The gaming industry is going through tough times, and even a hit game doesn’t guarantee stability. NCSoft, the South Korean developers behind Throne and Liberty and Guild Wars, have announced a massive restructuring following several consecutive financial losses. This move includes the cancellation of four games and a series of layoffs.

In a recent interview, co-CEOs Taek-Jin Kim and Byung-Moo Park emphasized the need for these drastic actions to prevent the company from becoming “a chronically deficit-ridden company.” As part of the restructuring, NCSoft will lay off an undisclosed number of employees and encourage voluntary retirements. The decision was driven by ongoing financial losses that have begun to “damage the creativity and spirit of self-improvement that NCSoft originally had.”

Among the most surprising moves is the cancellation of several long-running projects. An NCSoft spokesperson confirmed that four games—Project M, an interactive thriller revealed in 2022; Battle Crush; Miniverse; and Doguri Adventure—have all been canceled.

Four Internal Studios to Separate from NCSoft

In addition to the layoffs and game cancellations, NCSoft has announced that four internal studios will separate from the company. While still supported by the parent company, these studios will operate independently. NC AI will focus on AI technology, while Studio X, Studio Y, and Studio Z will work on their respective intellectual properties: Throne and Liberty, the MMO shooter Project LLL, and the real-time strategy game Tactan.

To formalize the restructuring, an extraordinary shareholders meeting is scheduled for November 28, with the separation of these studios expected to be completed by February 1, 2025. NCSoft hopes these steps will turn around its financial situation and help the company regain its footing in the competitive gaming market.

Source: 3djuegos