Perfect World, the powerhouse behind acclaimed titles such as *Persona 5: The Phantom X* and *One Punch Man: World*, is navigating through a significant leadership overhaul. Amidst layoffs affecting over a thousand employees and a disappointing financial quarter, CEOs Xiao Hong and Lu Xiaoyin have stepped down, according to a report by Game Gyroscope on the Chinese WeChat forum. However, there's a twist—they are expected to remain with the company as directors.
Stepping into the CEO role is Gu Liming, a veteran of the company who previously served as Senior Vice President. This leadership transition signals Perfect World's intent to recalibrate its course and embark on a fresh strategic path. The industry is abuzz with anticipation over the new directions Gu Liming might steer the company.
Rough Patch for Perfect World
The company has faced a turbulent period, marked by significant layoffs and declining revenue from its current game lineup. Notably, *One Punch Man: World*, which was expected to be a major hit, underperformed during its international beta testing. Since April, there have been no updates on the App Store or Google Play, leaving fans in the dark about its progress.
Financially, Perfect World is bracing for a rough first half of 2024, projecting a net loss between 160-200 million yuan, a stark contrast to the 379 million yuan profit reported the previous year. The gaming division is expected to bear the brunt of this, with a projected net loss of 140-180 million yuan. Additionally, the company has drastically reduced its middle office team from 150 to just a few dozen employees.
Despite these challenges, there are glimmers of hope. *Tower of Fantasy*, developed by Hotta Studio, is gearing up for its Version 4.2 update scheduled for August 6, 2024. This update could inject some much-needed excitement and potentially provide a financial boost.
Looking ahead, Perfect World's newly announced game, *Neverness to Everness*, has already stirred significant interest. Although it won't launch until 2025 at the earliest, it has amassed nearly three million pre-registrations worldwide within just a week. This urban-themed open-world RPG could be a key factor in turning the company's fortunes around.
The coming months will be crucial for Perfect World as the new management focuses on strategic initiatives, streamlining operations, and hopefully, reversing the financial downturn. Only time will tell if Gu Liming and his team can successfully navigate these challenging waters.
For those interested in more gaming updates, don't miss out on our coverage of *Wang Yue, The Open World ARPG*, as it steps out of the shadows and nears its testing phase.
