South Korean game developers are preparing for a wave of zombie-themed titles this year as they seek to target gamers in North America and Europe, where the genre remains popular.
According to multiple sources from the game industry on Tuesday, Wemade Co., Kakao Games Corp., NHN Corp, and Nexon Co. are among the developers planning launches of zombie-themed survival and shooting games later this year.
NHN’s new title, “Darkest Days,” which has been in open beta since April 24, is set for official release in the second quarter.
The game allows players to build communities and battle for survival in a zombie apocalypse setting.
Oneway Ticket Studio, a game title developer affiliated with Wemade, is also finalizing “The Midnight Walkers,” a zombie shooter in which players must navigate a large building complex while fighting off zombies and rival survivors.
Kakao Games targets a release for “God Save Birmingham” in the fourth quarter, a zombie survival game set in 14th-century England. Nexon is developing “Nakwon: Last Paradise,” a post-apocalyptic simulation game set in a zombie-infested Korean city.
“Zombie themes resonate strongly in Western markets,” said an industry official. “While ghosts appeal more to Asian audiences, zombies are a cultural touchpoint for users in the U.S. and Europe.”
By Jeong Ho-jun and Han Yubin
[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]
