Nexon

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Nexon Co., Ltd.
Native name
  • 株式会社ネクソン  (Japanese)
  • 주식회사 넥슨  (Korean)
TypePublic KK
TYO: 3659
IndustryVideo games
FoundedDecember 26, 1994; 26 years ago (1994-12-26)
Seoul, South Korea
Founders
Headquarters
Key people
Owen Mahoney (CEO)[1]
Shiro Uemura (CFO)[2]
Ji Won Park (COO)
Revenue¥253.7billion (2018)[3]
¥98.3billion (2018)[3]
¥107.7billion (2018)[3]
OwnerNXC
Number of employees
6,441 (Dec. 2018)
Subsidiaries§ Organization
Websitecompany.nexon.com

The Nexon Co., Ltd. (Japanese: 株式会社ネクソン, Hepburn: Kabushiki gaisha Nekuson, Korean주식회사 넥슨; RRJusikhoesa Nekseun) is a South Korean–Japanese video game publisher that specializes in online games for PC and mobile. It maintains over 80 titles.[4] Nexon was founded in Seoul, South Korea in 1994 by Kim Jung-ju and Jake Song. In 2005, the company moved its headquarters to Tokyo, Japan. As of March 2020, it is the largest game company in South Korea and the third-largest game company in Asia outside Japan in terms of revenue and market capitalization, after Tencent and NetEase in China, ahead of Netmarble, 37 Entertainment, and NCSoft.[5]

History[]

Nexon Group was established in Seoul, South Korea on December 26, 1994, and is currently based in Japan. It also has offices located in South Korea, the United States, Taiwan and Thailand.[4] Nexon developed and published its first title, Nexus: The Kingdom of the Winds, in 1996, which the company continues to service.[6] Many title releases followed such as Dark Ages: Online Roleplaying, Elemental Saga, QuizQuiz, KartRider, Elancia, and Shattered Galaxy;[7] some of which are maintained by a company spun off of Nexon, Kru Interactive.[8] In 2003, Wizet developed MapleStory in Korea, which later became one of their most successful titles and has been serviced for more than a decade.[9][10] The game was localized in many locations such as Japan, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, North America, Europe, Brazil, and Vietnam.[11] Nexon is also the developer of Dungeon & Fighter, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Neople.[12][13] Dungeon & Fighter is one of the most popular free-to-play online PC games in China.[13][14]

In April 2013, the programmer "DrUnKeN ChEeTaH" was sued by Nexon America for operating GameAnarchy, a popular subscription based cheat provider for Combat Arms. Nexon was awarded $1.4M in damages.[15]

Nexon went public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on December 14, 2011, in an initial public offering, the largest in Japan for 2011 and the second largest by a technological company for 2011 worldwide.[16]

On March 9, 2016, Nexon acquired Big Huge Games, a mobile game developer in Maryland.[17]

On January 3, 2019, the Korea Economic Daily reported Nexon founder Kim Jung-ju and associates have put their 98.64-percent stake up for sale.[18] However on July 8, 2019, Reuters reported the plan was abandoned.[19]

On November 25, 2019, The Lego Group announced the acquisition of Bricklink, the world's largest Lego fan community from Nexon, for an unknown price, which is expected to finish before the end of 2019.[20]

On June 2, 2020, Nexon announced plans to invest $1.5 billion in listed entertainment companies.[21] By March 2021, Nexon had deployed $874 million of that amount on investments into Hasbro, Bandai Namco Holdings, Konami, and Sega Sammy Holdings. Nexon stated that they have no interest in outright acquiring or taking activist investor positions in these companies, Japanese video game publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment and Nexon Korea signed a 10-year strategic alliance for the South Korean versions of Blue Archive and Closers.[22]

Organization[]

Nexon maintains various offices around the world that engage in the publishing and/or development of Nexon's games. Each region's local consolidated subsidiaries are independently managed and are responsible for developing their own strategy for their products and services.[23] The subsidiary that publishes a game does not necessarily indicate the region(s) that a game is available in. For example, some of Nexon Korea's games are published directly by Nexon Korea yet are available worldwide with no separate service published under the local consolidated company's portfolio.

