[Edaily Reporter An Yu-ri ] Devsisters corporation(194480), which implemented voluntary retirement programs and executive pay cuts in the first half of the year, returned to profitability in the third quarter. This turnaround was driven by the new game "Cookie Run: Crumble," which helped boost sales amid the company’s rigorous emergency management measures.

The Devsisters corporation announced in a preliminary filing on the 10th that it recorded consolidated revenue of 81.2 billion won, operating profit of 7.2 billion won, and net income of 3.7 billion won for the third quarter of this year. Revenue increased by 47.9% compared to the same period last year and by 54.1% compared to the previous quarter. Operating profit turned positive after posting a loss of 700 million won in the third quarter of last year and a loss of 16 billion won in the second quarter of this year. The operating profit margin for the third quarter was approximately 8.9%.

This rebound is significant as it marks a recovery from the company’s sluggish performance in the first half of the year. The Devsisters corporation posted an operating loss of 17.4 billion won in the first quarter due to the lackluster performance of the 5th-anniversary update for “Cookie Run: Kingdom” and the fact that “Cookie Run: Oven Smash,” released last March, failed to meet expectations. As the deficit continued into the second quarter at 16.0 billion won, concerns over the company’s profitability intensified.

In May, the company launched a company-wide management overhaul. It suspended hiring for non-essential positions and implemented a voluntary retirement program, while CEO Jo Gil-hyun and Co-Chairmen of the Board Lee Ji-hoon and Kim Jong-heun agreed to forgo compensation until management stabilizes. Compensation for key executives was also cut in half, and a dedicated cost management team was established. The company shifted its strategy to reevaluate investment levels in businesses with uncertain prospects and concentrate resources on its core games.

In the third quarter, revenue recovery coincided with changes in the expenditure structure. The new idle game “Cookie Run: Crumble” surpassed 20 billion won in cumulative revenue before reaching its one-month anniversary. “Cookie Run Classic” also contributed to revenue by expanding its user base in the Thai market. These two games drove revenue growth and helped reverse the downward revenue trend seen in the first half of the year.

Changes were also evident on the cost side. While advertising expenses and commission fees increased in tandem with the launch of new titles, the company explained that it reduced branding expenditures and eliminated one-time personnel costs associated with organizational restructuring. Reduced fixed costs resulting from workforce optimization were also reflected in the profit and loss statement. In essence, the return to profitability was supported not only by the success of new titles but also by adjustments to the cost structure.

The Devsisters corporation plans to focus on updating existing games and expanding the *Cookie Run* intellectual property (IP) business in the fourth quarter. “Cookie Run: Kingdom” plans to add new competitive content following its collaboration with a global animation studio, while “Cookie Run: Ovenbreak” aims to capitalize on the momentum of its 10th-anniversary celebrations. The company will expand its IP business into offline spaces through card games, character merchandise sales, and a winter event collaboration with Lotte World in Seoul and Busan.

“Cookie Run: Tower of Adventure,” which secured a Chinese publishing license this past August, is accelerating preparations for its entry into the Chinese market. Since the 29th of last month, “Cookie Run: Tower of Adventure” has been conducting its second closed beta test (CBT) in China with approximately 30,000 local testers.