NHN, also known as NHN, announced on the 20th that the mobile game "#Compass," developed by its Japanese game subsidiary NHN PlayArt and serviced in Japan, successfully concluded its regular offline event "#Compass Festival 8th ANNIVERSARY."
"#Compass" is a 3vs3 mobile battle game that has received consistent popularity since its launch in 2016, successfully targeting the Japanese fandom culture. It is characterized by being co-developed with Japanese Dwango and utilizing the "Niconico Douga" platform. From its early launch, it drew users' interest by collaborating with creators who maintained close relationships with fans. As fandom activity grew, it expanded its offline influence through hosting offline events and operating cafes continuously. Notably, the offline event "#Compass Festival" has firmly established itself as a cultural phenomenon among many fans, particularly among the younger generation (ages 10 to early 20s, Generation Z + Generation Alpha), held in major regions across Japan every year.
The "#Compass Festival 8th ANNIVERSARY" took place on the 14th at Makuhari Messe, a large exhibition center near Tokyo, themed around the game's 8th anniversary. Tickets for participation, which were available for purchase in advance, sold out within a month, and despite being a single-game event, attracted over 7,000 visitors. The online live broadcast was watched by a total of 305,139 viewers, with the number of simultaneous connections exceeding 8,900.
NHN plans to expand the influence of "#Compass" in Japan, spanning both online and offline. Firstly, on Feb. 8, 2025, they will hold the event "#Compass Secret Party," where attendees can enjoy "#Compass" music alongside bands, DJs, and dancers. In the summer, they plan to host the "#Compass Festival Street Caravan 2025" in various regions nationwide and will continue to hold festivals steadily. Additionally, an animation project based on "#Compass 2.0" is in preparation, aiming for broadcast in April next year.
Jeong Woo-jin, the head of NHN and NHN PlayArt, noted, "#Compass has been holding offline events seasonally since 2017, starting as part of the culture of the 10s and 20s generation. Our goal is to establish it as a game that players can fondly remember and play consistently as they age." He added, "NHN plans to release eight new games targeting the Japanese market in 2025, incorporating the case of "#Compass" to enhance the success potential of these games."