Why AI Matters?

From Trend to Survival Strategy

During the pandemic, the game industry experienced explosive growth.

However, post-pandemic, it now faces new challenges; skyrocketing user acquisition (UA) costs, structural limitations due to over-reliance on mobile revenue, and a pullback in investment.

In response, many game companies need to use AI, not for novelty, but as a practical solution to improve development efficiency and business scalability.

The rise of generative AI in late 2022 has only accelerated this shift. As a result, AI is no longer optional; it’s become a “survival strategy” for them.

ℹ️How are Leading Korean Game Companies Approaching AI?

Due to the nature of AI projects — which require significant investment in datasets, technical infrastructure, and specialized human resource— adoption in Korea has so far been led by large-scale game companies such as Krafton, Nexon, Netmarble, and NCSoft.

As of 2024, over 20% of R&D initiatives at major Korean game studios were AI/ML-related. The main trends include:

Automation of game development using AI

Personalized content based on player and NPC behavior

Operational automation and strengthened security

New genre experimentation beyond MMORPGs, with monetization models guided by predictive analytics

AI strategy is no longer just about adopting new technology. It is now driving fundamental changes across the game experience - enhancing immersion, boosting productivity, and reshaping monetization models.

ℹ️ Who is using AI and why does it matter?

Previous waves of technological change in gaming were mostly led by developers and engineers.

However, generative AI is changing that pattern by placing business planners and operators at the center.

According to the 2025 GDC survey, the areas where generative AI is most widely adopted in the gaming industry include the following:

In other words, AI is no longer limited to development or engineering teams.

Despite this shift, most available references and case studies are still focused on technical audiences.

As a result, business and operations professionals who are most eager to use AI often lack practical and relevant guidance.

✅ So, what is this content series about?

This series offers an AI guide tailored to game business and operations professionals.

The focus is not on how technology works, but on what kinds of real-world challenges AI can help solve from the perspective of people working in the field.

♻️ Final Thoughts

AI is no longer just a passing trend. It is a strategic priority.

One reason why nearly 70 percent of game startups in Korea shut down within one to two years is the adoption of technology without a clear business strategy.

The same lesson applies to AI.

The key is to design AI applications that align with your business model.

Success does not come from simply using AI, but from using it to solve the right problems.

Through this series, we will explore realistic and actionable AI strategies that support survival and growth in the game industry.

※ Disclaimer: This content reflects the author’s personal views and includes only publicly available examples. It does not represent the official position of any company mentioned