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- Stellar Blade developer Shift Up believes that most gamers prefer single-player titles over multiplayer releases.
- Many Korean studios are following this trend and shifting towards more traditional games.
- The free-to-play genre is no longer good for economic growth; therefore, single-player titles are preferable.
South Korean developers have been at the top of their game over the last two years. Releasing hits like Stellar Blade, Lies of P, and more, they’ve shown why single-player games are so good.
Now, Shift Up, the team behind Stellar Blade, has stated that they believe gamers prefer single-player titles over those belonging to the multiplayer and free-to-play genres.
Why it matters: Many South Korean studios previously focused on multiplayer experiences. They believe the global market for single-player games is expected to grow, so a shift is needed.
In the last issue of Game Informer, developers at various South Korean companies stated that they believe gamers at home are more attracted to single-player titles. Shift Up, Round8 Studio, and Pearl Abyss are notable ones now shifting their focus to traditional gaming experiences.
Each company made the point that players now want fresh, new experiences. These sorts of releases are not only economically viable for the South Korean market but also open up these games to the rest of the world.
Shift Up CEO Kim Hyung-Tae revealed that only 5% of their overall game sales came from Korea. He argued that free-to-play and multiplayer titles have a limited audience because they require you to grind; hence, they are for seasonal players.
This offsets new, younger audiences from those games, leading to fewer players. Therefore, single-player titles are the way to go, and that is why most Korean studios are shifting their strategies.
Shift Up CEO Kim Hyung-Tae also revealed that console growth in South Korea has ceased, which has affected sales. That led them to consider a Stellar Blade PC port, which could also help them reach a wider player base in their country.
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News Reporter
Abdullah is an avid gamer who primarily plays single-player titles. If you can’t find him anywhere, he’ll probably be at his desk playing The Witcher 3 for the millionth time. When he isn’t playing games, he’s either reading or writing about them.
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