Posts Tagged ‘Webzen’

Webzen announced the first quarter result

May 17th, 2012

Wezen’s operating sales recorded $14 million while operating profit is $3.8 million and net profit during the term is $2.8 million. Operating sales, operating profit increased 22% and 367% comparing to the same period of the last year. Net profit is back in the black.

‘MU Online’ and ‘Metin2’ is the biggest contributors to the result. The revenue from abroad is 57%. Webzen is expecting the better result for the second quarter because of C9 service in China will be included. Battery Online has started its service in Thailand and is scheduled to be published in more countries, too.

During the second half of the year, MMORPG Archlord 2 will start the test and start developing MU2. Wezen mobile will be preparing mobile games as well.

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Webzen is Watching MUX of The9

October 26th, 2011

The9 Korea announced its inroad into Korean market and its stance on publishing <MUX> in Korea yesterday.

SoonWoo Park the president of The9 Korea said “We believe <MUX> is not a copycat since nothing but its name and a few posters is revealed so far. We probably launch its alpha test early next year. As its completion is quite satisfactory we could publish it in Korea if Korean gamers want.”

<MUX> has been introduced at China Joy 2009 and has provoked controversy over plagiarism of <MU> developed by Webzen and published in China by The9 itself. The9 explained the game that it officially succeeded <MU>’s spirit at the China Joy 2009. Moreover, it featured very similar music, character, item, and effects to what of <MU>.

Webzen therefore had filed a lawsuit for return of the trademark right against The9 in Korea and successfully won the case in 2010. But Webzen has not sued The9 in China so far.

Since The9 is their official partner publishing <MU> and <SUN> in China no matter what and they won the case in Korea anyways they don’t seem to want any more trouble between them.

The9 told Webzen last year that it will change the title <MUX> to <Miracle: Ultimate X> but nothing has changed so far in its homepage. It is still using the controversial logo title and the promised title cannot be found in anywhere. Even more, The9 keeps updating its development feedback to the site every month.

The9 officially announced its first test early next year. So let’s see if the title and how much of it would have been changed from its year 2009 version since they are so sure about it not being copied from <MU>.

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BATTERY Online Held First Test in China

August 24th, 2011

Military FPS <BATTERY Online> held first public alpha test in China yesterday.

Tencent, the local publisher, selected hundreds of Chinese players for testing server stress.

“It is going smoothly and the test took place much earlier than we expected. CBT date is not yet fixed but we will accelerate the Chinese service,” said TaeYoung Kim the director of Overseas Business of Webzen.

Tencent is also preparing 2nd CBT of Webzen’s action MORPG <C9>.

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Webzen Filed A Lawsuit Against Red 5 Korea

July 11th, 2011

Webzen eventually took a leagal action against Red 5 Korea.

It said Red 5 Korea has breached the Asia publishing agreement of <Firefall> between Webzen and Red 5 Studios.

Red 5 Korea has recently distributed press releases about famous SF author Olson Scott Card’s involvement in <Firefall>’s scenario and holding an offline test for public.

Webzen complained that Red 5 Korea is working without its permission. Allegedly the press release about the author was about to be released from Webzen as well.

For the offline test, it was actually negotiated together but Red 5 Korea requested delay and announced its schedule unilaterally with Webzen logo without permission.

Webzen said “We have been preparing to reveal <Firefall> along with <MU 2> and <Archlord 2> at G-star 2011, but we heard Red 5 Korea is trying to attend G-star 2011 independantly with <Firefall>. So we decided to take a legal action.

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Webzen Vs. Red 5 Studio Over Contract

June 30th, 2011

<Firefall> is falling in Korea.

This week, Red 5 Studio has filed arbitration over troubles with Webzen, Korean publisher of <Firefall>, to ICC(International Chamber of Commerce) because of their poor engagement.

On the heels of Red 5 Studio’s submission, Webzen expressed its stance today.

According to Webzen’s notice, they are to comply with later judgement but will confront Red 5 Studio squarely in order to protect their contractual rights.

While Red 5 Studio asserts Webzen has breached the contract, Webzen clarified they have fully fulfilled all the obligation so far and will continue fulfilling it until the contract expires.

“We are in charge of global service and business strategy of <Firefall> excluding NA and Europe. We have prepared its service in Korea despite of its numerous delays for last 5 years of develompent,” said Webzen. “Red 5 Studio whose The9, a Chinese publisher which had been fought with Webzen over infringement of <MU Online>’s IP, is the biggest shareholder, has pushed us to launch the game in Korea in spite of its unfinished development.”

In addition to the game service trouble, Webzen also pointed out that Red 5 Korea, allegedly a relative of Red 5 Studio, is infringing the contract as Webzen exclusively holds the business right in Korea.

Webzen therefore has notified Red 5 Korea to stop its operation several times but Red 5 Korea kept their work and Red 5 Studio has neglected Webzen’s request. So Webzen is about to face the troubles against Red 5 Studio firmly and take required legal actions since Red 5 Studio first made the issue public via Korean media.

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