The Nexon Co., Ltd. (Korean: 주식회사 넥슨/Japanese: 株式会社ネクソン) is a Japanese (formerly a South Korean) video game publisher that specializes in online games for PC and mobile. It maintains over 80 titles.[6] 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 2022, it is the second largest game company in South Korea after Krafton, as well as the fourth-largest online game company in Asia in terms of revenue and market capitalization, after Tencent, NetEase and Krafton, ahead of Netmarble, 37 Entertainment, and NCSoft.[7]
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Native name | |
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Romanized name |
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Type | Public |
TYO: 3659 | |
Industry | Video games |
Founded | December 26, 1994 Seoul, South Korea |
Founders |
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Headquarters | Minato-ku, Tokyo[1], Japan |
Key people | Owen Mahoney (CEO)[2] Shiro Uemura (CFO)[3] |
Revenue | ¥253.7billion (2018)[4] |
¥98.3billion (2018)[4] | |
¥107.7billion (2018)[4] | |
Owner | NXC (46.7%)[5] |
Number of employees | 6,441 (Dec. 2018) |
Subsidiaries | § Organization |
Website | company |
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.[6] Nexon developed and published its first title, Nexus: The Kingdom of the Winds, in 1996, which the company continues to service.[8] Many title releases followed such as Dark Ages: Online Roleplaying, Elemental Saga, QuizQuiz, KartRider, Elancia, and Shattered Galaxy;[9] some of which are maintained by a company spun off of Nexon, Kru Interactive.[10] 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.[11][12] The game was localized in many locations such as Japan, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, North America, Europe, Brazil, and Vietnam.[13] Nexon is also the developer of Dungeon & Fighter, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Neople.[14][15] Dungeon & Fighter is one of the most popular free-to-play online PC games in China.[15][16]
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.[17]
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.[18]
On March 9, 2016, Nexon acquired Big Huge Games, a mobile game developer in Maryland.[19]
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.[20] However, on July 8, 2019, Reuters reported the plan was abandoned.[21]
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.[22]
On June 2, 2020, Nexon announced plans to invest $1.5 billion in listed entertainment companies.[23] 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.[24]
Nexon signed with Bandai Namco Holdings, Square Enix and Microsoft for a 10-year Japanese–South Korean video gaming partnership contract for media franchises through 2032, for example HoPals Echoes crossover project..[citation needed]
Nexon, which was known to be the largest video game company in South Korea, was overtaken by Krafton in July 2021.[25]
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.[26]
In February 2022, it was reported by Bloomberg that Saudi Arabian-based Public Investment Fund had purchased just over a 5% stake in Capcom and Nexon, reportedly worth $883 USD million, while American investment company KKR acquired an 8.5% stake.[27]
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.[28] 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.
Region | Company name[29] |
---|---|
Japan | NEXON Co., Ltd. |
Korea | NEXON Korea Corporation; NEOPLE INC.; Nexon Networks Corporation; Nexon Games; NEXON COMMUNICATIONS Co., Ltd.; Nexon Space Co., Ltd.; Thingsoft Inc.; N Media Platform Co., LTD.; JoongAng Pangyo Development Co., Ltd; Ngine Studios; 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 |
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 Kakao Games Europe, previously as Gamigo) |
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)[30] |
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[31] | 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) |
Closed (previously serviced by Playpark Thailand[32]) |
No (already serviced by Beanfun,[33] previously as Gameflier.[34]) |
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 XIV 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 and PS4 2020 (Global) |
Closed Beta | Closed Beta | 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[35]) |
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 D 2021 (Korea)[36] |
Available in 2022 | No | No | No | No | No |
Project HP 2021 (Korea)[37] |
Available in 2022 | No | No | No | No | No |
Sudden Attack 2004 (Korea) |
Yes | Closed[38] | 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)[39] |
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)[40][41] |
No (already serviced by IMCGames) |
Closed[42] | No (already serviced by Macrowell OMG) |
No (already serviced by IMCGames) |
Vindictus Known in Asia as Mabinogi: Heroes 2010 (Korea) |
Yes | Closed[43] | Yes (co-publishing with Nexon Korea) |
Closed (previously serviced by Garena Thailand) |
Yes (transferred from Garena Taiwan, previously serviced by Beanfun) |
No |
Game Name | Nexon Korea | Nexon Japan | Nexon America | Big Huge Games | Pixelberry | Nexon Thailand | Nexon Taiwan | Nexon SEA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AxE (Alliance x Empire) 2017 (Korea) |
Closing on June 30 | No | Closing on June 30 | No | No | Closing on June 30 | Closing on June 30 | No |
Blue Archive 2021 (Japan) |
Yes[44] (in cooperation with Bandai Namco and Yostar) |
No (already serviced by Yostar) |
Yes[45] (published by Nexon Korea) |
No | No | Yes (published by Nexon Korea) |
Yes (published by Nexon Korea) |
Yes (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) |
Yes (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) |
Closing on August 2 | No | No | No | No | Closing on August 2 | Closing on August 2 | No |
Dark Avenger 3 Known globally as Darkness Rises Known in Japan as Dark Avenger X 2018 (Korea) |
Yes | Closed[46] | 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[47][48] | 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 |
Dungeon & Fighter Mobile Also available on PC 2021 (Korea) |
Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Dynasty Warriors: Unleashed 2017 (Global) |
Closed[49] | 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 |
HIT2: Heroes of Incredible Tales Also available on PC 2022 (Korea) |
Available in 2022 | No | No | No | No | 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 Also available on PC 2019 (Korea) |
Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
KonoSuba: Fantastic Days 2020 (Japan) |
Yes | No (already serviced by Sumzap) |
Yes[50][51][52] (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 |
Runway Story 2019 (Korea) |
Closing on June 2 | No | Closing on June 2 | No | No | Closing on June 2 | Closing on June 2 | No |
Traha 2019 (Korea) |
Closed[53] | Yes (published by Nexon Korea) |
No | No | No | No | No | No |
V4 Also available on PC[54] 2019 (Korea) |
Yes | Yes (published by Nexon Korea) |
Yes[55] (published by Nexon Korea) |
No | No | Yes[56] (published by Nexon Korea) |
Yes (published by Nexon Korea) |
Yes (published by Nexon Korea) |