Nexon

{{Short description|South Korean-Japanese video game company}} {{about|the video game developer and publisher|the car|Tata Nexon}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2019}} {{Infobox company | name = Nexon Co., Ltd. | logo = Nexon.svg | logo_size = 220px | native_name = {{plainlist| * {{native name|ko|넥슨}} * {{native name|ja|ネクソン}}}} | type = [[Public company|Public]] | traded_as = {{TYO|3659}} | industry = [[Video game industry|Video games]] | founders = {{ubl|[[Kim Jung-ju]]}} | key_people = {{ubl| * Junghun Lee ([[President (corporate title)|president]] and [[CEO]])<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://pdf.irpocket.com/C3659/BbNL/FM7o/hhXF.pdf|title= Announcement regarding Succession of Representative Director and CEO|publisher=Nexon|date=November 9, 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20250730131544/https://pdf.irpocket.com/C3659/BbNL/FM7o/hhXF.pdf|archive-date= July 30, 2025}}</ref> * Shiro Uemura ([[CFO]])<ref>{{Cite news| url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-05-14/nexon-surges-as-online-game-maker-announces-share-buyback.html |title=Nexon Surges as Online Game Maker Plans Share Buyback|author=Chris Shimamoto |publisher=[[Bloomberg News]] |date = May 15, 2014}}</ref><ref name=ExecutiveTeam>{{Cite web| url=https://company.nexon.co.jp/en/introduction/directors.html |title=Executive Team |website=NEXON Corporate Profile |access-date=November 24, 2021}}</ref> }} | revenue = {{JPY|274.5 billion}} (2021)<ref name=10K/> | operating_income = {{JPY|91.5 billion}} (2021)<ref name=10K/> | net_income = {{JPY|114.9 billion}} (2021)<ref name=10K>{{cite web |url=https://pdf.irpocket.com/C3659/OMfg/a9hj/jxzC.pdf|title=Consolidated Financial Results for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2021 [IFRS] |access-date= September 6, 2022}}</ref> | owner = NXC (60.2%) | parent = NXC | num_employees = 7,067 (Dec. 2021)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pdf.irpocket.com/C3659/BUJq/rTps/RMch.pdf|title=Q2 2022 Investor Presentation |access-date= September 6, 2022}}</ref> | subsid = {{section link||Organization}} | foundation = {{Start date and age|1994|12|26}} [[Seoul]], South Korea | location = [[Minato-ku, Tokyo]], Japan<ref>{{cite web |title=Locations |url=https://company.nexon.co.jp/en/introduction/foreign.html |website=NEXON Corporate Profile |access-date=November 24, 2021}}</ref> | homepage = {{URL|https://nexon.com}} }}

'''Nexon Co., Ltd.''' (formerly {{Korean|hangul=넥슨}}) is a South Korean-Japanese video game developer and publisher specializing in [[live service game]]s. It develops and publishes titles including ''[[MapleStory]]'', ''[[Crazyracing Kartrider]]'', ''[[Sudden Attack]]'', ''[[Dungeon & Fighter]]'', ''[[The First Descendant]]'', and ''[[Blue Archive]]''. Headquartered in Japan, the company has offices in South Korea, the United States, Taiwan, and Thailand.<ref name="bbw1">{{Cite news |author=Einhorn |first=Bruce |date=August 21, 2014 |title=Nexon, Asia's 'Freemium' PC Game Pioneer, Gets More Mobile |url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-08-21/nexon-asias-freemium-pc-game-pioneer-gets-more-mobile |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822105006/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-08-21/nexon-asias-freemium-pc-game-pioneer-gets-more-mobile |archive-date=August 22, 2014 |publisher=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]}}</ref>

Nexon was founded in [[Seoul]], South Korea, in 1994 by [[Kim Jung-ju]]. In 2005, the company moved its headquarters to [[Tokyo]], Japan. However, its largest shareholder is an investment and holding company NXC, headquartered in [[Jeju Province]], South Korea.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Introduction |url=https://www.nxc.com/index/intro?country=EN |website=NXC Corporation}}</ref>

== History == [[File:Nexon_(1994-2009).svg|right|thumb|First logo (1994–2009)]] Nexon was established in [[Seoul]], South Korea, on December 26, 1994. It developed and published its first title, ''[[Nexus: The Kingdom of the Winds]]'', in 1996, which the company continues to service.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Einhorn |first=Bruce |title=What is Nexus? |url=http://www.nexusatlas.com/what.php |access-date=December 21, 2014 |publisher=Nexus Atlas}}</ref> Numerous other games followed, such as ''Dark Ages: Online Roleplaying'', ''Elemental Saga'', ''[[QuizQuiz (video game)|QuizQuiz]]'', ''[[KartRider]]'', ''Elancia'', and ''[[Shattered Galaxy]]'';<ref name="NXC">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425161216/http://www.koreagamewatch.com/wp/?page_id=1008 |archive-date=April 25, 2012 |url=http://www.koreagamewatch.com/wp/?page_id=1008 |title=Nexon Holdings history |publisher=KoreanGameWatch.com |access-date=October 5, 2011 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> some of which are maintained by a company spun off of Nexon, [[Kru Interactive]].<ref name="Kru">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303151652/http://www.kru.com/profile.html |archive-date=March 3, 2012 |url=http://www.kru.com/profile.html |title=Kru Interactive Profile |publisher=[[Kru Interactive]] |access-date=June 28, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Acquisition of Wizet === [[Image:Wizet Logo.png|thumb|126px|Wizet's logo]]

