NCsoft establishes wholly owned Japanese subsidiary

Korean online games company, NCsoft, has announced the establishment of NCsoft Japan KK, a wholly owned and operated subsidiary valued at 100 million Yen (850 million Korean Won, or 750,000 Euro).

Operating under the company's strategy of 'global infrastructure, local content', NCsoft Japan will be responsible for development and localization of all games using the firm's games service platform, PlayNC. As the expansion into the Japanese and Asian markets continues, NCsoft Japan will operate as a dedicated Japanese development studio for the creation of online casual games and MMO titles designed for Japanese and Asian gamers.

Chris Chung, NCsoft's VP of International Business Unit commented: "By joining the industry acknowledged game experts of Japan with the know-how of global online game publisher, NCsoft, we expect greater synergy effects in the near future."

NCsoft initially entered the Japanese market through a joint venture in 2001, and currently services two critically acclaimed MMO titles (Lineage and Lineage II) in the region. The Japanese market accounts for twenty per cent of NCsoft's overseas sales, and is set to increase with the commercial launch of a dedicated Guild Wars service at the end of the month.

NCsoft currently operates subsidiary offices in US and Europe, where its MMO titles City of Heroes and City of Villains continue to enjoy significant commercial success. Additionally, the company has established various servicing and game development operations through joint ventures in Japan, China, Taiwan, and Thailand.