Ncsoft Makes Strategic Equity Investment in US Studio emptyvessel
– 2 min read
As part of its publishing initiative, Ncsoft has made a strategic equity investment in US studio emptyvessel. This injection of funding will help drive the development of the cyberpunk squad-based tactical shooter Defect.
Korean publisher and developer Ncsoft has announced that it has made a strategic equity investment in Austin, Texas-based independent development studio emptyvessel. Founded by developers from Activision, Disney, id Software, Microsoft and Naughty Dog, emptyvessel is a AAA game studio currently developing the cyberpunk squad-based tactical shooter Defect powered by Unreal Engine 5. The studio released its YouTube reveal trailer in 2024, which has garnered 1.9 million views.
"We started working on Defect with a simple belief, that great games come from focused, passionate teams who are empowered to take creative risks," said emptyvessel Game Director Emanuel Palalic. "That's why we're excited to partner with Ncsoft. From the start, they've understood our goal, not just to build a game, but to build a better environment for the developers behind it. Ncsoft's support and expertise will help us take Defect and Empty Vessel to the next level."
NC West, Ncsoft's North American subsidiary, made the investment in the studio earlier this week. Based on this investment, Ncsoft and emptyvessel will form a long-term partnership, including publishing rights for Defect.
"Empty Vessel is a AAA development studio established by game art and sound experts with successful experience and fandom in the global major genre of shooting games," said Ncsoft Co-CEO Byung-moo Park. "We will continue to invest in securing new global IPs and building a genre-specific cluster pipeline."
As part of its publishing initiative, Ncsoft is focusing on building genre-specific development clusters and securing a global portfolio through domestic and international investments. In addition to emptyvessel, Ncsoft has invested in Sweden's Moon Rover Games, Poland's Virtual Alchemy and Korea's Mistil Games, which is currently developing first-person shooter Time Takers, as well as Vic Game Studio.
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