|journal=WIRED}}</ref> According to NCSoft, the potential damages may exceed {{US$|1&nbsp;billion|link=yes}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200704/200704260026.html |title=Chosun Ilbo article |date=April 26, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918100712/http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200704/200704260026.html |archive-date=September 18, 2008 }}</ref> ===Worlds.com patent lawsuit=== [[Worlds chat|Worlds.com]] CEO Thom Kidrin claimed the idea of a "scalable virtual world with thousands of users" is patented by his organization<ref name="one">{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/worldscom-ceo-were-absolutely-going-to-sue-second-life-and-world-of-warcraft-2009-3|title=Worlds.com CEO: We're 'Absolutely' Going To Sue Second Life And World Of Warcraft|website=Business Insider}}</ref> and targeted NCSoft for patent infringement in 2008,<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2008/12/ncsoft-faces-pa/|title=NCsoft Faces Patent Infringement Suit|date=29 December 2008|journal=WIRED}}</ref> in what he says will be the first of many lawsuits against MMO developers.<ref name="one"/> On April 23, 2010, the Worlds.com case settled, but the terms of the settlement were kept confidential.{{Citation needed|date=November 2012}} On July 22, 2010, Worlds.com requested the case be reopened.{{Citation needed|date=November 2012}} ===Richard Garriott termination=== [[Richard Garriott]], lead developer of the failed MMORPG game ''[[Tabula Rasa (video game)|Tabula Rasa]]'', sued NCSoft for {{US$|24&nbsp;million}} in damages concerning his termination from the company. Garriott asserted in his suit that he was forced out of the company and was made to sell his 400,000 shares in NCSoft's stock, costing him millions of dollars. In addition, he claimed that the company was guilty of [[fraud]] by [[Forgery|forging]] his resignation announcement.<ref>massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/06/richard-garriott-blasts-ncsoft-with-24-million-lawsuit/</ref> On July 30, 2010, a jury in a [[Texas]] federal court awarded him {{US$|28&nbsp;million}} in damages. NCSoft described Garriott as someone "who keeps finding different ways to turn the company into his personal ATM," and that "Garriott left the company voluntarily to catch his ride to the International Space Station." Citing his questionable work ethic and the failure of his video game project despite an $84.4 million investment, NCSoft pulled the plug on the game after which Garriott announced he would be leaving the company. This came after he boarded a much-publicized news on his boarding of a Russian aircraft, which cost $30 million.<ref>{{cite news|title=Garriott wins $28 mil. in NCsoft lawsuit|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2010/07/123_70538.html|last=Kim|first=Tong-hyung|date=July 30, 2010}}</ref> Garriott again prevailed on appeal and NCSoft was required to pay an additional {{US$|4&nbsp;million}}, bringing the total damages awarded to Garriott to {{US$|32&nbsp;million}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Garriott wins appeal in NCsoft case|url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-5th-circuit/1583315.html|work=RICHARD GARRIOTT v. NCSoft CORPORATION|access-date=October 30, 2012}}</ref> ===Closure of Paragon Studios and ''City of Heroes''=== On August 31, 2012, NCSoft [[liquidated]] Paragon Studios and announced the closure of ''City of Heroes''. Over 21,000 players signed an online petition contesting the shut-down<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2012/09/27/save-coh-movement-sends-letters-to-ncsoft-executives-petition-p/|title=Save CoH movement invites NCsoft execs to play, petition passes 20,000 signatures|publisher=joystiq.com|date=September 27, 2012|access-date=November 10, 2012}}</ref> and many used [[social media]] to promote their criticisms. ==Games== ===Under development=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Title ! Developer ! Genre ! Status |- | ''[[Project TL]]'' | NCSoft (Team TL) | MMORPG | TBA |- | ''AION 2'' | NCSoft | MMORPG | TBA |- | ''Blade & Soul S'' | NCSoft | Strategy RPG | TBA |- | ''Blade & Soul Console'' | NC Interactive (NCWEST) | Action MMORPG | TBA |- | ''Blade & Soul 2'' | NCSoft (Team Bloodlust) | Action MMORPG | TBA |- |''Pangya M'' |NTREEV (Project G Team) | Sport RPG | TBA |} ===Available=== ====PC Online==== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Title ! Developer ! Genre ! Status |- |- | [[Fuser (video game) | FUSER]] | [[Harmonix]] | Rhythm | Released on November 10, 2020. |- | ''[[Aion: The Tower of Eternity|Aion]]'' | NCSoft (Team Aion) | MMORPG | Active since September 22, 2009. |- | ''[[Blade & Soul]]'' | NCSoft (Team Bloodlust) | MMORPG | Active since June 30, 2012. |- | ''[[Guild Wars]]'' | [[ArenaNet]] | MMORPG | Active since April 26, 2005. |- | ''[[Guild Wars 2]]'' | [[ArenaNet]] | MMORPG | Active since August 28, 2012. |- | ''[[Lineage (video game)|Lineage]]'' | NCSoft (Team L2Live) | MMORPG | Active since September 3, 1998. |- | ''[[Lineage II]]'' | NCSoft | MMORPG | Active since October 1, 2003. |- | ''Love Beat'' | CrazyDiamond | [[Dance/Rhythm]] | Released on Steam January 13, 2016 |- | ''Jan Ryu Mon'' | NCSoft Japan | [[Mahjong]] | Active. |} ====Mobile==== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Title ! Developer ! Genre ! Status |- |''Aion: Legions of War'' |NCSoft |RPG |Active since July 28, 2017 |- |''Final Blade'' |NCSoft |RPG |Active since February 2017 |- |''Lineage Red Knight'' |NCSoft |RPG |Active since December 8, 2016 |- | ''Lineage M'' | NCSoft | MMORPG | Active since June 21, 2017 |- |''Pro Baseball H2!'' |NTREEV (Baseball Team) |Sport |Active since March 2017 |- | ''Lineage II M'' | NCSoft (Team L2Live) | RPG | Active since November 2019 |- |''Pro Baseball H3!'' |NTREEV (Baseball Team) |Sport | Active since April 6, 2021 |- |''Trickster M'' |NTREEV (Trickster Team) |MMORPG | Active since May 20, 2021 |} ===Closed=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Title ! Developer ! Genre ! Date Closed |- | ''[[Auto Assault]]'' | [[NetDevil]] | MMORPG | 2007-08-31. |- | ''[[Dungeon Runners]]'' | NCSoft | MMORPG | 2010-01-01 |- | ''[[Dragonica]]'' | [[Gravity (Korean company)|Gravity]] | Casual MMORPG | 2011-07-13 |- | ''[[Exteel]]'' | NCSoft (E&G Studios) | [[Third-person shooter|TPS]] | 2010-09-01 |- | ''[[Point Blank (2008 video game)|Point Blank]]'' | Zepetto | [[First-person shooter|FPS]] | 2011-07-13 |- | ''[[Tabula Rasa (video game)|Tabula Rasa]]'' | [[Destination Games]] | MMORPG |2009-02-28 |- | ''[[City of Heroes]]'' | [[Paragon Studios]] | MMORPG |2012-11-30 |- | ''[[Trickster Online|Trickster]]'' | Ntreev Soft | MMORPG | 2013-02-27 |- | ''[[Master X Master]]'' | NCSoft (Studio MXM) | MOBA | 2018-01-31 |- | ''[[WildStar (video game)|WildStar]]'' | NCSoft (Carbine) | MMORPG | 2018-11-30 |} ===Titles not available in English=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Title ! Developer ! Genre ! Status |- | ''Murim Jekook'' | Longtu Network Technology | [[Strategy video game|Strategy]] | Korean release only. |- | ''Punch Monster'' | Next Play | MMORPG | Korean release only. |- | ''[[PangYa]]'' | Ntreev Soft | Sport Casual | Thailand release only. |} In addition, NCSoft is also the developer and maintainer of a variety of web-based [[board game]]s in Asian markets. ==References== {{Reflist|2}} ==External links== {{commons category|NCSOFT}} * [https://kr.ncsoft.com/ NCSoft] * [https://us.ncsoft.com/ NCSoft West] {{NCsoft|state=expanded}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:NCSoft| ]] [[Category:City of Heroes]] [[Category:Companies based in Gyeonggi Province]] [[Category:Companies listed on the Korea Exchange]] [[Category:South Korean brands]] [[Category:South Korean companies established in 1997]] [[Category:Video game companies established in 1997]] [[Category:Video game companies of South Korea]] [[Category:Video game development companies]] [[Category:Bundang]]'