In a move which illustrates how the Korean dev market is fast becoming a new battleground for engine providers, Emergent has announced a new engine deal with a key studio in the lucrative MMO region.
Emergent has struck a licensing agreement with Korean developer Gorilla Banana Entertainment, providing the studio with the Gamebryo platform to develop upcoming MMORPG Red Blood.
Twelve months ago the South Korean government pledged to invest 80 billion Won ($63m) into the nation’s emerging games market, and since a string of engine and licence deals have emerged.
The two biggest players, or at least the two most vocal, is Emergent and Unreal Engine vendor Epic Games.
Epic has in the last year signed agreements with numerous Korean MMO studios – such as Anipark and Redduck – after opening its own Korean office.
Tools provider NaturalMotion recently established a new office in the South Korean capital, Seoul, after claiming that the nation is becoming a “major player on the international scene”.
Emergent, meanwhile, has been more aggressive – striking deals with SmileGate, Entwell and JoyMaster Interactive.
The group’s new deal with Gorilla Banana Entertainment continues that push for the market.