The game Lineage2M is on its journey to reach players in Southeast Asia and Vietnam, currently being handled by the joint venture NCV Games. But why was Lineage2M chosen instead of other products in the Lineage series or in the game library of NCSOFT?
What is Lineage2M?
Lineage2M is a mobile game title in the famous Lineage brand, released by NCSOFT for the first time in November 2019. The game can also be played on PC through the PURPLE Launcher, developed by NCSOFT to support the transition of the game to the PC platform.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37JCCNcW–c
The title Lineage2M is quite unique in game development. To be specific, this new game is not entirely accurate to be called a Lineage 2 product, as it is developed to be a mobile game version based on the core elements of the original Lineage 2, adapting its functions and techniques to fit a mobile gaming environment.
Therefore, while Lineage2M does not completely replicate Lineage 2, it is also not entirely different. This balance of similarities and differences has helped the game gain recognition as it maintains the familiar essence of Lineage 2 for seasoned players while not repeating the technical limitations of game development from the early 2000s.
Currently, Lineage2M is the latest product in the Lineage series and is one of the top three most popular mobile games in the series to date.
The Role of Lineage2M in the Lineage Series and NCSOFT
Clearly, Lineage2M is not the only mobile product of the Lineage series. However, it has achieved significant milestones that bring many benefits to its parent company NCSOFT.
According to data from the market research firm Sensor Tower, Lineage2M surpassed $152 million in global revenue just three months after its release in South Korea. It accounted for nearly 1.6 million downloads during its initial launch phase, with Google Play representing 79.6% (about 1.3 million downloads) and the App Store comprising the remaining share. This reflects the game’s strong appeal, especially in the South Korean market.
In South Korea, the Lineage series has deeply penetrated gaming culture, with millions of players participating in various versions of this brand. Therefore, the launch of Lineage2M has created a significant success. It quickly became the second-highest-grossing game in South Korea in November 2019 (the month it was launched), only ranking behind Lineage M, and climbed to the number one position in December 2019 and January 2020 on the mobile game revenue charts.
According to the latest report released by NCSOFT, in Q2 2024, Lineage2M generated revenue of 42.3 billion Won (approximately $31 million). With this achievement, the game contributed about 11.47% of NCSOFT’s total revenue in the second quarter. It is also the third-highest-grossing mobile game in the Lineage franchise, following Lineage M and Lineage W.
A Fresh Perspective on the Lineage Brand in Modern Times
The Lineage brand remains a crucial asset for the game business group of NCSOFT, not only because it is the first product of the house but also because it generates the highest profit margins. According to the recently released business situation report for Q2 2024, the Lineage series accounted for 70% of NCSOFT’s total revenue.
To maintain this result, NCSOFT has proactively evaluated the situation of its main series. The success of earlier games like Lineage and Lineage 2 on PC continues to decline over time regarding revenue, as they struggle to broaden their customer base amid technological advancements. Thus, this company is always looking for ways to modernize the Lineage brand through new games.
The continuous release of new mobile game products following this trend has included Lineage M, Lineage W, Lineage: Revolution, and most recently, Lineage2M. These products prove successful as they consistently generate high revenue and continue to contribute significantly to the company’s total revenue as their parent company.
As the latest release, Lineage2M represents a new perspective that NCSOFT is pushing for global launch. The most recent trend we have seen is that this product is the first game title to be launched in Southeast Asia under the management of the joint venture NCV Games, a collaboration between NCSOFT and VNG.
For more information about Lineage2M, you can refer to the following links:
- Pre-Registration: https://pre-reg-lineage2m.vnggames.com/vi-vn/conts/l2m_launch
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lineage2m.vn
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lineage2mvn/
