Dokkaebi's World Ranks Second in Revenue on Major App Stores

Kakao Games and Supercat launched Dokkaebi’s World on October 8, quickly claiming the top spot on the Apple App Store popularity chart and securing second place in revenue across both major app markets shortly after its release.

Dokkaebi’s World Takes Top App Store Spots

Pre-downloads opened at 11 a.m. on October 6, propelling the Korean-style Eastern fantasy MMORPG ‘World of the Goblin’ — widely known in domestic markets as ‘Dokkaebi’s World’ — to number one in popularity on the Apple App Store within roughly six hours.

When full service commenced on October 8, the game secured first place in popularity on Google Play on its release day. By the end of its first weekend, the title climbed to second place in revenue rankings on both major app stores.

Dokkaebi's World Ranks Second in Revenue on Major App Stores — Photo: biz.chosun.com

The publisher added a new server named ‘Bokbun’ at approximately 7:30 p.m. on October 10 while distributing special rewards to accommodate a surging player base. The game maintains a 4.6 user rating on Google Play based on more than 10,000 reviews.

Developer Supercat Builds Title Using Web Novel IP

Developer Supercat built the title using the intellectual property of Naver’s web novel and webtoon Myeolgwi Sudojeon (also translated as Challenge to Destroy the Demon King and Exorcism Chronicles), blending 2D pixel characters with 3D backgrounds steeped in traditional Korean aesthetics.

Management hosted a live broadcast on October 9, the day after launch, to detail specific improvements. Kakao Games plans to sustain the title through season-based updates every four weeks and an official communication channel named the ‘Dokkaebi Assembly’, with mobile users accessing the game via the Google Play Store and Apple App Store and PC users installing Google Play Games and utilizing the official World of Dokkaebi launcher.

South Korea's Kakao Games' New Title 'Dokkaebi's World' Tops Apple App Store in 6 Hours After Pre-Download Launch — Photo: BigGo Finance

Financial Pressures Face Kakao Games and Supercat

Developer Supercat recorded revenue of 5.2 billion won (approximately $3.9 million) and an operating loss of 18.2 billion won (approximately $13.6 million) in 2025, with royalty revenue shrinking to around 5.1 billion won and headcount dropping about 48% from 336 at the end of 2024 to 176 at the end of 2025. Publisher Kakao Games posted consolidated second-quarter revenue of 75 billion Korean won with widened operating losses of 23 billion Korean won, following previous quarters marked by consecutive losses.

We have worked to communicate with users and hear diverse opinions even before launch. We will continue to listen to their voices through various channels, including the ‘Dokkaebi Assembly,’ and reflect them in the service.

A Kakao Games official, via BigGo Finance

The company views this release as the first step in a sequential lineup of follow-up titles scheduled through the first half of next year. That upcoming pipeline includes the strategic adventure RPG Dungeon Arise, subsidiary XL Games’ action RPG ArcheAge Chronicles, Lionheart Studio’s OdinQ: Valkyrie’s Call, the open-world zombie survival game God Save Birmingham, the action RPG Chrono Odyssey, and the MMORPG ArcheAge S: Straits of Freedom.

PC players making purchases through Google Play Games can take advantage of a promotional discount of up to 90 percent running from launch day through October 17 on a first-come, first-served basis, with detailed information hosted on the official website and community.