NAVER (CEO Choi Soo-yeon) announced on the 12nd that it has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MOU) with KRAFTON (CEO Kim Chang-han) to expand the esports content ecosystem for 'PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds' (PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS), marking the beginning of a long-term partnership.

Starting with this agreement, the two companies plan to create synergy by linking the streaming platform CHZZK with KRAFTON's PUBG esports IP, leveraging their respective platforms, game IPs, and community capabilities.

NAVER will first pursue multi-faceted collaborations based on PUBG esports IP, utilizing CHZZK's stable streaming technology and community-driven viewing culture. By enhancing the live viewing experience—such as broadcasting PUBG esports tournaments and establishing league partnerships—NAVER aims to broaden user touchpoints for the content and provide a differentiated experience exclusive to CHZZK by integrating it with the streamer ecosystem.

The companies will also collaborate on joint promotions and branding using esports IP. By linking with major PUBG leagues, they plan to expand content exposure across the NAVER ecosystem and increase user-participatory promotions, while also launching online and offline events to further broaden their reach among esports fans.

In particular, this agreement establishes a long-term cooperation structure to revitalize both PUBG esports and the CHZZK streamer ecosystem. NAVER intends to expand the collaborative foundation that allows CHZZK streamers to plan and produce diverse content tailored to their unique personalities and fandoms, further strengthening CHZZK's signature community-driven viewing culture.

Shin Seul-gi, Leader of Game Content Partnerships at NAVER, stated, "This MOU will serve as an opportunity to expand the user-centric esports viewing experience by combining the global IP competitiveness of PUBG esports with CHZZK's streaming and community capabilities. We will continue to work closely with KRAFTON to build a differentiated esports content ecosystem where streamers, users, and game IPs are organically connected."

Park Soo-yong, Head of Esports at KRAFTON, said, "Through this agreement, we plan to accelerate the strengthening of our PUBG esports content competitiveness by expanding ties with external platforms. We will continue to broaden user touchpoints through various collaborations and focus on expanding the PUBG esports fan base and advancing our content."

Meanwhile, NAVER's CHZZK is leading a participatory viewing culture, having been the first among domestic streaming platforms to introduce a 'co-viewing' feature that allows streamers and users to watch content together and communicate in real time. Through this partnership with KRAFTON, CHZZK plans to further expand its lineup of content based on global game IPs and continuously upgrade its services so that esports fans can enjoy a richer content experience within the NAVER ecosystem.