StudioBside

About StudioBside

StudioBside is a South Korean game development company founded in 2017 by CEO Ryu Geum-tae, who previously worked on well-known PC online games such as "Elsword" and "Closers". The company was established with the goal of creating games that the developers themselves would want to play, focusing on delivering engaging experiences for fans of subculture themes. Since its inception, StudioBside has secured multiple rounds of funding from investors including Devsisters Ventures, Smilegate Investment, and The Korea Development Bank.

The company's primary business is the development and publishing of mobile games, targeting a global audience of players who enjoy anime-style graphics and in-depth narratives. Its revenue model is based on a free-to-play structure with in-game purchases, such as cosmetics and special characters, a common model for the gacha game genre. The flagship product is "Counter:Side," a 2D strategic action RPG launched in South Korea in 2020 before expanding globally. In "Counter:Side," players assume the role of a CEO managing a private military company, deploying squads of super-powered "Counters" to fight against mysterious lifeforms in a contemporary urban fantasy setting. The game is noted for its high-quality 2D art, animated characters, extensive storytelling, and a strategic, real-time battle system. It features various gameplay modes, including a story campaign, player-versus-player (PvP) battles, and daily resource-farming missions.

Following a publishing agreement with Nexon, StudioBside transitioned to self-publishing "Counter:Side" in early 2023. This move was intended to give the studio more direct control over the game's development and intellectual property expansion. Beyond its main title, StudioBside is actively developing new games, including "Project Star" (also known as "StarSavior"), a turn-based RPG with 3D graphics, aiming to further solidify its position within the subculture gaming market.