Solo Leveling: ARISE Wins Korea Game Awards Grand Prize; Special Rewards Event for Players

Netmarble's Solo Leveling: ARISE emerged as South Korea's top gaming achievement of the year with the Presidential Prize at the 2024 Korea Game Awards. Declared on November 13, the award is not only an affirmation of the game's dominance in the mobile gaming sphere but also of its position in the global popularity of K-content.

A Phenomenon Built on a Global Sensation

Based on the hit webtoon Solo Leveling, ARISE connects with a massive international fanbase across Japan, Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe. Anticipation for the game has been huge prior to launch as evidenced by 15 million pre-registrations - an unusual milestone in South Korean gaming history.

Since its global launch on May 8, 2024, the game has really taken the world of online games by storm. After just five months, it has already racked up 50 million users. This is just one indicator that the seamless adaptation of a beautiful IP into a compelling action RPG has definitely paid off.

Fun Fact: The original webtoon of Solo Leveling is credited to boosting interest in Korean webcomics across the globe. ARISE just takes the legacy a notch higher.

 

 

Amazing Rewards To Grab!

To mark the occasion, players can grab an SSR Jinwoo Weapon Selection Ticket, 100 Draw Tickets, and other exclusive gifts. It’s their way of saying thanks for all the support and love from the community.

 

Initial Rewards (since 11/13):
  

 •    30 Rate-Up Draw Tickets
    •    1 Jinwoo Weapon Selection Ticket Vol. 1

New Celebration Rewards:

For players with Sung Jinwoo at Level 30 or higher:
    1.    Reward Set 1:
    •    20 Rate-Up Draw Tickets
    •    20 Custom Draw Tickets
    2.    Reward Set 2:
    •    30 Custom Draw Tickets
    •    1 Legendary Blessing Stone Selection Chest

Don’t miss out on this limited-time celebration—it’s the perfect opportunity to power up and enjoy even more of Solo Leveling: ARISE!

Why ARISE Stood Out

Refreshing Single-Player Focus

Unlike the usual South Korean fare for MMORPG games, Solo Leveling: ARISE focuses on single-player gameplay with manual control. This puts players directly in the shoes of the underdog E-rank hunter Sung Jinwoo as he rises to levels of power that are unprecedented.

Monetization Done Right

The game avoids heavy-handed monetization and gained accolades for its more friendly approach to monetization when coupled with predatory in-game purchases dominating the mobile market as of late.

Engrossing narrative constructed in good depth based on the source material, much to the delight of the players. The game does not rely solely on the popularity of Solo Leveling but expands upon the narrative while staying true to the essence of the webtoon.

Turning the Tide for Netmarble

A drastic turnaround in the fortunes of Netmarble came with ARISE, sending the company into seven consecutive quarters of losses after succeeding in the cost-cutting measures.

For Netmarble, this was its first Presidential Prize in nine years, ensuring a solid revival in the highly competitive gaming market. Many in the industry had predicted a win by ARISE; Shift Up's Stellar Blade and Nexon's The First Descendant were touted as outright favorites for the win.

 

 

A win for K-Content

Beyond gaming, Solo Leveling: ARISE is indeed a bright example of the influence of South Korea's webtoon industry in global media. Its tie-up with this up-and-coming sector helped expand its reach and also secured cultural relevance.

What Lies Ahead in Future for Solo Leveling: ARISE?

With monumental success, ARISE sets a high bar for future adaptations of Korean webtoons. Will it be the start of sequels or serve as a foundation to spawn more games based on some of the more popular webtoons? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure—Netmarble is back in the game, and ARISE is leading the charge.

Your Turn: Have you tried out Solo Leveling: ARISE yet? What are your impressions of its gameplay and storytelling? Let's discuss how this game stacks up in the ever-changing world of K-content adaptations!