Netmarble is bringing back its space fantasy franchise with a free-to-play approach, aiming to attract both nostalgic fans and new players in the competitive multiplayer gaming market.
The South Korean gaming company will launch RF Online Next on March 20, offering large-scale combat features that support up to 450 simultaneous players. The game introduces “Sacred Equipment” – powerful gear available to all players without purchases – and customizable “Biosuits” for different combat scenarios.
This release marks Netmarble’s first major MMORPG launch of 2024 as the company seeks to strengthen its position in the $200 billion global gaming industry. The title allows players to engage in massive battles for resource control and planetary domination.
Netmarble Entu CEO Kwon Min-kwan said the company designed the game to leverage the existing RF Online fanbase while drawing in new players. The gaming firm has opened pre-registration with in-game rewards to build momentum before launch.
The move comes as Netmarble faces increasing competition from rival game developers like NCSoft and Kakao Games in the Korean market, where mobile and PC gaming remain dominant entertainment formats.
