Netmarble opens pre‑registration for its new “ZERO” fresh‑start server, aiming to boost player acquisition and monetize its live‑service portfolio
Executive summary: Netmarble opened pre‑registration for ZERO, a fresh‑start server for its game RAVEN2, with a planned grand launch on September 15, 2026 (UTC+0). The initiative seeks to revitalize the player base of RAVEN2 and generate additional revenue through exclusive early‑access rewards, reflecting Netmarble’s focus on live‑service growth in a competitive mobile gaming market.
Who is involved: Netmarble (developer and publisher), prospective players of RAVEN2, and any partners providing the exclusive rewards and growth‑support events.
Likely next: The server will go live on September 15, 2026, followed by the distribution of pre‑launch rewards and subsequent monitoring of user engagement and monetization metrics.
Netmarble’s decision to open pre‑registration for the ‘ZERO’ fresh‑start server in RAVEN2 signals a tactical push to revitalize one of its live‑service titles while testing a proven acquisition lever. By offering a clean slate with exclusive early‑game rewards and growth‑support events, the publisher aims to attract both lapsed players who may have abandoned the game due to progression barriers and new users seeking an unburdened entry point. This approach aligns with a broader industry pattern where fresh‑start servers are used to spike short‑term engagement and create a cohort of players more likely to spend on cosmetic or convenience items during the early growth phase. The move also serves as a data‑collection exercise for Netmarble, allowing the company to gauge conversion rates from pre‑registrants to active users and to refine monetization tactics ahead of the official September 15 launch. While no financial targets or expected user numbers were disclosed, the initiative suggests that Netmarble is prioritizing player base expansion as a precursor to boosting recurring revenue from its live‑service portfolio. In the near term, observers can expect the server’s launch to be accompanied by performance metrics shared in subsequent earnings updates, which will clarify whether the fresh‑start model delivers the intended uplift in acquisition and ARPU.
Timeline
- — RAVEN2'S FRESH START SERVER "ZERO" NOW OPEN FOR PRE-REGISTRATION (PR Newswire)
Analysis — what this means
Likely next events
- Official launch of ZERO server on September 15, 2026 (UTC+0)
- Post‑launch reward distribution to pre‑registered players expected within one week of launch
Sectors affected
- mobile gaming
- live‑service MMORPG
Historical parallels
- Lineage 2 Revolution’s fresh‑start server launch in June 2021
- World of Warcraft Classic relaunch in 2021
Key entities
Sources
Open the full interactive case file on Beyond →