Shift Up said on Sunday its first-quarter operating profit fell 18.1 percent from a year earlier to 21.5 billion won, even as sales rose 12 percent to 47.3 billion won. Net profit rose 40.8 percent to 37.8 billion won. The company said profitability weakened as operating expenses increased and revenue from key IPs fell from the previous quarter. Operating expenses rose 61.4 percent year on year to 25.8 billion won.

South Korean game companies are increasingly turning to consoles as growth in mobile games slows. A Korea Creative Content Agency report showed console game exports rose 15.1 percent in 2024 to $213.76 million, the fastest growth among platforms, while PC game exports fell. Recent sales successes, including Pearl Abyss’ Crimson Desert, have reinforced the shift. Companies are expanding multi-platform lineups, though revenue structures and long development cycles pose challenges.