South Korea’s online game developer NCsoft Corp. will soon showcase a new version of Lineage M, mobile version of its mega-hit game Lineage, for the global launch.

“We will soon unveil a new version of Lineage M that is currently under development with a goal of hitting wider markets beyond some countries including South Korea and Taiwan,” the company’s chief executive Kim Taek-jin told reporters on Tuesday during a press conference held to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Lineage M. Kim made his first public appearance in December 2015 when the company held a press conference to mark the 17th anniversary of Lineage.

“We have become confident that Lineage M can be independently operated, although it was made compatible with a PC,” said Kim, adding that “the year 2018 will be the first year for the new Lineage M.” The company plans to update the game’s first episode Black Flame on May 30 and add independent contents developed just for Lineage M.

As for Lineage that celebrates the 20th anniversary this year, NCsoft said it has been developing a new version that enables users to enjoy the game with full high-definition resolution on a 16:9 wide screen. More details of the new version will be unveiled this summer, the company added.

Lineage M has maintained its top position on the Google Play Store since its launch in June 2017 and has also been in the top rank on Apple’s App Store.

Shares of NCsoft closed Tuesday up 5.52 percent at 353,500 won.

By Lee Sun-hee and Choi Mira

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]