From MMO King to Shooter Specialist: NCSoft Steals the Show at Gamescom 2025

In a powerful and surprising display of strategic evolution, Korean publisher NCSoft has dominated the conversation at Gamescom 2025, signaling a monumental shift in its global strategy. For decades, the company has been synonymous with blockbuster MMORPGs like Lineage and Guild Wars. Now, they’ve used the world’s largest gaming event to officially launch their foray into the highly competitive shooter market, and they did so with style and substance. NCSoft’s presence, from a major showcase on Opening Night Live to a robust B2B presence, has positioned them as a major contender in the Western market, proving they are ready to swap swords for firearms in the pursuit of a global audience.

The company’s gamescom presence was headlined by the official reveal of two new titles, both of which are a significant departure from their traditional fantasy roots. The first was Cinder City, a massive multiplayer online tactical shooter, formerly known as “Project LLL.” The second was Time Takers, a third-person, team-based survival shooter. The decision to lead with these two titles on the prestigious Opening Night Live stage was a calculated move to capture a new audience. The trailers for both games showcased stunning visuals, dynamic gameplay, and a clear focus on the PC and console markets, where shooters are a dominant genre. NCSoft’s CEO, Jeonghee “JJ” Jin, has made it clear that the company is actively working to shed the “pay-to-win” reputation of many Korean games and establish a foothold in the global market with these new projects.

A New Direction: The Shooters That Defined the Show

The gameplay trailers and hands-on demos for both Cinder City and Time Takers were a major focus of NCSoft’s presence. These games are not just simple shooters; they are a clear attempt to blend unique gameplay mechanics with a compelling art style and a focus on narrative. The new tactical shooter Cinder City puts players in the shoes of a futuristic knight navigating a post-apocalyptic Seoul. The gameplay trailer highlighted a mix of massive, open-world mech battles and tense, close-quarters combat against grotesque monsters. This blend of large-scale warfare and intimate horror suggests a game that is as strategic as it is action-packed.

Meanwhile, Time Takers introduced a fascinating new mechanic where “Time Energy” serves as both a currency for upgrades and the player’s lifeline. This forces players to make high-stakes decisions in the heat of battle, creating a survival shooter with a unique strategic layer. The game’s use of a diverse cast of characters from different historical eras and its team-based structure has many comparing it to a hero shooter with a survival twist. Both titles are built on Unreal Engine 5, which was evident in the trailers’ high-fidelity graphics and realistic motion capture. This is a clear signal that NCSoft is not cutting corners and is investing heavily in the technology needed to compete with the biggest names in the industry.

A Broader Lineup and a Glimpse into the Future

While the shooters stole the show, NCSoft’s presence at Gamescom was more than just a two-title reveal. They brought a comprehensive lineup of seven games, including new information on their highly anticipated MMORPGs and an expansion for a fan-favorite. The full list of games at their booth included:

• Aion 2: The sequel to the classic MMORPG, which received strong interest at the event.
• Limit Zero Breakers: A new, unrevealed title.
• Blade & Soul Heroes: A new version of the franchise, with an updated story and monetization model localized for Western audiences.
• Band of Crusaders: Another new, unrevealed title.
• Guild Wars 2: Visions of Eternity: ArenaNet’s newest expansion for the long-running MMORPG, which continues to be a staple for the company.

The presence of both new and old titles, along with the bold new direction into the shooter genre, is a clear signal of NCSoft’s commitment to a global expansion. The company’s CEO stated that they are focusing on improving service quality for existing games while also preparing for the new titles’ global launch. This forward-thinking strategy, combined with the explosive reveal of their new shooters, has made NCSoft a major topic of discussion at Gamescom 2025. It’s a clear statement that a new era is beginning for the company, and for fans of shooters and MMORPGs alike, the future looks incredibly bright.