In April 2001, Wizet, a game development company, was established in [[Seoul]], South Korea.<ref name="wizet eng about us">{{cite web |title=About Us |url=http://www.wizet.com/eng_company.htm |website=Wizet.com |access-date=12 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020607053330/http://www.wizet.com/eng_company.htm |archive-date=June 7, 2002 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The company was initially led by Seung-chan Lee, who was previously a lead developer for Nexon's ''[[QuizQuiz]]''.<ref name="maple interview">{{cite web |title=MapleStory Interview |url=https://www.4gamer.net/specials/maplestory/maplestory.html |website=4Gamer.net |access-date=12 April 2025 |language=Japanese}}</ref> Wizet would develop and eventually release ''[[MapleStory]]'' for Korea in April 2003. Shortly after its release, the game reached a milestone of 100,000 concurrent users and 2 million registered users, according to the company's now-defunct website.<ref name="wizet jp history">{{cite web |title=History |url=http://www.wizet.com/japanese/about_wizet/history.html |website=Wizet.com |access-date=12 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041102162613/http://www.wizet.com/japanese/about_wizet/history.html |archive-date=November 2, 2004 |language=Japanese |url-status=dead }}</ref> Wizet would launch ''MapleStory'' in Japan later that year with similar claims of success. In 2004, Nexon acquired Wizet<ref name="wizet acq">{{cite web |title=Nexon acquires U.S. game developer Big Huge Game |url=https://www.donga.com/en/article/all/20160311/527432/1 |website=[[The Dong-A Ilbo]] |access-date=10 April 2025}}</ref> and since then has maintained active development and publishing of ''[[MapleStory]]''.<ref name="nexon ir">{{cite web |title=Popular Games In Service |url=https://www.nexon.co.jp/en/products/#popular-games-in-service |website=Nexon Investor Relations |access-date=12 April 2025}}</ref>

=== Acquisition of Neople === Nexon is also the developer of ''[[Dungeon Fighter Online|Dungeon & Fighter]]'', through its wholly owned subsidiary, Neople.<ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesasia/2013/04/24/what-next-for-korean-online-gaming-company-nexon/|title=What Next for Kim Jung-Ju and Korean Online Gaming Company Nexon?|author=Forbes Staff |work=[[Forbes]] |date =April 24, 2013}}</ref><ref name="bloom1">{{Cite news| url =https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-05-27/tencent-1-billion-game-shows-global-hunt-for-mobile-hits.html|title=Tencent $1 Billion Game Shows Global Hunt for Mobile Hits|author=Lulu Yilun Chen and Jungah Lee |publisher=[[Bloomberg News]] |date =May 28, 2014}}</ref> ''Dungeon & Fighter'' is one of the most popular free-to-play online PC games in China.<ref name="bloom1" /><ref>{{Cite news| url =http://www.china.org.cn/top10/2014-02/07/content_31286185_8.htm|title=Top 10 free online games with highest revenues|author= Xu Lin |publisher=China.org.cn. |date =February 7, 2014}}</ref>

=== 2010s === 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.<ref>{{Cite news| url =http://www.china.org.cn/top10/2014-02/07/content_31286185_8.htm|title=Despite Setbacks Nexon Sets $1.2 billion IPO for Dec. 14|author= Kyt Dotson |publisher=SiliconANGLE |date =December 7, 2014}}</ref> In April 2013, the programmer "DrUnKeN ChEeTaH" was sued by Nexon America for operating GameAnarchy, a popular subscription-based cheat provider for ''[[Combat Arms (video game)|Combat Arms]]''. Nexon was awarded $1.4 million in damages.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/california/cacdce/2:2012cv02083/526488/71/|title=Nexon America Inc et al v. Gameanarchy LLC et al}}</ref>

On March 9, 2016, Nexon acquired [[Big Huge Games]], a mobile game developer in [[Maryland]].<ref name="vb-acquired">{{cite web |date=March 10, 2016 |title=Nexon acquires DomiNations developer Big Huge Games |url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/03/09/nexon-acquires-dominations-developer-big-huge-games/ |access-date=March 11, 2016 |website=VentureBeat |archive-date=February 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223072225/https://venturebeat.com/2016/03/09/nexon-acquires-dominations-developer-big-huge-games/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In October 2018, a labor union was established at Nexon.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jung |first=Se-jin |date=2018-09-05 |title=Nexon sets up the first labor union among Korean game companies |url=https://www.koreaittimes.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=85706 |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=[[The Korea IT Times]] |language=ko}}</ref> On January 3, 2019, ''[[The Korea Economic Daily]]'' reported that Nexon founder Kim Jung-ju and associates had put their 98.64 percent stake up for sale.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nexon founder to sell controlling stake in gaming company's holding... |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nexon-sale/nexon-founder-to-sell-controlling-stake-in-gaming-companys-holding-firm-korea-economic-daily-idUSKCN1OX010 |website=Reuters |language=en |date=3 January 2019}}</ref> However, on July 8, 2019, Reuters reported that the plan was abandoned.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nexon founder scraps what could have been $16 billion gaming deal:... |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nexon-sale/nexon-founder-scraps-what-could-have-been-16-billion-gaming-deal-sources-idUSKCN1U30WU |website=Reuters |language=en |date=9 July 2019}}</ref> On November 25, 2019, [[The Lego Group]] announced the acquisition of [[Bricklink]], a Lego fan community from Nexon's parent company NXC,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nexon founder sells BrickLink to LEGO in streamlining move after botched gaming deal - Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea |url=https://pulsenews.co.kr/view.php?year=2019&no=994484 |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=pulsenews.co.kr |language=ko}}</ref> for an unknown price, which is expected to finish before the end of 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/news/2019/november/lego-bricklink/|title=The Lego Group acquires bricklink, the world's largest online LEGO fan community and marketplace to strengthen ties with adult fans|date=November 25, 2019|access-date=November 25, 2019}}</ref>

