Pearl Abyss Cheers, Devsisters Struggles: Diverging Report Cards for New Releases

[Financial News] The latest high-profile releases from major Korean game companies are seeing mixed results in the global market. Pearl Abyss' "Crimson Desert" has set a new record for Korean console games, surpassing 4 million copies sold just 12 days after launch. In contrast, Devsisters' "CookieRun: OvenSmash" has fallen short of expectations, prompting an emergency response from the company. Because the success of new titles is closely tied to earnings in the game industry, these results are expected to significantly influence each company's mid- to long-term strategy.
■ "Crimson Desert" on the verge of 5 million copies soldAccording to industry sources on the 5th, Pearl Abyss' "Crimson Desert" is showing the most outstanding performance among recently released titles. The game sold 2 million copies on global platforms on launch day alone and reached 3 million copies within four days, setting a first-ever record for a Korean title. It then went on to sell 4 million copies in 12 days and is now closing in on the 5 million mark.
The strong response from users in Western markets, particularly in North America and Europe, is especially encouraging. Since North America and Europe account for 74% of the global console market, positive reception in these regions suggests not just popularity but also substantial potential for revenue growth.
"Crimson Desert" is Pearl Abyss' most anticipated project, developed over roughly eight years. Although it initially faced harsh criticism over controls and optimization, the company quickly incorporated user feedback and managed to turn performance around. On the back of the game's rapid success, Pearl Abyss is now on the verge of reentering the 5 trillion won market-cap tier for the first time in about four years and seven months.
Netmarble's new multiplayer open-world action RPG "The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin," which launched globally on March 24, is showing relatively stable performance. After an early release on PlayStation 5 (PS5) and Steam on the 17th of last month, the game topped the popularity charts on Apple's App Store not only in Korea but also in major markets such as Japan, the United States, and Taiwan during the mobile pre-download phase. Following its official launch, it debuted at No. 6 on Steam's global revenue rankings and has since remained roughly within the top 20, indicating steady momentum. Its multi-platform structure spanning console, PC, and mobile, combined with an existing IP fan base, is helping the title maintain results without dramatic volatility, even if it is not a breakout blockbuster.
■ "Cookie Run" follow-up hits No. 1, then slides down the chartsBy contrast, Devsisters' mobile battle action game "CookieRun: OvenSmash," which officially launched in the global market on the 26th of last month, is underperforming. As the first Cookie Run IP title to surpass 3 million global pre-registrations, expectations for success were high, but the game has struggled to retain users after launch. It briefly reached No. 1 on the popularity charts of the Korean and U.S. App Stores right after release, only to see its ranking quickly drop. Despite leveraging the existing "Cookie Run" IP, intensified competition and concerns over overall polish have prevented the game from translating interest into lasting results, according to industry assessments. As a sense of crisis grew, Devsisters CEO Cho Gil-hyeon and "CookieRun: OvenSmash" co-producer Lee Won-young personally stepped forward to promise improvements. In an emergency live broadcast on the 3rd, they apologized for issues surrounding optimization, balance, and controls, and announced a comprehensive effort to enhance user experience, including faster loading, balance adjustments, and the introduction of a reporting feature.

yjjoe@fnnews.com Jo Yoon-joo Reporter