Nexon Group Companies
Region Company name[24]
Japan NEXON Co., Ltd.
Korea NEXON Korea Corporation; NEOPLE INC.; Nexon Networks Corporation; NEXON GT Co., Ltd.; NEXON COMMUNICATIONS Co., Ltd.; Nexon Space Co., Ltd.; Thingsoft Inc.; N Media Platform Co., LTD.; JoongAng Pangyo Development Co., Ltd; Ngine Studios; NAT GAMES Co., Ltd.; TDF Co., Ltd.
China Lexian Software Development (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
North America Nexon America Inc.; Nexon US Holding Inc.; Big Huge Games, Inc.; Pixelberry Studios
Other NEXON TAIWAN LIMITED; Nexon Thailand Co., Ltd.; Embark Studios AB; NEXON NETWORKS VINA COMPANY LIMITED

Games[]

List of PC games[]

Game Name Nexon Korea Nexon Japan Nexon America Nexon Thailand Nexon Taiwan Nexon SEA
ArcheAge
2013 (Korea)
Yes
(channeling with XLGames)
No
(already serviced by GameOn)
No
(already serviced by Trion Worlds)
No
(already serviced by XLGames)
No
(already serviced by XLGames, previously as Playwith Taiwan)
No
(already serviced by XLGames)
Asgard
2001 (Korea)
Yes Closed No No Closed
(previously serviced by GameCyber)
No
Closers
2015 (Korea)[25]
Yes
(in cooperation with Bandai Namco)
No
(already serviced by Naddic Japan, previously as HappyTuk Japan)
No
(already serviced by Naddic Games, previously as En Masse and Bandai Namco)
No
(already serviced by Naddic Games)
No
(already serviced by HappyTuk Taiwan)
No
Counter-Strike Online
2008 (Korea)
2014 (Counter-Strike Nexon: Studio in the West, previously as CSN: Zombies)
Yes Closed[26] Yes
(published by Nexon Korea, previously as Nexon Europe)
Yes
(available as CSN:Studio, but not published by Nexon Thailand, previously serviced by PlayFPS Thailand)
No
(already serviced by Beanfun)
Yes
(available as CSN:Studio, but not published by Nexon SEA, previously serviced by IAH Games and Megaxus)
Crazy Arcade BnB
Known in North America as PopTag
2001 (Korea)
Yes Closed Closed Closed
(previously serviced by Playpark Thailand)
No
(already serviced by Beanfun)
No
Crazyracing Kartrider
2004 (Korea)
Yes Closed Closed Closed
(previously serviced by GoodGames Thailand)
No
(already serviced by Beanfun)
No
Crazy Shooting Bubble Fighter
2008 (Korea)
Yes No No No Closed
(previously serviced by Beanfun)
No
Cyphers
2011 (Korea)
Yes No No No Closed
(previously serviced by Beanfun)
No
Dragon Nest
2010 (Korea)
Yes
(transferred to Actoz Soft; now channeling with pupugame)
No
(already serviced by Hange Japan)
Closed
(transferred to Eyedentity)
No
(already serviced by Playpark Thailand)
No
(already serviced by Beanfun,[27] previously as Gameflier[28].)
No
(already serviced by Eyedentity, previously as Cherry Credits)
Dungeon Fighter Online
Known in Asia as Dungeon & Fighter
2005 (Korea)
Yes Yes Closed
(now serviced by Neople)
No Closed
(previously serviced by Beanfun and Garena Taiwan)
No
Elancia
1999 (Korea)
Yes Closed No No No No
Elsword
2007 (Korea)
Yes Yes
(channeling with KOG Games)
No
(already serviced by KOG Games)
No
(already serviced by Playpark Thailand)
No
(already serviced by Beanfun)
No
FIFA Online 4
Also available on mobile
2018 (Korea)
Yes
(in cooperation with EA Sports)
No No No
(already serviced by Garena Thailand)
No No
Final Fantasy 14
2013 (Global)
Yes
(in cooperation with Square Enix; channeling with ActozSoft)
No
(already serviced by Square Enix)
No
(already serviced by Square Enix)
No
(already serviced by Square Enix)
No
(already serviced by Square Enix)
No
(already serviced by Square Enix)
FreeStyle 2
2014 (Korea)
Yes
(channeling with Smilegate)
No No
(already serviced by JoyCity)
No No No
KartRider: Drift
Also available on Xbox One
2020 (Global)
Closed Beta No Closed Beta Closed Beta
(published by Nexon Korea)
Closed Beta
(published by Nexon Korea)
Closed Beta
(published by Nexon Korea)
KurtzPel
2019 (North America)
Yes No No
(already serviced by KOG Games)
No No No
Legend of Darkness
Known in North America as Dark Ages
1999 (Korea)
Yes Closed No
(already serviced by Kru Interactive)
No No No
Mabinogi
2004 (Korea)
Yes Yes Yes No No
(already serviced by Beanfun)
No
MapleStory
2003 (Korea)
Yes Yes Yes Closed
(previously serviced by Playpark Thailand and Nexon Thailand[29])
No
(already serviced by Beanfun)
No
(already serviced by Playpark Singapore)
MapleStory 2
2015 (Korea)
Yes Closed Closed No No No
Moonlight Blade
2015 (China)
Yes No No No Yes No
Nexus: The Kingdom of the Winds
1996 (Korea)
Yes Closed No
(already serviced by Kru Interactive)
No No No
Project HP
2021 (Korea)[30]
Available in 2021 No No No No No
Sudden Attack
2004 (Korea)
Yes Closed[31] Closed
(previously serviced by GameHi Global and Nexon America)
Closed
(previously serviced by PlayFPS Thailand)
Closed
(previously serviced by Gamon and Beanfun)
Closed
(previously serviced by PlayFPS Singapore)
TalesRunner
2005 (Korea)
Yes
(channeling with Smilegate)[32]
Closed
(previously serviced by NEETS and RHAON Japan)
Closed
(previously serviced by gPotato and OGPlanet)
No
(already serviced by Playpark Thailand, previously as TOT)
No
(already serviced by FunTown)
Closed
(previously serviced by Winner Online Singapore)
Talesweaver
2003 (Korea)
Yes Yes No No Closed
(previously serviced by GameCyber)
No
Tree of Savior
2015 (Korea)
Yes Closed
(transferred to IMCGames)[33][34]
No
(already serviced by IMCGames)
Closed[35] No
(already serviced by Macrowell OMG)
No
(already serviced by IMCGames)
Vindictus
Known in Asia as Mabinogi: Heroes
2010 (Korea)
Yes Closed[36] Yes
(co-publishing with Nexon Korea)
Closed
(previously serviced by Garena Thailand)
Yes
(transferred from Garena Taiwan, previously serviced by Beanfun)
No