In 2019, the company announced plans to acquire [[Embark Studios]], a studio founded by [[Patrick Söderlund]], the former Chief Design Officer of [[Electronic Arts]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/nexon-to-acquire-swedish-game-developer-embark-studios|title=Nexon to acquire Swedish game developer Embark Studios|first=Alissa|last=McAloon|work=[[Game Developer (magazine)|Game Developer]]|date=August 5, 2019|accessdate=November 22, 2025}}</ref>

=== 2020s === On June 2, 2020, Nexon announced plans to invest $1.5 billion in listed entertainment companies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leung |first=Ruby |date=June 2, 2020 |title=Korean Gaming Giant Nexon To Spend $1.5 Billion On Global Entertainment Companies |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/rubyleung/2020/06/02/korean-gaming-giant-nexon-to-spend-15-billion-on-global-entertainment-companies/ |access-date=2020-06-06 |website=[[Forbes]] |language=en}}</ref> 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 it had no interest in outright acquiring or taking [[activist investor]] positions in these companies.<ref>{{Cite web|date=March 28, 2021|title=Nexon invests $874 million in Hasbro, Bandai Namco, Konami, and Sega Sammy|url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/03/28/nexon-invests-874-million-in-hasbro-bandai-namco-konami-and-sega-sammy|access-date=March 29, 2021|website=VentureBeat}}</ref>

In a 2021 earnings call, Nexon CEO Owen Mahoney declined to offer hard launch targets for highly anticipated games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Royce |first=Bree |date=August 13, 2021 |title=Nexon CEO blasts crunch and the 'charade of launch timing' |url=https://massivelyop.com/2021/08/13/nexon-ceo-blasts-crunch-and-the-charade-of-launch-timing/ |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=Massively Overpowered |language=en-US}}</ref> In February 2021, Nexon announced significant pay increases for new and existing development talent in the company's Korean studios.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-01 |title=Nexon offers all its employees a big pay rise |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2021/02/01/business/industry/nexon/20210201190907636.html |access-date=2022-09-30 |website=[[Korea JoongAng Daily]] |language=en}}</ref> In July 2021, Nexon announced the formation of Nexon Film and Television. The division is based in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hayes |first1=Dade |title=Asian Video Game Firm Nexon Launching LA-Based Film And TV Arm Guided By Disney And Activision Blizzard Vet Nick Van Dyk |url=https://deadline.com/2021/07/video-game-nexon-film-tv-disney-activision-blizzard-nick-van-dyk-1234793007/ |website=Deadline |date=15 July 2021}}</ref> In January 2022, [[Russo brothers]]-owned film production company [[AGBO]] sold a $400 million minority stake to Nexon, which is valued at $1.1 billion as Nexon takes a 38% stake.<ref>{{cite web |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=January 5, 2022 |title=Joe and Anthony Russo's AGBO Sells $400M Stake to Nexon |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/joe-and-anthony-russos-agbo-sells-400m-stake-to-nexon-1235070079/ |access-date=January 5, 2022 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> In February 2022, it was reported by [[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]] that Saudi Arabian-based [[Public Investment Fund]] had purchased just over a 5% stake in [[Capcom]] and Nexon, reportedly worth [[United States dollar|US$]]883 million, while American investment company [[Kohlberg Kravis Roberts|KKR]] acquired an 8.5% stake.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-02-03 |title=Saudi Wealth Fund Boosts Gaming Bets With Capcom, Nexon Stakes |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-03/saudi-wealth-fund-reveals-latest-video-game-bet-with-nexon-stake |access-date=2023-05-26}}</ref>

In May 2022, Nexon announced the launch of Mintrocket, a sub-brand and division of Nexon that specializes on games "focusing on the essence of fun".<ref>{{cite news |date=2022-04-05 |title=Nexon launches game sub-brand 'Mintrocket' on the 3rd|url=https://indiegame.com/en/archives/5675 |language=en |work=indiegame.com |access-date=2023-07-15}}</ref> Its first game, ''[[Dave the Diver]]'', was a commercial hit, selling one million copies within ten days of launch.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Koselke |first1=Anna |title=Dave the Diver does swimmingly on Steam, selling over a million copies |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/dave-the-diver/sales |website=PCGamesN |date=12 July 2023}}</ref> According to its own report, the Korean region earned the company the most in Q1–Q2 2022.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Nexon FY22 Q2 earnings presentation |url=https://pdf.irpocket.com/C3659/BUJq/rTps/RMch.pdf |access-date=Sep 20, 2022 |website=Nexon IR website}}</ref> In late 2023, Nexon announced that CEO Owen Mahoney will be succeeded by Nexon Korea CEO Junghun Lee in 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Seal |first=Dean |title=Nexon Taps Korea Unit's Chief to Succeed Departing CEO |url=https://www.wsj.com/business/earnings/nexon-taps-korea-units-chief-to-succeed-departing-ceo-d799e126 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-02-28 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Nexon announced the development of ''The Kingdom of the Winds 2'' on October 30, 2024, the sequel to its first-ever release 28 years ago.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2024-10-30/business/industry/Nexon-announces-development-of-longawaited-sequel-The-Kingdom-of-the-Winds-2/2167015 |title=Nexon announces development of long-awaited sequel, The Kingdom of the Winds 2 |date=2024|website=Korea JoongAng }}</ref> Nexon made Mintrocket a wholly owned subsidiary in September 2024.<ref name="dave"/>

