Harmonix and NCSOFT Enter Strategic Partnership for Multiplatform Publishing Deal

The Upcoming PC and Console Product from High Profile Developer the Latest Step in NCSOFT's Growth Strategy

BOSTON and ALISO VIEJO, Calif. – Aug. 2, 2018 – Rock Band™ and DropMix™ creators Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. and Lineage® and Blade & Soul® creators NCSOFT are entering into a strategic partnership to develop and release a new software-based game. Still in extremely early stages of development, the upcoming title is expected to release on PC and consoles. NCSOFT will assume publishing responsibilities with Harmonix focusing on the game’s development. Details about the project will become available in the future as development continues.

“This partnership is representative of NCSOFT’s ambition to reach beyond the PC and mobile MMORPG space with new and innovative titles,” said Dr. Songyee Yoon, president, NCSOFT. “Harmonix’s decades of expertise at the intersection of music licensing and video game development are second to none, and we can’t wait to introduce their upcoming project to the world.”

“We’re thrilled to team up with NCSOFT as a publisher that shares our vision for the evolution of entertainment, and what it takes to build a community on modern gaming platforms,” said Steve Janiak, CEO, Harmonix. “NCSOFT’s stellar reputation as a partner, combined with its incredible publishing expertise, means that we can focus fully on developing our next genre-defining music experience. I am fully confident they will help deliver what I genuinely believe will be a one-of-a-kind game.”

The partnership with Harmonix is the latest high profile partnership NCSOFT has made in recent years, and is part of the company’s current strategy to expand its presence in the digital entertainment space. It follows the recent investment of approximately $19.7 million (22 billion Korean Won) in the VFX studio 4th Creative Party (‘Okja,’ ‘Snowpiercer’) and other third party game developers, including This Game Studio. NCSOFT’s third party partnerships are complementary to its first party growth and external acquisitions, which include the establishment of Iron Tiger Mobile Studios in 2015.

About Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.

Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., based in Boston, MA, and established in 1995, is the leading developer of groundbreaking music-oriented video games. Harmonix was founded to invent new ways for non-musicians to experience the unique joy that comes from making music and has pioneered music and rhythm gaming in the US. For more information, please visit www.harmonixmusic.com.

About NCSOFT

NCSOFT, headquartered in Seoul, Korea, is the world's premier publisher and developer of massively multiplayer online games, including the critically acclaimed Aion®, Blade & Soul®, Lineage®, Guild Wars®, and WildStar® franchises. NCSOFT West is a division of NCSOFT that holds operating responsibilities for North America, Europe, South America, and Australia/New Zealand. More information can be found at www.ncsoft.com.