Nexon

Nexon Co., Ltd. (Korean: 넥슨; RR: Nekseun) is a KoreanJapanese 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 (김정주) and Jake Song. In 2005, the company moved its headquarters to Tokyo, Japan.

Nexon Co., Ltd.
Native name
넥슨
Public (K.K)
Traded asTYO: 3659
ISINJP3758190007 
IndustryVideo games
Founded1994
Seoul, South Korea
FoundersKim Jung Ju (김정주) and Jake Song
HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
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)
SubsidiariesNEXON Korea Corporation.
Nexon America Inc.
NEXON M Inc.
Nexon Thailand Co., Ltd.
NEXON TAIWAN LIMITED
NEXON GT Co., Ltd.
Nexon OC Studio
Nexon Space Co., Ltd.
NEXON RED Corp.
NEXON COMMUNICATIONS Co., Ltd.
Nexon Networks Corporation
Nexon US Holding Inc.
NEOPLE INC.
Lexian Software Development (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Rushmo America, Inc.
gloops, Inc.
Thingsoft Inc.
BOOLEAN GAMES.
Big Huge Games Inc.
N Media Platform Co., LTD.
Pixelberry Studios
JoongAng Pangyo Development Co., Ltd.
10Years Co., LTD.
NAT Games Co., Ltd.
PURERO, Inc
BLOCKCHAIN ENTERTAINMENT LAB Co., Ltd.
Ngine Studios
Embark Studios
Websitehttp://company.nexon.com/

History

Nexon Group was established in Korea on December 26, 1994, and is currently based in Japan. It also has offices located in 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.[5] Many title releases followed such as Dark Ages: Online Roleplaying, Elemental Saga, QuizQuiz, KartRider, Elancia, and Shattered Galaxy;[6] some of which are maintained by a company spun off of Nexon, Kru Interactive.[7] 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.[8][9] The game was localized in many locations such as Japan, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, North America, Europe, Brazil, and Vietnam.[10] Nexon is also the developer of Dungeon & Fighter, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Neople.[11][12] Dungeon & Fighter is one of the most popular free-to-play online PC games in China.[12][13]

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.[14]

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.[15]

On March 9, 2016, Nexon acquired Big Huge Games, a mobile game developer in Maryland.[16]

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.[17] However on July 8, 2019, Reuters reported the plan was abandoned.[18]

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.[19]

On June 2, 2020, Nexon announced plans to invest $1.5 billion in listed entertainment companies.[20]

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.[21] 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.

RegionNexon Group companies[22]
JapanNEXON Co., Ltd.; gloops, Inc.; PURERO, Inc
KoreaNEXON Korea Corporation; BLOCKCHAIN ENTERTAINMENT LAB Co., Ltd.; NEOPLE INC.; Nexon Networks Corporation; NEXON GT Co., Ltd.; NEXON COMMUNICATIONS Co., Ltd.; Nexon Space Co., Ltd.; Thingsoft Inc.; BOOLEAN GAMES; NEXON RED Corp.; N Media Platform Co., LTD.; JoongAng Pangyo Development Co., Ltd; Ngine Studios; NAT Games Co., Ltd.; 10Years Co., LTD.
ChinaLexian Software Development (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
North AmericaNexon America Inc.; NEXON M Inc.; Rushmo America, Inc.; Nexon US Holding Inc.; Big Huge Games, Inc; Pixelberry Studios; NEXON OC Studio
OtherNEXON Europe GmbH; NEXON TAIWAN LIMITED; Nexon Thailand Co., Ltd.; Embark Studios[23]