In July 2024, Pixelberry Studios was acquired to Series Entertainment, for an undisclosed amount.<ref>{{cite web | title=Mobile dev Pixelberry acquired by Series Entertainment | url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/mobile-dev-pixelberry-acquired-by-series-entertainment }}</ref>

== Lawsuits == In 2018, the company was fined {{Currency|939 million|KRW|passthrough=yes}} (about {{Currency|717,000|USD|passthrough=yes|linked=no}}) for giving players false probability information surrounding [[microtransactions]] gambling for loot boxes in ''Sudden Attack''.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Park |first=Han-Shin |date=January 3, 2024 |editor-last=Kim |editor-first=Yeonhee |title=Nexon fined over MapleStory in-game item selling |url=https://www.kedglobal.com/korean-games/newsView/ked202401030012 |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=[[The Korea Economic Daily]] |language=en}}</ref> Nexon Korea stated that the phrase "random provision" was to suggest that the odds of obtaining each item were different, not that all of them have equal odds.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Prescott |first=Shaun |date=2018-04-10 |title=Nexon has been fined by the Korean Fair Trade Commission over loot boxes |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/nexon-has-been-fined-by-the-korean-fair-trade-commission-over-loot-boxes/ |access-date=2024-12-22 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref>

In early 2023, Nexon filed a [[cease and desist letter]] and a lawsuit against video game studio Ironmace, alleging that it stole files and ideas from Nexon's canceled project called "P3" and used them in its game called ''[[Dark and Darker]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-27 |title=Dark and Darker removed from Steam due to ongoing Ironmace/Nexon dispute |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/dark-and-darker-removed-from-steam-due-to-ongoing-ironmacenexon-dispute |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=Games Industry.biz |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="brown">{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Andy |date=2023-03-14 |title='Dark And Darker' developer's office searched by police over allegations of code theft |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/dark-and-darker-developers-office-searched-by-police-over-allegations-of-code-theft-3410189 |access-date=2023-04-15 |website=[[NME]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> Nine "P3" project members had left the company and joined Ironmace, which was started soon after the project's cancellation in 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Victoria |date=2023-03-27 |title=Dark and Darker developer uses ChatGPT AI tool in bid to prove it hasn't infringed copyright |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/dark-and-darker-developer-uses-chatgpt-ai-tool-in-bid-to-prove-it-hasnt-infringed-copyright-1 |access-date=2023-04-15 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref name="chalk">{{Cite news |last=Andy Chalk published |date=2023-03-08 |title=Dark and Darker studio raided by police following 'stolen' code allegations |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/dark-and-darker-studio-raided-by-police-following-stolen-code-allegations/ |access-date=2023-04-15 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref> According to Ironmace, it is one of these former Nexon employees (who is alleged to have leaked the assets) who is the sued party, and not the company itself.<ref name="brown" /> A police complaint filed by Nexon reportedly led to a police raid of Ironmace's offices in March 2023.<ref name="chalk" /> After the game was removed from [[Steam (service)|Steam]], Ironmace distributed it via [[BitTorrent]], made available on the game's [[Discord]] server. Nexon also filed a copyright infringement lawsuit in the United States on April 20, 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-04-17 |title=Dark and Darker developer sued by Nexon for "copyright infringement" |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/dark-and-darker-developer-sued-by-nexon-for-copyright-infringement |access-date=2023-04-29 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en-gb}}</ref> This lawsuit was dismissed on August 17, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Judgment by Court – #58 in Nexon Korea Corporation v. Ironmace Co Ltd (W.D. Wash., 2:23-cv-00576) – CourtListener.com |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67193019/58/nexon-korea-corporation-v-ironmace-co-ltd/ |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=CourtListener |language=en-us}}</ref> The game is subsequently once again available on Steam.<ref>{{Cite news |author1=Tyler Wilde |date=2024-06-07 |title=Dark and Darker is back on Steam |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/dark-and-darker-steam-return/ |access-date=2024-07-05 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref>

In 2021, a ''MapleStory'' user, Kim, sued Nexon for its failure to provide detailed probability information. The [[Fair Trade Commission (South Korea)|Korea Fair Trade Commission]] reported that Nexon, for a decade, has lowered the probability of players drawing certain character equipment when spending real cash on Cubes ("and setting the probability of winning some Cubes to zero") in ''MapleStory''.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Jae-eun |last2=Hwang |first2=Gyurak |date=2024-11-29 |title=Nexon to refund MapleStory player for withholding information on probabilistic items |url=https://www.chosun.com/english/industry-en/2024/11/29/Z6XOM7AR4REEHIYYIWC3L5MRTE/ |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=[[The Chosun Ilbo|The Chosun Daily]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> The [[Supreme Court of Korea|Supreme Court]] ended up ruling in favor of Kim; they ordered Nexon to give back five percent of the spent money to Kim.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hyeong-woo |first=Kan |date=2024-11-29 |title=Nexon partly loses MapleStory loot box lawsuit |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10011997 |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=[[The Korea Herald]] |language=en}}</ref> Nexon then accepted the Korea Consumer Agency's recommendation to compensate the damaged 800,000 users; the amount of compensated in-game cash equaled to about {{Currency|21.9 billion|KRW|passthrough=yes|linked=no}} ({{Currency|19.1 million|USD|passthrough=yes|linked=no}}).<ref name=":3" /> In 2024, the company was fined by the Korea Fair Trade Commission for a record-breaking {{Currency|11.6 billion|KRW|passthrough=yes|linked=no}} ({{Currency|8.9 million|USD|passthrough=yes|linked=no}}) fee for misleading players over microtransactions in ''MapleStory'', which violated South Korea's Act on Consumer Protection in Electronic Commerce.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Cryer |first=Hirun |date=January 4, 2024 |title=MMO dev fined record-breaking $9 million fee for misleading players over microtransactions |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/mmo-dev-fined-record-breaking-dollar9-million-fee-for-misleading-players-over-microtransactions/ |magazine=Games Radar}}</ref>

