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(Photo=Kakao Games) |
[Alpha Biz= Reporter Paul Lee] For the first time since Kakao acquired SM Entertainment, it will create an artist game belonging to SM through Kakao Games, a game subsidiary. Kakao is expected to expand its business using SM's intellectual property rights (IP).
Kakao Games announced on the 16th that it has signed an IP license agreement with SM Entertainment and released a mobile game development plan using SM idol groups.
Kakao Games and SM Entertainment unveiled SM Game Station, the first digital card-collecting mobile game featuring various idol artists from SM Entertainment. Kakao Games is responsible for global distribution (publishing) and service of games. Kakao Games' blockchain and game subsidiary Metabo will develop, while SM Entertainment will provide IP for its idol group.
SM Game Stage serves as a manager for artists who lead the global K-pop market.
It is the first time that Kakao uses SM's IP since it became SM's largest shareholder. Kakao became the largest shareholder in March last year by securing a 20.76% (4,946,821 shares) stake in SM through an open purchase. Adding a stake (19.11%) in Kakao Entertainment, Kakao's entertainment agency, Kakao holds 39.87% of SM shares.
The two companies plan to create new synergy in the global digital content market by utilizing their fandom in the game and entertainment sectors.
AlphaBIZ Paul Lee(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)
