'Flyff Universe' has achieved its highest performance in its fifth year of service. The global HTML5 MMORPG, published by WEMADE Connect and developed by Gala Lab, has surpassed ₩100 billion in cumulative revenue since its live launch in 2022. It has maintained double-digit annual growth, and last year, its fourth year of service, it recorded its best performance since launch.

Typically, MMORPGs see their highest user traffic immediately after launch, with growth slowing and the initial hype fading over time. It is not uncommon for interest to drop sharply within the first year, so a game that lasts two to three years is often considered a long-term success.

According to WEMADE Connect, revenue for 'Flyff Universe' in the first half of this year increased by approximately 26.5% compared to the same period last year. During the same period, average Daily Active Users (DAU) rose by over 25%, Monthly Active Users (MAU) by 13.8%, and average Concurrent Users (MCU) by 22.5%. This trend runs counter to the typical lifecycle of long-term service games, where retention usually declines naturally over time.

The original 'Flyff' is an IP that has been in service for over 20 years, having launched in 2004. The game that inherited this IP has managed to boost both revenue and user metrics in its fifth year. WEMADE Connect attributes this success to the global esports tournament, the 'Flyff Universe World Championship (FWC)'.

Why FWC is a Season, Not Just a Tournament

For every FWC, a new dedicated server is opened. Participants develop new characters under identical conditions and compete in online qualifiers over several months to earn a spot in the offline World Finals. Unlike typical esports where users watch top-tier players compete, this structure allows global users to start from the same line and build the season together.

When a season begins, new users enter the game through the tournament, while existing users return to level up characters and participate in the competition. Gameplay and community activities flourish around the tournament. WEMADE Connect explained that this virtuous cycle is driving growth in both user metrics and financial performance.

Metrics Driven by the FWC Season: 4x Revenue Increase

The impact of the FWC is concentrated in the metrics during the season. FWC 2026, which began this April, saw twice as many pre-registrations compared to 2025. In the 30 days following the opening of the dedicated server, revenue jumped nearly fourfold compared to the previous 30 days, while new sign-ups increased by 166%, DAU by approximately 62%, MAU by approximately 34%, and average concurrent users by approximately 81%.

The upward trend continues year-over-year. Revenue in the 30 days following this year's dedicated server launch increased by approximately 18% compared to the same period last year. The FWC season is the period when user traffic is at its peak, with both the average daily user base and the number of paying users increasing by approximately 30% compared to the previous year.

The fact that metrics are concentrated around the season means that maintaining momentum during the off-season remains the next challenge. WEMADE Connect stated that it defines the FWC not as a one-off event, but as live service content that users build together over several months, and that it has managed operations to ensure community activities continue even between seasons.

FWC Finals Extend Beyond the Online World

Last October, about 3k fans gathered in Manila. The cumulative number of online livestream viewers exceeded 30,000, surpassing the scale of previous tournaments. The event featured not only the matches but also cosplay events, official merchandise sales, celebratory performances, and update announcements.

Users who spent months competing and cooperating on the same server met in person in Manila to watch the matches and share their gaming experiences. It is a venue where users of different languages and nationalities expand their relationships from online to offline through the common experience of 'Flyff Universe'.

WEMADE Connect will hold the 4th FWC Grand Finals in Manila, Philippines, this coming October. The total prize pool for this year's tournament is $110k (approximately ₩150 million), with users who passed the global qualifiers competing for the final victory. Detailed schedules and the scale of participation have not yet been disclosed.

A WEMADE Connect representative said, "Through the FWC, we have created a virtuous cycle where new and existing users enjoy the game together," adding, "We will continue to build a new growth model for long-term service games centered on user participation and community."