== 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 its own strategy for its products and services.<ref name="ir-12312018">{{cite web |title=Consolidated Financial Results for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2017 |url=http://pdf.irpocket.com/C3659/hHid/FU1k/qzLK.pdf |access-date=July 17, 2018 |website=NEXON Investor Relations |page=7}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" |+ Major Nexon group companies<ref name="finance-12312020">{{cite web |title=Consolidated Financial Results for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2022 [IFRS] |url=https://pdf.irpocket.com/C3659/NJLt/YJMu/GXAK.pdf |access-date=February 1, 2024 |website=NEXON Investor Relations}}</ref> ! Region !! Company name |- | Japan || Nexon Co., Ltd.; gloops, Inc. |- | Korea || Nexon Korea Corporation; Neople Inc.; Nexon Games Co., Ltd.; JoongAng Pangyo Development Co., Ltd.; Mirae Asset Global Innovation Growth Focus Equity Privately Placed Investment Trust; VIP Global Super Growth Hedge Fund |- | China || Lexian Software Development (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. |- | North America || Nexon America Inc.; [[Big Huge Games|Big Huge Games, Inc.]] |- | Other || Nexon Europe [[GmbH]]; gloops Vietnam Co., Ltd.; Nexon Taiwan Ltd.; Nexon Thailand Co., Ltd. |}

=== Studios === {| class="wikitable" |+ ! colspan="2" |Studios<ref>{{Cite web |title=Locations |url=https://company.nexon.co.jp/en/introduction/foreign.html |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=NEXON Corporate Profile |language=ja}}</ref> !Location !Founded/acquired<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://company.nexon.co.jp/en/introduction/history.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018051124/https://company.nexon.co.jp/en/introduction/history.html |archive-date=October 18, 2018 |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=Nexon Corporate Profile}}</ref> !Notes |- | colspan="2" |Nexon Korea | rowspan="5" |Seoul, Korea |December 1994 | |- | colspan="2" |Nitro Studios |2020 | rowspan="3" |previously Nexon Korea Internal Teams |- | colspan="2" |devCat |2020 |- | colspan="2" |Mintrocket<ref name="dave">{{Cite web |last=Blake|first=Vikki |date=2024-09-11 |title=Nexon establishes Dave the Diver developer Mintrocket as a new wholly owned subsidiary corporation |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/nexon-establishes-dave-the-diver-developer-mintrocket-as-a-new-wholly-owned-subsidiary-corporation |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref> |2024 |- | rowspan="5" |Nexon Games |Nexon Games Seoul |July 2010 |previously known as NAT Games |- |MX Studio | rowspan="2" | | | rowspan="2" |Was under NAT Games during its buyout and rebrand, develops Blue Archive and other Japanese-inspired "[[Otaku|subculture]]" games |- |RX Studio |2024 |- |IO Division | |2024 |Acts as an umbrella company to help other Nexon games that target "[[Otaku|subculture]]", as well as direct management support for both MX Studio and RX Studio's live service bishoujo games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NEXON GAMES Launches the IO Division for Subculture Game Development |url=https://www.gamevu.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=37868 |date=December 27, 2024|accessdate=November 22, 2025}}</ref> |- |Nexon Games Pangyo |Pangyo-dong, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Korea |June 2018 |previously Nexon GT |- | colspan="2" |Neople |Jeju City, Korea |August 2008 | |- | colspan="2" |[[Embark Studios]] |Stockholm, Sweden |July 2019 | |- | colspan="2" |[[Big Huge Games]] |[[Timonium, Maryland]], United States |March 2016 | |}

=== Free-to-play online virtual worlds === As of August 2022, Nexon Virtual Worlds' most valuable entertainment franchises are:<ref name=":1" /> {| class="wikitable" ! Franchise ! Launch date ! Registered players ! Lifetime revenue |- | ''[[Dungeon Fighter Online|Dungeon & Fighter]]'' | 2005 | <nowiki>+ 850 million</nowiki> | > $20 billion |- | ''[[MapleStory]]'' | 2003 | <nowiki>+ 180 million</nowiki> | > $3 billion |- | ''[[Crazyracing Kartrider|KartRider]]'' | 2004 | <nowiki>+ 380 million </nowiki> | > $1 billion |- | ''[[Sudden Attack]]'' | 2005 | <nowiki>+ 23 million</nowiki> | > $0.7 billion |- | ''[[Nexus: The Kingdom of the Winds]]'' | 1996 | <nowiki>+ 26 million</nowiki> | N/A |- | ''[[Mabinogi (video game)|Mabinogi]]'' | 2004 | <nowiki>+ 20 million</nowiki> | > $0.6 billion |}

=== Games for mobile and consoles === Nexon began as a developer and publisher of PC games. However, in 2020, the company announced plans to begin releasing both console and mobile versions of key franchises.

