South Korean gaming industry expands presence at Tokyo Game Show 2026

South Korean government officials and lawmakers visited the Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2026 in Chiba, Japan, to support the nation's expanding gaming presence. The number of South Korean participating companies rose significantly to 127, more than doubling from the previous year. Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young, accompanied by members of the National Assembly, toured booths from major developers including Nexon, Netmarble, NCSoft, Smilegate, and NHN to observe local market reactions and discuss industry growth.

Major Korean developers are increasingly targeting the Japanese market by diversifying platforms beyond mobile to include PC and consoles, with a specific focus on the subculture genre. NCSoft, for instance, is testing new intellectual property with its upcoming title ‘Astrae Oratio’. Developed by Dynamis One, the game features a unique setting in a magical version of Tokyo and aims to move beyond traditional MMORPG formats to capture the subculture market. The title is slated for a mobile release in 2027, with a PC version planned simultaneously.