List of mobile games[]

Game Name Nexon Korea Nexon Japan Nexon America Big Huge Games Pixelberry Nexon Thailand Nexon Taiwan Nexon SEA
AxE (Alliance x Empire)
2017 (Korea)
Yes No Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
No No Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
No
Blue Archive
2021 (Japan)
Available in 2021[37]
(in cooperation with Bandai Namco and Yostar)
No
(already serviced by Yostar)
Available in 2021[38]
(published by Nexon Korea)
No No Available in 2021
(published by Nexon Korea)
Available in 2021
(published by Nexon Korea)
Available in 2021
(published by Nexon Korea)
Choices: Stories You Play
2016 (North America)
No No No No Yes No No No
Counter:Side
Also available on PC
2019 (Korea)
Yes
(in cooperation with Square Enix)
Available in 2021
(in cooperation with Square Enix)
No No No No
(already serviced by ZlonGame)
No
(already serviced by Game Beans)
No
(already serviced by ZlonGame)
Crazy Arcade BnB M
2018 (Korea)
Yes No No No No Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
No
Dark Avenger 3
Known globally as Darkness Rises
Known in Japan as Dark Avenger X
2018 (Korea)
Yes Closed[39] Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
No No Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
No
DomiNations
2015 (North America)
Transferred to and now published by Big Huge Games Transferred to and now published by Big Huge Games[40][41] Transferred to and now published by Big Huge Games Yes
(transferred from Nexon)
No No Transferred to and now published by Big Huge Games No
Dynasty Warriors: Unleashed
2017 (Global)
Closed[42] Yes
(in cooperation with Koei Tecmo)
Closed No No Closed Closed No
FIFA Mobile
2016 (Global)
2020 (Korea)
Yes Yes No
(already serviced by EA)
No No No No No
Godzilla Defense Force
2019 (Global)
Yes Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
No No Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
No
High School Story
2013 (North America)
No No No No Yes No No No
Hollywood U: Rising Stars
2014 (North America)
No No No No Yes No No No
KartRider Rush+
2020 (Global)
Yes No Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
No No Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
The Kingdom of the Winds: Yeon
2019 (Korea)
Yes No No No No No No No
KonoSuba: Fantastic Days
2020 (Japan)
Yes No
(already serviced by Sumzap)
Yes[43][44][45]
(published by Nexon Korea)
No No Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
No
(already serviced by WonderPlanet)
Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
MapleStory M
2017 (Korea)
Yes Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
No No Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
No
Re: Tree Of Savior
2020 (Global)[46]
No Available in 2021[47] No No No No No No
Runway Story
2019 (Korea)
Yes No Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
No No Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
No
Traha
2019 (Korea)
Yes Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
No No No No No No
V4
Also available on PC[48]
2019 (Korea)
Yes Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
Yes[49]
(published by Nexon Korea)
No No Yes[50]
(published by Nexon Korea)
Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)

