NCSoft Undertakes Restructuring Efforts, Including Staff Layoffs

NCSoft has implemented a significant restructuring process, which includes the reduction of its workforce. This move is part of a broader effort to reorganize the company internally. The developer has stated that certain projects and support functions will be scaled down or discontinued in order to focus on more efficient allocation of resources. As a result, some employees will be reassigned, and a voluntary retirement program will be put in place. According to Co-CEOs Taek-Jin Kim and Byung-Moo Park, the company is facing financial difficulties, having experienced a decline in the second quarter. They emphasized that drastic changes are necessary to ensure the company's survival and future. The CEOs have pledged to provide support and compensation to those affected by the restructuring. As part of this process, NCSoft is establishing four new wholly-owned subsidiaries, set to launch on February 1, 2025. These subsidiaries include three independent game development studios and one entity focused on artificial intelligence. Studio X will continue working on Throne and Liberty, while Studio Y and Studio Z will oversee Project LLL and Tactan, respectively. Additionally, NCSoft's AI research division, NC Research, will be spun off into a new entity called NC AI, which will concentrate on advancing the company's proprietary AI technologies, such as Varco LLM, and exploring new business opportunities.