KRAFTON, Inc. announced that its upcoming title Dark and Darker Mobile, developed by Bluehole Studio, has attracted more than 10,000 participants in just three days at gamescom 2024 in Cologne, Germany. This milestone is particularly noteworthy considering the dominance of PC and console platforms in the European market, making it an unprecedented achievement for a mobile game at the event.
The Dark and Darker Mobile booth was one of the largest interactive spaces at this year’s gamescom, designed to accommodate as many attendees as possible. The booth featured 90 hands-on stations, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops, allowing a vast number of visitors to experience the game firsthand. In addition to the main booth, KRAFTON collaborated with partners like Samsung Electronics and TikTok to set up additional demo stations across three halls, providing a total of 120 stations for attendees to explore the game.
By attracting over 10,000 hands-on participants in just three days, KRAFTON has shattered the myth that mobile games can’t thrive in the European market. Attendees who experienced the game shared positive feedback, highlighting the engaging manual controls, diverse character classes, and high-quality graphics. Many expressed anticipation for the official release later this year.
While Dark and Darker Mobile made a significant impact at G-STAR 2023 in Korea with a booth themed around the "Goblin Cave" dungeon, the Gamescom booth took things further with a larger, immersive setup based on the "Forgotten Castle" dungeon.
In addition to the gameplay demos, daily quiz shows and cosplay events kept the crowd entertained. Attendees who participated in the demos and completed challenges were rewarded with various Dark and Darker Mobile themed merchandise, including wizard hats and capes —popular items from G-STAR 2023— along with tavern-themed wooden mugs and limited-edition board games. The sight of attendees donning wizard hats throughout the venue underscored the game's popularity.
The booth also drew notable influencers, including European stars like Lara Loft and Zizaran. Over 10 influencers visited the booth, participating in demos and live streaming their experiences, significantly boosting Dark and Darker Mobile's visibility. Some even held impromptu fan meetings, drawing large crowds and adding to the excitement.
Joonseok Ahn, the Executive Producer of Dark and Darker Mobile at Bluehole Studio, expressed his satisfaction with the event: "We are thrilled to see the strong interest and anticipation for Dark and Darker Mobile among Western audiences, as evidenced by the overwhelming response at Gamescom. We encourage gamers worldwide to join the ongoing global pre-registration."
Dark and Darker Mobile kicked off its global pre-registration during the Opening Night Live at gamescom 2024 on August 20th. Players can pre-register via Google Play, Apple App Store, Galaxy Store, and Google Play Games for PC. Those who pre-register will receive an exclusive Grade-A mercenary and a limited-edition costume skin upon the game's release.
