NHN and Neowiz relied on web board games in the first quarter as the impact from major new releases was limited. Payment indicators improved after a change in the regulatory environment, including a higher monthly spending cap for web board games that took effect on Feb. 3. NHN reported rising average revenue per paying user across all web board titles and sharp growth for its Royal Hold\'em game tied to offline tournaments. Neowiz also cited a rebound in ARPPU for its web board games, supporting mobile revenue growth.

A forum of game industry experts said a planned full revision of South Korea\'s Game Industry Promotion Act should shift the system from regulation to promoting game culture and the industry. Participants also called for more detailed safeguards on web-board game rules, identity verification and legal guardian consent, and how a damage redress centre is run. They raised concerns about defining game over-immersion and the scope and expertise of the redress centre.