Major game companies in Korea have begun public recruitment for new employees in the second half of the year. The gaming industry is showing a focus on securing new talent to ensure mid- to long-term growth momentum, despite the increased burden of labor costs since the COVID-19 pandemic. As the average annual salary of major game companies exceeds 100 million won, the interest of job seekers is expected to be high.
According to the gaming industry on the 5th, NEXON, which recorded its highest-ever revenue in the first half of this year, is set to hire a new workforce in the triple-digit range. NEXON is recruiting applicants for its 2025 hiring internship program 'NEXTORIAL' until 5 p.m. on the 15th. Now in its fifth year, 'NEXTORIAL' is known for offering not only practical experience in the field but also salaries and benefits comparable to full-time positions, leading to high competition.
This year, NEXTORIAL will involve three corporations: NEXON KOREA, NEXON GAMES, and NEXON UNIVERSE, hiring across a total of nine institutional sectors, including ▲game programming ▲game planning ▲game art ▲game business ▲overseas business ▲engineering ▲production ▲web planning ▲management support. Talent verified for their skills and qualities during the employment period can be converted into permanent employees without a limit on numbers.
Kakao Games has opened recruitment for the second half of the year through a public hiring initiative with Kakao Group. This recruitment involves six major affiliates, including Kakao, Kakao Mobility, KakaoBank, Kakao Entertainment, and Kakao Pay, along with Kakao Games. Applicants can apply to only one of the six companies, and applications will be accepted starting from the 8th through the respective hiring pages of each company. The process includes document review, coding tests (for tech roles), and interviews. Kakao Group aims to hire a three-digit number of new employees and will conduct common introductory training.
Global mobile game publisher Supercent has announced its first large-scale hiring across all job categories since its establishment. This recruitment runs from the 25th of last month to the 7th and aims to acquire a triple-digit number of talent. The recruitment fields include ▲artificial intelligence (AI) ▲game programming ▲planning ▲art across all areas of game development, as well as positions such as mobile game project manager, global performance marketer, and creative manager, covering 50 job categories for experienced, new, and intern hires. Document applications are possible through the Supercent hiring website, and interviews will be flexibly conducted according to the schedules of those who pass. Depending on the nature of the job, assignments, online tests, and coding tests are anticipated.
NHN has completed the application process for public recruitment for the second half of the year and is currently in the selection process. This recruitment targets fields such as web board, casual, mid-core, and subculture, selecting talent across all job categories related to development, planning, art, and business. In the case of Netmarble, it selected university student supporters last month and is currently supporting their activities. Netmarble has been running the university student participation program 'Marvel Challenger' since 2013, with about 60% of graduates entering the gaming industry, serving as a stepping stone in their careers.
Despite the increased labor cost burden following COVID-19, the gaming industry is moving forward with hiring new talent to secure mid- to long-term growth momentum. According to Korea Credit Rating, the combined labor cost of the top 10 game companies in Korea is expected to increase by 78.3% in 2023 compared to 2019. The proportion of labor costs in total revenue rose from 23.5% in 2019 to 29.9% in 2023. Labor costs serve as the biggest fixed expense for game companies.
A representative from the gaming industry noted, "It is true that some development tasks are being replaced by artificial intelligence (AI) technology, but game design and content development remain areas for humans. With global competition becoming fierce, proactively securing outstanding talent is key."
Another representative from the gaming industry said, "To attract young consumers, it is important to reflect the latest trends, and securing young developers who can implement this is crucial. Given that the domestic gaming industry is aging, we need to inject new and fresh ideas through new employee recruitment."
The average annual salary of major game companies in Korea exceeds 100 million won, drawing the interest of many job seekers. Last year, NEXON KOREA recorded an average annual salary of 122 million won. Other companies reported salaries as follows: SHIFT UP (130 million won), KRAFTON (109 million won), NCSOFT (108 million won), Kakao Games (88 million won), and Netmarble (77 million won).