Devsisters returned to an operating profit in the third quarter, helped by the new title "CookieRun: Crumble" and growth in the overseas service "CookieRun Classic".

Devsisters said on Monday it posted consolidated third-quarter revenue of 81.2 billion won, operating profit of 7.2 billion won and net profit of 3.7 billion won. Revenue rose 48 percent from a year earlier and operating profit swung to a profit.

Results reflected early performance from the new title "CookieRun: Crumble". The game generated cumulative revenue of 20.0 billion won before reaching one month since launch.

After a recent update, it re-entered the No. 3 spot in game sales on the Apple App Store in South Korea. Monthly play time also rose 30 percent compared with the early launch period. Devsisters plans to add a new competitive mode and progression elements this month.

"CookieRun Classic" is expanding users and revenue, centered on Thailand. After adding Thai language support last month, new local user inflows rose about 1.5 times from the week before the update.

It is also continuing region-by-region strategies for existing games. "CookieRun: Kingdom" has seen increases in revenue and new and active user metrics in the United States since it began a collaboration with the animation "Amazing Digital Circus" on Oct. 21. It will introduce the all-server integrated competitive content "Champions League" on Tuesday.

"CookieRun: OvenBreak" saw an increase in new and returning users after its 10th anniversary update. The company plans to expand the winter season "Santa School" storyline and, over the longer term, push user-participation content and build a mini-game platform.

"CookieRun: Tower of Adventures" is preparing for a launch in China. It began a second closed beta test, or CBT, for about 30,000 people on Oct. 29 to review China-specific content, system optimization and monetisation structure. The game received a Chinese licence in August.

Non-game revenue fell as the quarter had fewer major product launches and promotions.

In the fourth quarter, it will release new starter decks and booster packs for North America for "CookieRun: Braverse Card Game" and 10th anniversary products for "CookieRun: OvenBreak". Devsisters is targeting annual cumulative non-game revenue of more than 20.0 billion won.

It will also run winter season collaborations at Lotte World Adventure and Lotte World Adventure Busan, expanding offline licensing for the CookieRun intellectual property, or IP.

Operating costs rose as advertising and promotion expenses and commissions increased with the launch of a new title. Profitability improved as cost efficiency measures implemented since the first half of the year, a drop in one-off personnel-related costs and fixed-cost reductions were reflected.

Devsisters plans to keep expanding its game lineup and CookieRun IP business while continuing to improve organisational operations and business structure efficiency.