Games

List of PC games

Game NameNexon KoreaNexon JapanNexon AmericaBig Huge GamesNexon ThailandNexon TaiwanNexon SEA
Arcane Showdown
PC version of the mobile game
2020 (Global)
NoNoNoYes[24]NoNoNo
ArcheAge
2013 (Korea)
Yes
(channeling with XLGames)
No
(already serviced by GameOn)
No
(already serviced by Trion Worlds)
NoNo
(already serviced by XLGames)
No
(already serviced by Playwith Taiwan)
No
(already serviced by XLGames)
Asgard
2001 (Korea)
YesClosedNoNoNoNoNo
Closers
2015 (Korea)
Yes[25]No
(already serviced by HappyTuk Japan)
No
(already serviced by En Masse)
NoNo
(already serviced by Naddic Games)
No
(already serviced by HappyTuk Taiwan)
No
Counter-Strike Online
2008 (Korea)
Released 2014 in the western markets as Counter-Strike Nexon: Studio
(formerly CSN:Zombies)
YesClosed[26]Yes
(previously published by Nexon Europe, now by Nexon Korea)
NoNoNo
(already serviced by Beanfun)
No
Crazy Arcade BnB
Known in North America as PopTag
2001 (Korea)
YesClosedClosedNoNoNo
(already serviced by Beanfun)
No
Crazyracing Kartrider
2004 (Korea)
YesClosedClosedNoNoNo
(already serviced by Beanfun)
No
Crazy Shooting Bubble Fighter
2008 (Korea)
YesNoNoNoNoNo
(now closed under Beanfun)
No
Cyphers
2011 (Korea)
YesNoNoNoNoNoNo
Dragon Nest
2010 (Korea)
Yes
(transferred to Actoz Soft; now channeling with pupugame)
No
(already serviced by Hange Japan)
Closed
(transferred to Eyedentity)
NoNo
(already serviced by Playpark Thailand)
No
(previously serviced by Gameflier,[27] now already serviced by Beanfun[28])
No
(already serviced by Eyedentity)
Dungeon Fighter Online
Known in Asia as Dungeon & Fighter
2005 (Korea)
YesYesClosed
(now serviced by Neople)
NoNoNoNo
Elancia
1999 (Korea)
YesClosedNoNoNoNoNo
Elsword
2007 (Korea)
YesYes
(channeling with KOG Games)
No
(already serviced by KOG Games)
NoNo
(already serviced by Playpark Thailand)
No
(already serviced by Beanfun)
No
FIFA Online 4
2018 (Korea)
YesNoNoNoNo
(already serviced by Garena Thailand)
NoNo
Final Fantasy 14
2013 (Global)
Yes
(channeling with ActozSoft)
No
(already serviced by Square Enix)
No
(already serviced by Square Enix)
NoNo
(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)
NoNo
(already serviced by JoyCity)
NoNoNoNo
KartRider: Drift
Also available on Xbox One
2020 (Global)
Closed BetaNoClosed Beta
NoClosed Beta
(published by Nexon Korea)
Closed Beta
(published by Nexon Korea)
Closed Beta
(published by Nexon Korea)
KurtzPel
2019 (North America)
YesNoNo
(already serviced by KOG Games)
NoNoNoNo
Legend of Darkness
Known in North America as Dark Ages
1999 (Korea)
YesClosedNo
(already serviced by Kru Interactive)
NoNoNoNo
Lost Saga
2009 (Korea)
Closed
(transferred to Valofe)
NoNo
(now closed under Z8Games)
NoNo
(already serviced by Godlike Game)
No
(already serviced by Valofe)
No
Mabinogi
2004 (Korea)
YesYesYesNoNoNo
(already serviced by Beanfun)
No
MapleStory
2003 (Korea)
YesYesYesNoClosed[29]No
(already serviced by Beanfun)
No
(already serviced by Playpark SEA)
MapleStory 2
2015 (Korea)
YesClosedClosedNoNoNoNo
Moonlight Blade
2015 (China)
YesNoNoNoNoYesNo
Nexus: The Kingdom of the Winds
1996 (Korea)
YesClosedNo
(already serviced by Kru Interactive)
NoNoNoNo
Riders of Icarus
Known in Asia as Icarus Online
2014 (Korea)
Closed
(transferred to Valofe)
No
(already serviced by GameCom)
Closed
(transferred to Valofe)
NoNoNo
(already serviced by Valofe)
No
Romance of the Three Kingdoms: The Legend of CaoCao
PC version of the mobile game
2019 (Global)
NoNoClosed[30]NoClosedClosedClosed
Sudden Attack
2004 (Korea)
YesClosed[31]ClosedNoNoNoNo
TalesRunner
2005 (Korea)
Yes
(channeling with Smilegate)[32]
NoNo
(now closed under OGPlanet)
NoNo
(already serviced by Playpark Thailand)
NoNo
Talesweaver
2003 (Korea)
YesYesNoNoNoNoNo
TERA
2011 (Korea)
Yes
(transferred from Hangame)
No
(already serviced by GameOn)
No
(already serviced by En Masse)
NoNo
(previously serviced by Playwith Thailand, now already serviced by Gameforge)
No
(already serviced by HappyTuk Taiwan)
No
(previously serviced by Playwith SEA, now already serviced by Gameforge)
Tree of Savior
2015 (Korea)
YesClosed
(transferred to IMCGames)[33][34]
No
(already serviced by IMCGames)
NoClosed[35]No
(already serviced by Macrowell OMG)
No
(already serviced by IMCGames)
Vindictus
Known in Asia as Mabinogi: Heroes
2010 (Korea)
YesClosed[36]Yes
(co-publishing with Nexon Korea)
NoNo
(now closed under Garena Thailand)
Yes
(transferred from Garena Taiwan)
No
V4
PC version of the mobile game[37]
2019 (Korea)
YesNoComing 2020[38]
(published by Nexon Korea)
NoComing 2020[39]
(published by Nexon Korea)
Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
Coming 2020
(published by Nexon Korea)

