LINE Games

About LINE Games

LINE Games Corporation, a South Korean game developer and publisher, was established in October 2012, originally as NextFloor. The company gained initial recognition with the successful launch of "Dragon Flight," a mobile game for the Kakao platform. A significant turning point occurred in August 2018 when NextFloor merged with LINE Games, a subsidiary of the global messaging giant LINE, and adopted the LINE Games name. This merger integrated NextFloor's development capabilities with LINE's expansive user base and global reach. The company operates under its parent, A Holdings, a joint venture between SoftBank Group and Naver Corporation.

The company develops and publishes games across multiple platforms, including mobile (Android and iOS), PC, and console. Its portfolio encompasses a wide array of genres such as role-playing games (RPG), massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG), first-person shooters (FPS), and hack-and-slash action games. Notable titles in its history include "Exos Heroes," "Destiny Child," "Uncharted Waters Origin," and "UNDECEMBER." The business model primarily revolves around in-app purchases within its free-to-play games. Additionally, LINE Games generates revenue through publishing services for third-party developers, leveraging its expertise in marketing, server administration, and customer support to launch games successfully. The company also utilizes in-game advertising as another revenue stream.

LINE Games serves a global audience of gamers, with a strong presence in the Asian market, particularly Japan and South Korea. The company's strategy involves creating a diverse lineup of games to appeal to various player segments, from casual to mid-core and hardcore gamers. A key aspect of its product strategy is the seamless integration of games with the LINE messaging platform, which fosters social engagement and community building among players. This ecosystem allows for effective cross-promotion, driving user acquisition and engagement. Milestones for the company include receiving a ₩125 billion investment from Anchor Equity Partners in October 2018, winning multiple accolades at the Korea Game Awards for titles like "Buried Stars" and "Uncharted Waters Origin," and expanding its portfolio through acquisitions and publishing contracts.