Krafton announced that the number of PUBG players increased by 80% compared to before the free version.
On August 11, Krafton held a conference to announce its Q2 2022 revenue. During the Q&A session after the presentation, questions about the change in the number of users before and after PUBG Free were raised.
Krafton’s Q2 2022 revenue was 423.7 billion won in revenue and 162.3 billion won in operating profit, down 7.8% and 6.8% year-on-year, respectively.
By sector, PC sales reached 88.6 billion won, maintained at the same level as the same period last year after PUBG’s conversion to free-to-play. Sales of consoles and other divisions fell 5.9% year-on-year to 15.4 billion won. Revenue was similar to that of the previous year, but considering the 8.4% decrease in operating expenses compared to the same period last year, it can be seen that the operation of current works has slowed down.
About this, Krafton CFO Bae Dong-geun said: “Currently, the number of PUBG users has increased by 80% compared to before the free version, and I think the overall direction of development through the game. Free is the right thing to do.”
The increase in the number of new players led the game developer to assert a positive view of the rate of purchase of the package (Battle Pass), which is related to sales. CFO Bae Dong-geun added: “The second quarter focused on user retention, expanding new gamers, we have prepared a plan for increasing sales from the third quarter.”
Along with that, Krafton also mentioned that PUBG Mobile (BGMI) has recently been blocked from service in the Indian market. “We are working with the authorities so that Indian users can bring the game back to the players as soon as possible,” said the CFO.
Krafton will continue to focus on game development in the second half of this year. At Gamescom 2022 held in Cologne, Germany at the end of August, announced videos of new games such as Callisto Protocol and Project M are noticed by the gaming community and game showcases will be held for visitor.
Gamescom as an opportunity for Krafton to implement its plan to expand its medium to long-term influence in the gaming industry by revealing the new IP they are preparing for North America, and showing the ability produces and publishes its games.
In addition, Krafton will start the project to expand the IP adaptation of the novel. The new game project UNANNOUNCED PROJECT has been announced and implemented for two years and will provide a new gaming experience for gamers around the world, including graphics in partnership with Iain McCaig in the first half of the year. 2023.