Perfect World, the powerhouse behind acclaimed titles like *Persona 5: The Phantom X* and *One Punch Man: World*, is navigating through turbulent times. In a major shakeup, former CEO Xiao Hong and co-CEO Lu Xiaoyin have stepped down following a significant round of layoffs affecting over a thousand employees and a disappointing financial report, according to Game Gyroscope's report on the Chinese WeChat forum. Despite their departure, there's chatter that they will remain as directors. Stepping into the CEO role is Gu Liming, a seasoned veteran who previously served as Senior Vice President. This leadership change signals Perfect World's intent to recalibrate and chart a new course. It's a pivotal moment, and the gaming community is eager to see what new strategies Gu Liming will implement.
Rough Patch for Perfect World
The company has faced substantial challenges, including significant layoffs and declining revenue from its current game portfolio. Even *One Punch Man: World*, which was expected to be a major hit, underperformed during its international beta testing and has seen no updates on the App Store or Google Play since April. Perfect World anticipates a stark financial downturn in the first half of 2024, projecting a net loss ranging from 160 to 200 million yuan, a sharp contrast to the 379 million yuan profit recorded the previous year. The gaming sector is expected to bear the brunt of this loss, with a projected net loss of 140 to 180 million yuan.
Adding to the woes, the middle office team has been drastically reduced from 150 to just a handful of dozen employees. Yet, amidst these challenges, there's a glimmer of hope with the upcoming update for *Tower of Fantasy*. This ambitious open-world gacha RPG from Hotta Studio is set to release Version 4.2 on August 6, 2024, which could inject some much-needed excitement and potentially improve financial performance.
On a brighter note, Perfect World's newly announced game, *Neverness to Everness*, has already stirred significant interest. Although it won't hit the market until 2025 at the earliest, it has garnered nearly three million pre-registrations worldwide within just a week, signaling strong gamer anticipation for this urban-themed open-world RPG.
The coming months are crucial for Perfect World as the new management works to steer the company away from its current troubles. Key initiatives, streamlined operations, and a focus on financial recovery will be essential. Whether Perfect World can reclaim its footing remains to be seen.
For more updates and other gaming news, don't miss our coverage on *Wang Yue: The Open World ARPG* as it emerges from the shadows and approaches its testing phase.