In 2017, Nexon previously published ''[[LawBreakers]]'' for PlayStation 4 from [[Boss Key Productions]]. In July 2020, the South Korean launch of ''The Kingdom of the Winds: Yeon'' for mobile was the top-grossing title on the [[App Store (Apple)|Apple App Store]] and #2 on [[Google Play]], 24 years after the launch of the initial ''[[The Kingdom of the Winds]]'' game in 1996. In August 2020, the release of ''Dungeon & Fighter Mobile'' in China generated more than 60 million pre-registrations before it was delayed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Seung-Woo |date=April 4, 2022 |title=Nexon's new game beats Lineage to top app stores list |url=https://www.kedglobal.com/korean-games/newsView/ked202204040003 |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=[[The Korea Economic Daily]] |language=en}}</ref>

Nexon operates in over 190 countries, but revenue and consumer engagement are concentrated in Asian markets. In 2021, the company announced a series of games in development for global release – with a focus on Europe and North America.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Nussey |first1=Sam |last2=Chmielewski |first2=Dawn |date=2022-06-13 |title=Japan game giant Nexon plots western expansion |url=https://www.euronews.com/next/2022/06/13/nexon-strategy |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=Euronews |language=en}}</ref> Mahoney stated that it hoped to launch big titles with a 'Western sensibility', such as the game ''[[ARC Raiders]]'' from [[Embark Studios]]. In March 2022, ''Dungeon & Fighter Mobile'' was released in South Korea, and later in China in May 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Eun-jin |date=2024-12-19 |title=Nexon's Dungeon Fighter Online Mobile Hits $1.06 Billion in China, Leading Global Game Exports |url=https://www.businesskorea.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=232199 |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=Businesskorea |language=ko}}</ref> It has announced that it will be publishing ''ARC Raiders'', ''The First Descendant'', ''Project AK'', and ''[[Crazyracing Kartrider#KartRider: Drift|KartRider: Drift]]'' for both [[PlayStation 4]] and [[Xbox]] in around 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Huxley |first1=Ben |last2=Saunders |first2=Toby |date=19 December 2024 |title=Video game release dates 2024 |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/technology/gaming/video-game-release-dates/ |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=2024-11-12 |title=ARC Raiders 'Gameplay Reveal' trailer |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2024/11/arc-raiders-gameplay-reveal-trailer |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Games ==

