Repeated Declarations of ''This Time Is Different''… History of NC Soft Strategy Changes

On January 21, 2026, controversy erupted simultaneously in two NC Soft games. Aion 2 revealed new subscription products with price increases and period reductions (2 months → 1 month), triggering immediate backlash and emergency live broadcast. Lineage Classic announced paid season pass on January 20, withdrew it just one day later on the 21st. Three hypotheses: (1) Market Testing Strategy — NC deliberately tests paid BM reactions then withdraws without image damage if failed; (2) Organizational Disconnect — internal whistleblowing suggests the business division exercises excessive influence over development, explaining why developer promises at showcases get overridden at launch; (3) Sunk Cost Chains — NC precisely understands that users with billions invested in characters cannot leave despite anger. Aion 2 shows some genuine change: active communication, quick feedback, relatively reasonable BM. Lineage Classic''s return to monthly subscription is meaningful. But the same pattern repeats — withdrawal 3 hours after launch, emergency restoration on Season 2 day 1, same controversy across two games simultaneously. Users know the pattern. Does NC Soft not know that users know? Or knowing, do they calculate users won''t leave anyway?