Webzen establishes LA office

Korea-based game publisher Webzen will establish a US operation in Los Angeles, officials said today. The American facility, which will open immediately, is expected to operate as a full-scale game developer, publisher, and distributor.

Webzen CEO Nam Joo Kim said that the firm has already "reached critical mass as a global games publisher," with presences in Japan, China, Taiwan, and Korea. A little more than a year ago, Webzen launched MU Online in America and Europe, and has since recorded more than 56 million users who have registered to play the combat-based game. The massively multiplayer online role-playing game was already popular in Asia.

Today's announcement confirms that Webzen plans to bring its next game, the Howard Shore-scored SUN: Soul of the Ultimate Nation, to American PCs this year. It also reveals the company's plans to develop games for next-generation consoles. More specifics are expected in February.

"Webzen is very serious about its future success in the US," Kim said.