Upcoming video games (in-house and through publishing agreements)[]

2021 and beyond[]

  • Dave the Diver (Mobile) [51]
  • Dungeon & Fighter 2D mobile (Mobile) [51]
  • Dynasty Warriors 9 Mobile (Mobile) [52]
  • Gwanggateo the Great (Mobile)[53]
  • Hero Sky (Mobile) developed by InnoSpark[54]
  • HEXIA (Mobile) [51]
  • Magia (Mobile) [51]
  • Mabinogi Mobile (Mobile) [51]
  • Project BBQ (PC) [55]
  • TALESWEAVER M (Mobile) [56]
  • 4 Towers (Mobile) [52]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Eric Johnson (February 12, 2014). "Nexon Names New CEO: Ex-EA Exec Owen Mahoney". Re/code.
  2. ^ Chris Shimamoto (May 15, 2014). "Nexon Surges as Online Game Maker Plans Share Buyback". Bloomberg News.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Consolidated Financial Results for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2016 [IFRS]" (PDF). Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Bruce Einhorn (August 21, 2014). "Nexon, Asia's 'Freemium' PC Game Pioneer, Gets More Mobile". Bloomberg Businessweek.
  5. ^ "Top 25 gaming companies". Newzoo.com. 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  6. ^ Bruce Einhorn. "What is Nexus?". Nexus Atlas. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  7. ^ "Nexon Holdings history". KoreanGameWatch.com. Archived from the original on October 5, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
  8. ^ "Kru Interactive Profile". Kru Interactive. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
  9. ^ John Gaudiosi (May 23, 2012). "Nexon Celebrates Seventh Anniversary Of MapleStory Game With Continued Success". Forbes.
  10. ^ "Nexon Holdings(NXC)". Korea Game Watch. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  11. ^ "Maplestory". Nexon Korea Corporation. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
  12. ^ Forbes Staff (April 24, 2013). "What Next for Kim Jung-Ju and Korean Online Gaming Company Nexon?". Forbes.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b Lulu Yilun Chen and Jungah Lee (May 28, 2014). "Tencent $1 Billion Game Shows Global Hunt for Mobile Hits". Bloomberg News.
  14. ^ Xu Lin (February 7, 2014). "Top 10 free online games with highest revenues". China.org.cn.
  15. ^ "Nexon America Inc et al v. Gameanarchy LLC et al".
  16. ^ Kyt Dotson (December 7, 2014). "Despite Setbacks Nexon Sets $1.2 billion IPO for Dec. 14". SiliconANGLE.
  17. ^ "Nexon acquires DomiNations developer Big Huge Games". VentureBeat. March 10, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  18. ^ "Nexon founder to sell controlling stake in gaming company's holding..." Reuters. January 3, 2019.
  19. ^ "Nexon founder scraps what could have been $16 billion gaming deal:..." Reuters. July 9, 2019.
  20. ^ "The Lego Group acquires bricklink, the world's largest online LEGO® fan community and marketplace to strengthen ties with adult fans". November 25, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  21. ^ Leung, Ruby. "Korean Gaming Giant Nexon To Spend $1.5 Billion On Global Entertainment Companies". Forbes. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  22. ^ "Nexon invests $874 million in Hasbro, Bandai Namco, Konami, and Sega Sammy". VentureBeat. March 28, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  23. ^ "Consolidated Financial Results for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2017" (PDF). NEXON Investor Relations. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  24. ^ "Consolidated Financial Results for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2020 [IFRS]" (PDF). NEXON Investor Relations. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  25. ^ "Korean Anime Action MOARPG Closers First Closed Beta Comes This August". 2P. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  26. ^ "「カウンターストライクオンライン」サービス終了のお知らせ | Nexon(ネクソン)".
