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Classic IP, 30s-40s spenders and genre design fuel return of idle games

Idle games are resurfacing in South Korea’s mobile market as MMORPG-driven monetisation faces limits, spending power shifts to users in their 30s and 40s, and studios look to cut development costs. Nexon’s Maple Raising returned to the top of Google Play sales despite a major refund. Publishers are leaning on familiar IP such as Stone Age and The War of Genesis. Industry officials say IP draws downloads, but gameplay structure drives retention.