Last Published: 9/8/2020

Overview

 

2016

2017

2018

2019

Total Market Size

9,383,7

11,620.0

12,874,1

12,890,2

 

PC

4,029.8

4,014.9

4,525.8

4,457.4

 

Mobile

3,729.6

5,490.9

5,996.2

6,079.3

Console

226.3

330.5

476.1

469.2

Arcade

70.1

159.0

16.7

16.3

Others

1,328.0

1,625.1

1,708.9

1,720.5

Exchange Rate: 1 USD

1,161

1,131

1,100

1,165

Source: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (2019); Unit: $ millions.
Korea is the fourth largest game market in the world. According to the 2019 White Paper on Korean Games published by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the size of Korean game market is estimated to be $12.9 billion. The penetration rate of gamers within the general population in Korea is among the highest in the world. According to a survey by the Korea Creative Content Agency, more than 64 percent of Koreans between 10-65 years old are playing games on a regular basis.
Thanks to high-speed internet connection and a culture of internet cafés, Korea earned its name in the global game industry with PC games. Recently Korea diversified its profile into mobile gaming. For the first time, in 2017 the industry generated more sales from mobile games than PC games. In 2019, mobile games accounted for 90 percent of the total app revenue in Korea, an estimated $6.3 billion in sales. In terms of hottest genre, role-playing games are trending. Strategy, puzzle and board games are also popular genres in Korea.
In 2006 the Korean government introduced the “Game Industry Promotion Act,” which introduced several measures and regulations on games. For example, one specific measure, the shutdown regulation, prevents those under 16 from playing online games during the shutdown period, which is from 12 am – 6 am. Also, the government has put a limit on the amount of money one can bet in online board and card games. In 2020 the government is looking to relax some of the legal restrictions to support the growth of the industry rather than constrain it. The discussion includes implementing flexible game ratings system, increasing a limit on the amount of money one can bet within games and promoting the government led industry events, to name a few.

Opportunities

While domestic games might be the preference for Korean gamers, U.S. developers can jump into trendy genres and seize opportunity in the Korean market. International Gaming companies have successfully developed certain titles within genres, like strategy and casual games where there has been limited supply from local brands which have continued to focus on role playing games (RPGs). In order to be successful in the Korean market, it is important to comply with local regulations and invest in the localization process such as translating games and content into Korean.

Resources

Trade Shows

  • G-Star (November, Busan): https://www.gstar.or.kr
    Organized by KOTRA, a trade promotion organization operated by the South Korea government, G-Star is the largest trade show for game industry in Korea. Major Korean game developers as well as international companies have been participating the event.

  • Play X4 (May, Seoul): https://www.playx4.or.kr/
    Hosted by the Gyeonggi Provincial government, Play X4 is an exhibition focusing on small and medium developers in the Korean game industry.

Trade Associations and Government
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism: http://www.mcst.go.kr/english
Korea Creative Content Agency: http://www.kocca.kr 
Game Rating and Administration Committee: https://www.grac.or.kr
Korea Association of Game Industry: https://www.gamek.or.kr

Contact
Mr. Chan Hyuk Kim
Commercial Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service, Korea
U.S. Embassy Seoul
188, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu
Seoul 03141, Korea
Tel: 82-2-397-4466
E-mail: Chanhyuk.kim@trade.gov
http://www.export.gov/southkorea

Prepared by the International Trade Administration. With its network of more than 100 offices across the United States and in more than 75 markets, the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.