  27. ^ "【新龍之谷】帳號轉移申請中!". Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  28. ^ "《新龍之谷online》官方網站". Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  29. ^ "MapleStory : ประกาศยุติการให้บริการ". Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  30. ^ "Project HP - Nexon announces Korean Alpha test for new PC PVP title @ MMO Culture". July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  31. ^ "【重要】『サドンアタック』サービス終了のお知らせ". Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  32. ^ "Tales Runner". NEXON. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  33. ^ "【重要】『Tree of Savior』サービス変更のお知らせ". Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  34. ^ "Tree of Savior – Nexon drops publishing duty of Japan server back to IMC Games @ MMO Culture". September 26, 2019. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  35. ^ "Tree of Savior [ประกาศ] ยุติการให้บริการ Tree of Savior ประเทศไทย". Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  36. ^ "「マビノギ英雄伝」サービス終了のお知らせ | Nexon(ネクソン)".
  37. ^ "Blue Archive - Nexon announces global publishing deal for popular anime mobile RPG @ MMO Culture". May 26, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  38. ^ "Blue Archive - Teaser trailer and site goes live ahead of global launch @ MMO Culture". August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  39. ^ "【重要】サービス終了のお知らせ". Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  40. ^ "ドミネーションズのサービス移管につきまして". Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  41. ^ "サービス移管に関するご案内-日程と詳細のご案内". Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  42. ^ "01/08(Wed) [Service Termination Notice]". Retrieved January 8, 2020.
  43. ^ "KonoSuba: Fantastic Days - Global publisher announced for anime mobile RPG @ MMO Culture". November 9, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  44. ^ "KonoSuba: Fantastic Days - Global pre-registration begins for Nexon's new mobile anime RPG @ MMO Culture". July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  45. ^ "KonoSuba: Fantastic Days - Nexon announces global launch date for anime mobile RPG @ MMO Culture". August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  46. ^ "Re: Tree of Savior - Nexon Thailand reveals new title for upcoming mobile MMORPG @ MMO Culture". February 6, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  47. ^ "Re: Tree of Savior - Mobile version of PC MMORPG begins beta in Japan this June @ MMO Culture". May 21, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  48. ^ "V4 – Nexon announces PC version of Unreal Engine 4 mobile MMORPG @ MMO Culture". November 25, 2019. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  49. ^ "V4 - Nexon announces cross-platform mobile MMORPG for worldwide audience @ MMO Culture". June 18, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  50. ^ "V4 - Nexon Thailand hints at global launch of Unreal Engine 4 MMORPG @ MMO Culture". February 6, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  51. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e [1]
  52. ^ Jump up to: a b "Q1 2019 Investor Presentation" (PDF). NEXON Investor Relations. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  53. ^ "Nexon Korea revealed upcoming games in G-Star 2014". YuushaExa.com. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  54. ^ 김미희 기자 risell@gamemeca.com (August 12, 2014). "넥슨 모바일 '히어로스카이' 구글 플레이 순위 고공행진 게임메카, 대한민국 1등 인터넷 게임신문". Imbc.gamemeca.com. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
  55. ^ QuintLyn. "Nexon Announces New Dungeon Fighter Online ARPG "Project BBQ"". MMOBomb. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  56. ^ "Q3 2018 Investor Presentation" (PDF). NEXON Investor Relations. Retrieved December 21, 2018.

External links[]

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