NC's performance in the first half of 2026 has been steered by 'Lineage M' and 'Lineage Classic', proving that the 'Lineage' IP still possesses formidable weight across both PC and mobile platforms. The veteran mobile title 'Lineage M', now celebrating its 9th anniversary, and the PC-based 'Lineage Classic', which arrived this February, have each driven the company's financial recovery through different strategic approaches.

'Lineage' is the MMORPG that put NC on the map when it launched in 1998. It sent shockwaves through the South Korean gaming market immediately, establishing itself as the company's core IP. Alongside 'Nexus', it ushered in the era of online gaming, and its focus on player interaction—typified by the blood pledge system and castle sieges—set a precedent that countless titles have since mirrored.

In 2017, 'Lineage M' shifted the landscape to mobile. By translating the controls and systems of the original PC 'Lineage' for a handheld environment, the developer redefined the direction of the franchise. The UI and UX were meticulously optimized to overcome the limitations of mobile devices, while core mechanics like faction wars and blood pledges were reimagined for a mobile audience. It climbed to the top of Google Play and App Store revenue charts almost instantly, cementing NC's status as a major corporate entity.

Even nine years on, 'Lineage M' continues to impress. The developer has laid the groundwork for long-term success through continuous server mergers and class balance adjustments. In particular, the 'Reboot Server', designed to lower the barrier to entry for new and returning players, has seen sustained popularity, with a massive influx of users following the reboot server merger and transfer event that began in late May. By June 4, 'Lineage M' had reclaimed the #1 spot on both the Android and iOS charts.

It is quite rare for a legacy title to claw its way back to the top in the cutthroat mobile market. Even more encouraging is that this resurgence follows the implementation of an internal payment system. By using their proprietary 'Purple' platform for transactions, NC has managed to bypass third-party market fees, thereby boosting operating profit—a strategy openly discussed in last year's Q4 earnings call. While this initially led to a dip in rankings on Google Play and the App Store, the game has proven its resilience by reclaiming the top spot regardless.

Furthermore, NC was bailed out of last year's crisis by the new title 'Aion 2' and the long-awaited 'Lineage Classic'. Launched in February, 'Lineage Classic' has exceeded market expectations on PC. The title drew in a massive crowd of players yearning for the original 1998 sensibilities and systems, resulting in persistent queues that kept the servers packed.

The mass return of players is rooted in nostalgic longing and a shift in monetization. 'Lineage Classic' initially adopted a classic subscription model mixed with battle pass sales. Much like the cosmetic-focused monetization of 'Aion 2', this was a bold gamble that led to a significant surge in PC revenue for Q1.

NC's Q1 revenue reached 557.4 billion KRW, a 55% increase year-on-year, with operating profit significantly improving to 113.3 billion KRW. PC gaming revenue, in particular, hit a record quarterly high of 318.4 billion KRW, largely thanks to 'Aion 2' and 'Lineage Classic'. Since 'Lineage Classic' launched in February, its revenue was not fully reflected in Q1; given reports that it generated 192.4 billion KRW in its first 90 days, we can expect even better performance in Q2.

Ultimately, the combination of 'Lineage Classic's' PC revenue growth and the renewed momentum of 'Lineage M' has put NC's 2026 Q1 performance back on the right track. It is clear that the 'Lineage' IP remains a powerhouse on both mobile and PC. We anticipate another strong showing in the Q2 earnings report due in August, built upon the solid foundation of the 'Lineage' name.