From Novice to Senior Citizen 😂
Ragnarok Online is not going away anytime soon. Gravity has reportedly secured a new long-term renewal for the Ragnarok Online intellectual property, extending its rights for another 30 years and potentially keeping the franchise under its control until 2056 or beyond, depending on how the agreement is counted.
The move gives Gravity a much longer runway for the Ragnarok universe, a franchise that has remained one of the company’s biggest and most recognizable properties for more than two decades. Ragnarok Online first began commercial service in Korea in 2002, and Gravity describes the Ragnarok IP as a global property with service across many countries and millions of users worldwide.
For longtime players, the renewal also puts RO’s age into a funny perspective. If you were around 16 to 26 years old when Ragnarok Online became popular in 2002, you would already be around 70 to 80 years old by 2056. That means the game many players discovered during their school days, computer shop era, and early Prontera tambay years could still be around when those same players are already in their senior adventurer era.
The renewal is also important for Gravity’s business direction. Ragnarok remains the company’s flagship IP, with multiple titles, spin-offs, mobile games, and regional releases continuing to use the brand. By extending the rights for decades, Gravity can continue developing new Ragnarok projects without the uncertainty of a near-term license expiry.
While some may see the company’s heavy reliance on Ragnarok as risky, the IP has proven to be one of the most durable names in MMORPG history. More than 20 years after launch, Ragnarok Online still carries nostalgia, brand recognition, and community value across markets like Korea, Southeast Asia, and the Philippines.
And who knows, if the rights are renewed again in 2056, RO could live on even longer from Prontera tambay days to the full backpain adventurer era.