Seoul, September 5 — In a bid to strengthen its foothold in the South Korean gaming industry, Tencent Games’ international gaming business brand, Level Infinite, has outlined plans to deepen its collaboration with local game developers. In an exclusive interview with Yonhap News Agency on September 3, Yong-yi Zhu, Level Infinite’s Vice President and head of business operations and strategy, highlighted the importance of the South Korean market and future investment plans.
The Strategic Importance of South Korea
Zhu emphasized that South Korea is a crucial market for several of Tencent Games’ key partners, including KRAFTON (also known as Krafton Inc.) and Shift Up. The country’s robust gaming industry and its proximity to China make it an ideal environment for collaboration and investment. South Korea has always been a beacon of innovation in the gaming world, Zhu stated. We recognize the potential and are eager to support the growth of the local gaming industry.
Investment in Local Developers
Tencent Games plans to invest in South Korean game development companies that show potential for global success. According to Zhu, the company aims to help these developers localize their games for different markets, ensuring that they resonate with diverse audiences. We want to help these companies not only in terms of financial investment but also in sharing our expertise in global market trends and user preferences, he added.
Global Expansion and Experience Sharing
During his visit to South Korea, Zhu and other Tencent Games executives shared their experiences in global expansion with local game developers. This session, held on the same day as the interview, was aimed at identifying potential partners and discussing strategies for entering the global market. By sharing our journey, we hope to inspire and guide South Korean developers in creating games that can captivate a global audience, Zhu explained.
The Shift to Live-Service Games
Zhu highlighted the ongoing transformation of the gaming industry towards live-service games, which generate revenue through continuous updates and player engagement. He urged developers to consider how they can provide long-term content, especially in the context of rapidly consumable game content. Developers need to think about sustainability and how to keep players engaged over time, he said.
Inspiration from Global Success Stories
Tencent Games is particularly interested in companies that have created unique gaming experiences and successful live-service games. Zhu cited examples such as Japan’s FromSoftware and Belgium’s Larian Studios, known for their distinctive game rules, as well as Riot Games and Supercell, which have developed globally acclaimed live-service game IPs. We are keen to see more South Korean developers achieve similar success, he noted.
Community and Education Initiatives
Tencent Games has also been actively involved in the South Korean gaming community. In 2022, the company joined the Korea Game Industry Association as a board member and sponsored the production of the Game Literacy Education Guide earlier this year. These initiatives reflect Tencent Games’ commitment to contributing to the growth and development of the gaming industry in South Korea.
Conclusion
With its plans to deepen collaboration with South Korean game developers, Tencent Games is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of the gaming industry in the region. By leveraging its global expertise and financial resources, Tencent Games aims to foster innovation and drive the success of South Korean gaming companies on a global scale. We are excited about the potential of this partnership and the positive impact it can have on the gaming industry as a whole, Zhu concluded.
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