NCsoft, Korea’s top online game developer, reported Friday its net profit in the first quarter had surged 86 percent to 66.2 billion won ($57 million), largely driven by sales growth in overseas markets.

Its sales rose 28 percent to 240.8 billion won in the first three months of the year compared to the previous year. Operating profit was also up 69 percent to 75.8 billion won over the same period. 


The company’s global sales reached 109.3 billion won, making up 45 percent of its total revenue in the quarter, up 9 percent from a year earlier. Is sales in North America and Europe had soared 136 percent on new game launches, it said.

The company said its latest online role playing game “Blade & Soul” is gaining positive reviews in North American and Europe since its debut there in January. It plans to launch the game in Russia this month.

“Preparations for new game launches are going smoothly as planned. We will seek a new momentum this year by launching new PC- and mobile-based games,” said Yoon Jae-soo, the company’s chief financial officer, during a conference call. 

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)