Having enjoyed a rise in operating income and profit in the company’s Q1 financials, NCsoft Europe boss Geoff Heath told MCV that its recent success was largely down to the longevity of its product line-up and subscription base.

“We really have got great strength across our catalogue,” said Heath. “Lineage and Guild Wars just keep doing the business, so we’re not reliant on one product alone.

"Our subscription base in Europe is still growing and it’s worth stressing that these games take a huge effort to maintain and keep fresh with new content.”

“The starter packs are based on the idea of looking to grow the market ­– we don’t want to be perceived as a niche player. I think we’ve turned the lifecycle issue on its head with these titles as they continue to grow.”

And further expansion is on the agenda for the company, added Heath: “We are pushing further and further into Eastern Europe – Russia in particular has shown that it has a great appetite for Lineage II. Globally the business is growing everywhere. China has huge potential, and we’re always looking to grow and develop every market.”

NCsoft saw its operating income and profit rise 16 per cent year-on-year, with sales of $84.3 million.