Neople
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersSeoul, South Korea
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
Neople firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Neople
- Legal name
- (주)네오플 (NEOPLE Inc.)
- Website
- https://neople.co.kr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Neople industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Video Game Development
- akta.pro primary industry
- Virtual Worlds & Social Sandbox Experiences (persistent social spaces) (MPAFAIAG)
Keywords
Where Neople is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seoul
- HQ country
- South Korea
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
Neople business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Free-to-Play with In-Game Purchases: Primary revenue model for Dungeon & Fighter and Cyphers: free initial access with monetization through in-game items, characters, and enhancements. Players spend on cosmetic items, convenience features, and power progression.
- Packaged Game Sales: The First Berserker: Khazan is sold as a packaged PC/console game with standard edition and Digital Deluxe Edition with bonus content.
- Licensing Royalties: Revenue generated from licensing Dungeon & Fighter IP to Tencent for China operations of Dungeon & Fighter Mobile and future games like Khazan.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Edition - Base game |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Digital Deluxe Edition - Premium with bonus content |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
Neople product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Neople is a Korean game development studio that designs, develops, and operates action games across PC, mobile, and console platforms. Its portfolio centers on the Dungeon & Fighter franchise, including the original 2D side-scrolling action RPG and its mobile adaptation, the Cyphers 3D action AOS game, the 2D fighting game DNF DUEL, and the 2025 hardcore action RPG The First Berserker: Khazan for PC and consoles.
Product overview
Neople is a game development company and subsidiary of Nexon, specializing in action games. The company's core portfolio includes Dungeon & Fighter (2D horizontal scrolling action RPG), Dungeon & Fighter Mobile (mobile adaptation), Cyphers (3D action AOS game), DNF DUEL (fighting game), and The First Berserker: Khazan (hardcore action RPG for PC/console). All major products are tied to the Dungeon & Fighter universe/IP, with The First Berserker: Khazan marking Neople's expansion into console packaging gaming.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Dungeon & Fighter (던전앤파이터) 2D horizontal scrolling action RPG combining fast-paced gameplay with RPG growth mechanics and satisfying combat impact. A long-running online game with 20+ years of service targeting PC online gamers.
- Dungeon & Fighter Mobile (던전앤파이터 모바일) Mobile adaptation of Dungeon & Fighter that recreates the classic version's gameplay with mobile-optimized controls, skill combo systems, and exclusive content for smartphone players.
- Cyphers (사이퍼즈) 3D action AOS (arena of strategy) game featuring diverse characters with unique action skills and dynamic 5v5 team battles, offering simple controls with satisfying combat feel.
- DNF DUEL (DNF 듀얼) 2D anime fighting game developed by Neople, ArcSys, and Eighting, preserving the intense action of the Dungeon & Fighter IP and available on PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.
- The First Berserker: Khazan (퍼스트 버서커: 카잔) Neople's first console/PC packaged game — a hardcore action RPG based on the Dungeon & Fighter universe, featuring 3 weapon types (dual swords, greatsword, spear), challenging boss battles, and 3D cel-animation-style graphics for hardcore console and PC gamers.
Companies that use Neople
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Neople technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Neople partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Korea National University of HeritageminorCollaborative project with Korea National University of Heritage featuring traditional crafts inspired by popular Korean game titles MapleStory and Dungeon & Fighter. Seven pieces are on permanent display at Neople headquarters as part of Nexon Foundation's 'Borderless' arts support initiative.
- Samsung ElectronicscoreSamsung collaborated with Neople to optimize The First Berserker: Khazan as a showcase title for the Odyssey 3D (G90XF) glasses-free 3D gaming monitor. The partnership involves eye-tracking, view-mapping, and lenticular lens technology optimization to deliver immersive 3D experiences without additional equipment.
- Tencent GamescoreTencent Games handles publishing of The First Berserker: Khazan in China as PC platform service through WeGame. Neople is collaborating with Tencent to localize Khazan's gameplay for the Chinese market.
- Nexon FoundationminorNeople participates in Nexon Foundation's 'Borderless' arts support initiative, collaborating on cultural projects that showcase Korean traditional crafts inspired by game IP.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Neople competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- NCSoft: NCSoft is a Korean game developer behind Lineage, Aion, and Blade & Soul - persistent online action games with comparable target audience (Korean/Asian MMORPG players) and similar F2P + cosmetic monetization. Direct competitor for the Korean action MMO/ARPG segment.
- Pearl Abyss: Pearl Abyss develops Black Desert Online, a leading Korean MMORPG with similar high-fidelity action combat, F2P monetization, and global market reach (including China via Tencent). Direct peer in the premium Korean action MMORPG category.
- HoYoverse (miHoYo): HoYoverse developed Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Honkai Impact - premium action RPGs with F2P gacha monetization, multi-platform release, and strong China/Korea/Japan market penetration. Direct competitor in the action RPG segment Khazan targets.
- Krafton: Krafton is the Korean game developer behind PUBG and is now expanding into action/survival games (The Callisto Protocol, inZOI). Comparable as a publicly-listed Korean game studio with global franchises and live-service operations.
- FromSoftware: FromSoftware developed Elden Ring, Dark Souls, and Armored Core - the leading Soulslike and hardcore action game franchise. Khazan explicitly targets this audience with 'observation, analysis, and strategic response' combat mechanics. Closest comparable for Khazan's gameplay positioning.
- Capcom: Capcom develops Monster Hunter, Devil May Cry, and Street Fighter - premium action games with similar combat feel, boss-based gameplay, and hardcore audience. Khazan is positioned in the same Soulslike/Monster Hunter-adjacent action segment.
- Arc System Works: Arc System Works is a Japanese fighting game developer (Guilty Gear, BlazBlue) and direct co-development partner on DNF Duel with Neople. Comparable as a specialized action/fighting game studio with strong technical and artistic capabilities.
- Smilegate: Smilegate developed CrossFire, the highest-grossing FPS franchise, and Lost Ark (via Amazon publishing in West). Comparable Korean developer with massive global FPS/MMO user bases and similar F2P monetization model.
Broad incumbents
- Square Enix:
- Bandai Namco Entertainment: Bandai Namco is a major Japanese game publisher behind Tekken, Dark Souls (publishing FromSoftware), and Elden Ring. Comparable as a broad incumbent with multi-genre action game portfolio and strong Asia-Pacific distribution.
Market position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights4 records
Customer concentration
Neople social profiles
Digital presenceNeople financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Neople leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Neople funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Neople M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Neople
What does Neople do?
Neople is a Korean game development studio that designs, develops, and operates action games across PC, mobile, and console platforms. Its portfolio centers on the Dungeon & Fighter franchise, including the original 2D side-scrolling action RPG and its mobile adaptation, the Cyphers 3D action AOS game, the 2D fighting game DNF DUEL, and the 2025 hardcore action RPG The First Berserker: Khazan for PC and consoles.
Is Neople a public or private company?
Neople is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Neople founded?
Neople was founded in 2001. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Neople based?
Neople is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, in the Asia region.
How does Neople make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Free-to-Play with In-Game Purchases are the primary driver. The others are packaged Game Sales and licensing Royalties.
Who are Neople's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are NCSoft, Pearl Abyss, HoYoverse (miHoYo), Krafton, FromSoftware, Capcom, Arc System Works and Smilegate. Broad incumbents are Square Enix and Bandai Namco Entertainment.
Does Neople have an API?
No public API is recorded for Neople.
What industry is Neople in?
Neople's product category is Video Game Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAIAG, Virtual Worlds & Social Sandbox Experiences (persistent social spaces).