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Cover of GungHo Online Entertainment Business Report Vol. 42

GungHo Online Entertainment · 2024

GungHo Online Entertainment Business Report Vol. 42

GungHo Online Entertainment’s business report outlines a strategic transition from a Japan-centric mobile focus toward a diversified global entertainment model. The primary thesis centers on leveraging established intellectual properties, specifically Puzzle & Dragons and the Ragnarok series, to anchor international expansion while developing new console and PC titles for a worldwide audience. Financial data indicates a significant shift in revenue composition, with the overseas sales ratio rising steadily to reach 64.1% by late 2024. While consolidated net sales saw a decline from 125.3 billion yen in 2023 to 103.6 billion yen in 2024, the group maintained a strong capital-to-asset ratio of 75.9%. Performance in the first half of 2025 shows net sales of 50.5 billion yen and an operating profit of 5.0 billion yen. To enhance shareholder value, the company revised its return policy in February 2025, committing to a consolidated dividend payout ratio of 30% or more and executing substantial share cancellations. The report highlights the longevity of core titles, noting that Puzzle & Dragons celebrated its 13th anniversary with over 63 million downloads in Japan. To sustain this momentum, the group released Puzzle & Dragons 0 in May 2025 across 150 countries in 11 languages. Simultaneously, the Ragnarok IP, managed by subsidiary Gravity Co., Ltd., has grown from 5 billion yen in annual sales in 2008 to approximately 50 billion yen, driven by mobile expansions in Asia and new initiatives in Latin America. Future growth is targeted through multi-platform development and the revitalization of existing series. Key projects include the redevelopment of the survival action title Deathverse: Let It Die and the release of the Lunar Remastered Collection. By focusing on original IPs for consoles and PC—areas where the group can demonstrate technical expertise—GungHo aims to establish brand recognition in Western markets where it was previously less known.