This week, I want to delve into a topic inspired by a guild member of mine, Onyx, who kindly supported our Kickstarter campaign and challenged me to choose a discussion point.

Recently, during a podcast episode from Massively OP, there was an intriguing listener inquiry regarding NCsoft's significant efforts in the western market. Throughout the summer, this South Korean gaming giant has been vocal about its strategies to enhance its presence in the West, and this autumn, it's set to roll out several key titles: the free-to-play re-release of WildStar, the launch of Guild Wars 2’s Heart of Thorns expansion, and the first western beta for Blade & Soul—all within a single month. These releases will not only compete against each other but also against MMOs from other developers.

Which title do you anticipate will emerge as NCsoft's standout success as it seeks to establish a stronger foothold in Western markets? What are your thoughts on NCsoft’s ambitions in this region?

Brianna Royce (@nbrianna, blog): Each quarter, we scrutinize NCsoft’s financial reports, often astonished by the substantial revenue generated from Classic Lineage in Korea, with seemingly minimal effort. In contrast, its western ventures yield significantly lower returns. When NCsoft announced its renewed focus on Western markets earlier this year, it was met with skepticism from some of our team. Yet here we are, witnessing NCsoft making significant strides in the Western MMO landscape this fall. Recently, I expressed concerns on our podcast that Blade & Soul might face challenges in a market already dominated by TERA, and that WildStar has a long way to go in reshaping its public image. The high price point for Heart of Thorns could position it as a leading contender for NCsoft this season on this side of the ocean, especially considering the microtransaction success of Lineage back home.

I genuinely hope that NCsoft can turn the tide of its fortunes in the West and regain the favor of players. I have some solid ideas on how they might achieve this.

Jef Reahard (@jefreahard): NCsoft has been candid about its inclination towards mobile games in recent months, having made several announcements to that effect. It seems that the company hasn’t invested much in Guild Wars 2, which now appears to be fading from the game’s terms of service. WildStar has its dedicated fans, and its transition to a different business model may ensure its longevity. Personally, I find Blade & Soul appealing, but I’m skeptical about its ability to resonate with Western audiences who often prefer non-Asian MMOs.

It seems NCsoft is merely extracting whatever revenue it can from these titles in the West, while its true strength lies in Asia. As I mentioned, the company is increasingly shifting its focus toward mobile.

Justin Olivetti (@sypster, blog): I consider myself an optimistic player, and having spent time with WildStar over the past few months, I believe the free-to-play transition could lead to a surprising resurgence for the game in 2015. I’ve long maintained that WildStar is a solid game, and it has improved as the developers moved away from an overly hardcore approach and addressed some of its initial shortcomings. The fun factor is high, and the free-to-play model seems to strike a good balance, providing substantial content for free while still exploring multiple revenue streams. If WildStar can attract a larger player base and generate revenue effectively, we could be in for an exhilarating journey ahead!

Now, it's your turn to weigh in!

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