NCsoft profits rise on Aion success
Publisher attributes revenue success to new MMORPG Aion: The Tower of Eternity in China and Korea
NCsoft has released the results of its financial quarter ending March 31, reporting a significant increase in both revenue and profit.
The company reported net sales for the quarter at KRW 133.4 billion (USD 107.7 million), an increase of 34 per cent from the KRW 99 billion reported last quarter. Operating profit increased from USD 7.1 million to 34.3 million this quarter, and net profit increased from approximately USD 5.7 million to USD 27 million.
According to the publisher, sales for MMOs Lineage and Lineage II increased 23 and 33 per cent, respectively, with newcomer Aion: The Tower of Eternity, available only in Korea and China until later this year, showing the most growth at 34 per cent.
"Aion has solidified its position as a new growth force without encroaching sales of the Lineage series," said NCsoft CFO Jaeho Lee. "Starting with its service in China in Q2, we are ready for a successful launch of this triple-A franchise in Japan, Taiwan, North America and Europe within the second half of the year."
Aion: The Tower of Eternity launched in China last month, with distribution partner Shanda reporting 1 million paying users in the game's first four days of commercial operation.