{| class="wikitable sortable" ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Developer ! scope="col" | Publisher ! scope="col" | Notes |- | 1996 | ''[[Nexus: The Kingdom of the Winds]]'' | rowspan="5" | Nexon Korea | rowspan="5" | Nexon | |- | rowspan="2" | 1999 | ''Elancia'' | |- | ''[[Dark Ages (1999 video game)|Dark Ages]]'' | |- | rowspan="2" | 2001 | ''Asgard'' | |- | ''[[Crazy Arcade]]'' | |- | rowspan="2" | 2003 | ''[[MapleStory]]'' | [[Wizet]] | Nexon (KR, JP, NA, EU) Asiasoft/Playpark (SEA) Gamania (Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau) Shengqu Games (China) |EU and NA services were merged in 2016 to operate under Nexon America. Known in China as "Adventure Island Online" |- | ''[[TalesWeaver]]'' | [[Softmax (game developer)|Softmax]] | rowspan="4" | Nexon | |- | rowspan="2" | 2004 | ''[[Crazyracing Kartrider]]'' | Nexon Korea | Also known in short as ''KartRider'' Servers closed in March 2023 as Nexon Korea has shifted its focus to ''[[Crazyracing Kartrider#KartRider: Drift|KartRider: Drift]]'' |- | ''[[Mabinogi (video game)|Mabinogi]]'' | devCAT | |- | rowspan="2" | 2005 | ''[[Sudden Attack]]'' | Nexon GT (now Nexon Games) | |- | ''[[Dungeon Fighter Online]]'' | Neople | Nexon (KR and JP) Neople (Global) | |- | 2007 | ''[[Elsword]]'' | [[KOG Studios]] | rowspan="9" | Nexon | Publishing for Korea only (KOG to handle the Global server) |- | rowspan="2" | 2008 | ''[[Counter-Strike Online]]'' | Nexon [[Valve Corporation|Valve]] | |- | ''[[Combat Arms]]'' | rowspan="2" | Nexon | Server closed in November 2017; while the Global server was carried by VALOFE in both ''Reloaded'' and ''Classic'' version |- | 2009 | ''Crazy Shooting Bubble Fighter'' | |- | rowspan="2" | 2010 | ''[[Vindictus]]'' | devCAT | Also known in Asia as ''Mabinogi Heroes''; prequel to ''[[Mabinogi (video game)|Mabinogi]]'', the original game |- | ''[[Dragon Nest]]'' | [[Eyedentity Games]] | Nexon to share the publishing rights in Korea (ENP Games handles the KR server, while Eyedentity Games handles the rest of Global, ex. Chinese territories) |- | 2011 | ''Cyphers'' | Neople | |- | 2012 | ''[[FIFA Online 3]]'' | [[Electronic Arts]] | Publishing for Korea only |- | rowspan="3" | 2013 | ''[[ArcheAge]]'' | XL Games | Nexon to share the publishing rights in Korea (XL Games was later brought by [[Kakao Games]]) |- | ''[[Final Fantasy XIV]]'' | [[Square Enix Business Division 5]] | [[Square Enix]] | Nexon to share the publishing rights in Korea (Actoz Soft now handles the KR server) |- | ''[[Counter-Strike Online 2]]'' | Nexon [[Valve Corporation|Valve]] | rowspan="24" | Nexon | Servers closed in April 2018 |- | rowspan="3" | 2014 | ''FreeStyle 2'' | JOYCITY | Publishing for Korea only |- | ''[[Closers (video game)|Closers]]'' | Naddic Games | Publishing for Korea only (Naddic Games to handle the Global server) |- | ''Monster Squad'' | Nexon GT Timecast | Mobile game Servers closed in December 2016 |- | rowspan="2" | 2015 | ''[[DomiNations]]'' | Nexon [[Big Huge Games]] | Mobile game Publishing rights was handed over to Big Huge Games in 2020 |- | ''[[MapleStory 2]]'' | NSquare | Both the Japanese and Global servers closed in early 2020, with Korea as the only server available |- | rowspan="4" | 2016 | ''[[Tree of Savior]]'' | IMC Games | Publishing for Korea only (IMC Games to handle the Global server) |- | ''[[Sudden Attack 2]]'' | Nexon GT | Korean server closed shortly after launch following the controversy |- | ''[[Titanfall Online]]'' | Nexon (licensed from [[Electronic Arts]]) | The game was never fully released |- | ''[[Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – First Assault Online]]'' | Neople | Server closed first in Japan on November 29, 2017; with the Global server closing a few days later (December 6, 2017) |- | rowspan="4" | 2017 | ''[[Dynasty Warriors]]: Unleashed'' | [[XPEC Entertainment]] (licensed from [[Koei Tecmo]]) | Mobile game Server closed in March 2020 |- | ''Dark Avenger 3'' | Boolean Games | Mobile game |- | ''[[LawBreakers]]'' | [[Boss Key Productions]] | Released as the debut title from [[Cliff Bleszinski]]'s new studio. Servers closed in late 2018 with Nexon currently retaining the IP rights. |- | ''AxE (Alliance vs Empire)'' | Nexon RED | Mobile game Server closed in June 2022 |- | rowspan="4" | 2018 |''Darkness Rises'' |Nexon |Mobile game launched in June 2018;<ref>{{cite web|date=20 June 2018|title=Darkness Rises - Nexon launches new mobile action RPG worldwide|url=https://mmoculture.com/2018/06/darkness-rises-nexon-launches-new-mobile-action-rpg-worldwide/|website=MMO Culture|access-date=13 April 2024}}</ref> server closed on November 30, 2022 |- | ''Durango: Wild Lands'' | Nexon What! Studio | Mobile game Server closed on October 16, 2019 |- | ''[[FIFA Online 4]]'' | [[Electronic Arts|EA Spearhead]] | Publishing for Korea only |- | ''[[MapleStory#MapleStory M|MapleStory M]]'' | Nexon | |- | rowspan="3" | 2019 | ''[[KurtzPel]]'' | [[KOG Studios]] | Publishing for Korea only (KOG to handle the Global server) |- | ''Godzilla Defense Force'' | Neople Studio 42 | rowspan="2" | Mobile game |- | ''[[Crazy Arcade#Mobile Crazy Arcade(M)|Crazy Arcade BnB M]]'' | rowspan="2" | Nexon |- | rowspan="4" | 2020 | [[Crazyracing Kartrider|''KartRider Rush+'']] | Mobile game |- | ''V4'' | NAT Games (now Nexon Games) | Cross-platform (PC and Mobile) Server closed on March 20, 2024 |- | ''The Kingdom of the Winds: Yeon'' | Nexon Korea | Mobile game Currently available in Korea |- | ''[[EA Sports FC Mobile|FIFA Mobile]]'' | [[EA Mobile]] | Nexon (JP and KR) | Mobile game |- | rowspan="2" | 2021 | ''[[Blue Archive]]'' | IO Division; MX Studio (under NAT Games, rebranded to Nexon Games) | Nexon (Global, ex. JP and CN) [[Yostar]] (CN & JP only) | Real Time Strategy mobile game PC client launched Summer 2025

MX Studio was not placed under IO Division until the brand was formed in 2024 |- | ''[[KonoSuba|KonoSuba: Fantastic Days]]'' | Sumzap | Nexon (Global, ex. JP) | Mobile game Publishing rights was handed over to Sesisoft from June 1, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|author=Schpasm|title=KonoSuba Fantastic Days Global Server is Changing Publishers|url=https://news.qoo-app.com/en/post/163120/konosuba-fantastic-days-server-change|website=QooApp|date=April 18, 2023|access-date=April 18, 2023}}</ref> |- | rowspan="5" | 2022 | ''[[Dungeon & Fighter#Dungeon & Fighter Mobile|Dungeon & Fighter Mobile]]'' | Neople | rowspan="6" | Nexon | Mobile game Currently available in Korea |- | ''[[DNF Duel]]'' | [[Arc System Works]] [[Eighting]] Neople | Also available on [[PlayStation 4]] and [[PlayStation 5]] Nominated for [[The Game Awards 2022]] Best Fighting Game |- | ''Argent Twilight: Secrets Of The Dark Orbs''<ref>{{cite web|last=Howard|first=Jessica|title=MapleStory Publisher Offers A Closer Look At Turn-Based Hero Game Argent Twilight|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/maplestory-publisher-offers-a-closer-look-turn-based-hero-game-argent-twilight/1100-6507175/|website=[[GameSpot]]|date=September 8, 2022|access-date=September 15, 2022}}</ref> | | Mobile game Currently available in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Canada |- | ''[[TalesWeaver]]: Second Run''<ref>{{cite web|last=Derrick|first=Connor|title=Tales Weaver: Second Run, a reimagining of the 18 year old MMO, opens up pre-registration for Japanese audiences|url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/tales-weaver-second-run/pre-register/|website=[[Pocket Gamer]]|date=September 14, 2022|access-date=September 15, 2022}}</ref> | | Mobile game Currently available in Japan |- | ''MapleStory Worlds'' | Nexon Korea | Cross-platform (PC and Mobile) Only available in Korea |- | rowspan="8" | 2023 | ''[[Crazyracing Kartrider#KartRider: Drift|KartRider: Drift]]'' | Nitro Studios | Cross-platform ([[PlayStation 4]], [[Xbox One]], PC, and Mobile) |- | ''[[Dave the Diver]]'' | Mintrocket | Mintrocket | For PC and [[MacOS]]; also available on [[Nintendo Switch]]/[[Nintendo Switch 2]], [[PlayStation 4]]/[[PlayStation 5]] and [[Xbox One]]/[[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]] |- | ''Warhaven''<ref>{{cite web|author=Cinderboy|title=Warhaven – Nexon reveals Global Beta Test schedule for new medieval fantasy 16 vs 16 title|url=https://mmoculture.com/2022/09/warhaven-nexon-reveals-global-beta-test-schedule-for-new-medieval-fantasy-16-vs-16-title/|website=MMO Culture|date=September 14, 2022|access-date=September 15, 2022}}</ref> | Nexon Korea | Nexon | Server closing in April 2024<ref>{{Cite news |author1=Andy Chalk |date=2024-01-25 |title=Just four months after launching into early access, Nexon's 'full contact sword action' game Warhaven is shutting down |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/just-four-months-after-launching-into-early-access-nexons-full-contact-sword-action-game-warhaven-is-shutting-down/ |access-date=2024-03-12 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref> |- | ''[[EA Sports FC Mobile]]'' | [[EA Mobile]] | Nexon (JP and KR) | Mobile game; FIFA Mobile successor |- | ''[[EA Sports FC Online]]'' | [[Electronic Arts#Development studios|EA Spearhead]] | Nexon | Publishing for Korea only; FIFA Online 4 successor. |- | ''[[The Finals]]'' | [[Embark Studios]] | Embark Studios | Cross-platform ([[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X|S]], and [[PC game|PC]]) |- | ''Dynasty Warriors M'' | Neobards Entertainment (licensed from [[Koei Tecmo]]) | Nexon | Mobile game |- | ''Veiled Experts'' | Nexon | Nexon | Early access release in May. Servers shut down in December.<ref>{{Cite web|publisher=Steam|title=Veiled Experts|date=May 18, 2023|url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1934780/VEILED_EXPERTS/}}</ref> |- | 2024 | ''[[The First Descendant]]'' | rowspan="1" | Nexon Games | Nexon | Cross-platform ([[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Xbox One]], [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X|S]], and [[PC game|PC]]) |- | rowspan="2" | 2025 | ''[[The First Berserker: Khazan]]'' | Neople | Nexon | Multi-platform Single-Player ARPG ([[PlayStation 5]], [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X]], and [[PC game|PC]]) |- | ''[[ARC Raiders]]'' | [[Embark Studios]] | Embark Studios | Cross-platform ([[PlayStation 5]], [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X|S]], and [[PC game|PC]]) |- | rowspan="9" {{TBA}} | ''Nakwon: Last Paradise'' | rowspan="2" | Mintrocket | rowspan="2" | Mintrocket | |- | ''Wakerunners'' | |- | ''Mabinogi Mobile'' | devCAT | rowspan="4" | Nexon | |- | ''OVERKILL'' | Neople | |- | ''MapleStory N'' | rowspan="3" | Nexon Korea | PC version of ''MapleStory'' that uses [[Blockchain game|blockchain]] technology |- | ''Vindictus: Defying Fate'' | |- |''Project DX'' |Nexon KR |Based on ''Durango: Wild Lands'' |- |''Project RX'' |IO Division; RX Studio (MX Studio sister branch) |Nexon (expected) |"Subculture" game in the same style as ''Blue Archive'', but in a different creative universe. Inspired more by [[Isekai]] fantasy stories as opposed to ''Blue Archive's'' military science-fantasy. Aims to retain a similar [[Slice of life|Slice-of-Life]] atmosphere as ''Blue Archive''. |- |[[Azur Promilia]] |[[Azur Lane|Shanghai Manjuu]] |Nexon KR |Chinese open world gacha RPG game being published by Nexon for the Korean region in place of the developer themselves. Feeds into "subculture" otaku appeal. Expected to be self published in other non-Asian regions without Nexon involvement. |}

== See also == * [[Nexon Computer Museum]]

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{Official website|https://www.nexon.com}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nexon}} [[Category:Nexon| ]] [[Category:2011 initial public offerings]] [[Category:Chaebol]] [[Category:Companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange]] [[Category:Companies in the Nikkei 225]] [[Category:Japanese companies established in 1994]] [[Category:KKR & Co. companies]] [[Category:Mass media companies based in Tokyo]] [[Category:Multinational companies headquartered in Japan]] [[Category:Multinational companies headquartered in South Korea]] [[Category:Public Investment Fund]] [[Category:Publishing companies established in 1994]] [[Category:Software companies based in Tokyo]] [[Category:South Korean companies established in 1994]] [[Category:Video game companies established in 1994]] [[Category:Video game companies of South Korea]] [[Category:Video game development companies]] [[Category:Video game publishers]]