List of mobile games

Game NameNexon KoreaNexon JapanNexon AmericaBig Huge GamesPixelberryNexon ThailandNexon TaiwanNexon SEA
Arcane Showdown
2020 (Global)
NoNoNoYesNoNoNoNo
AxE (Alliance x Empire)
2017 (Korea)
YesNoYes
(published by Nexon Korea)
NoNoYes
(published by Nexon Korea)
Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
No
Choices: Stories You Play
2016 (North America)
NoNoNoNoYesNoNoNo
Counterside
2019 (Korea)
YesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Crazy Arcade BnB M
2018 (Korea)
YesNoNoNoNoYes
(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)
YesClosed[40]Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
NoNoYes
(published by Nexon Korea)
Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
No
DomiNations
2015 (North America)
Transferred to and now published by Big Huge GamesTransferred to and now published by Big Huge Games[41][42]Transferred to and now published by Big Huge GamesYes
(transferred from Nexon)
NoNoTransferred to and now published by Big Huge GamesNo
Dynasty Warriors: Unleashed
2017 (Global)
Closed[43]YesClosedNoNoClosedClosedNo
FAITH
2018 (Japan)
NoClosed[44]NoNoNoNoNoNo
FIFA Mobile
2016 (Global)
2020 (Korea)
YesNo
(already serviced by EA)
No
(already serviced by EA)
NoNoNo
(already serviced by EA)
No
(already serviced by EA)
No
(already serviced by EA)
FIFA Online 4 M
2018 (Korea)
YesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Godzilla Defense Force
2019 (Global)
YesYes
(published by Nexon Korea)
Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
NoNoYes
(published by Nexon Korea)
Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
No
High School Story
2013 (North America)
NoNoNoNoYesNoNoNo
Hollywood U: Rising Stars
2014 (North America)
NoNoNoNoYesNoNoNo
KAISER
2018 (Korea)
YesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
KartRider Rush+
2020 (Global)
YesNoYes
(published by Nexon Korea)
NoNoYes
(published by Nexon Korea)
Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
No
The Kingdom of the Winds: Yeon
2019 (Korea)
YesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Lyn: The Lightbringer
2018 (Korea)
YesNoYes
(published by Nexon Korea)
NoNoYes
(published by Nexon Korea)
Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
No
MapleStory M
2017 (Korea)
YesYes
(published by Nexon Korea)
Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
NoNoYes
(published by Nexon Korea)
Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
No
OVERHIT
2018 (Korea)
YesYes
(published by Nexon Korea)
Closing on July 14NoNoClosing on July 14Closing on July 14No
PointBlank: Strike
Known in Korea as Special Soldiers
2017 (Korea)
Closing on July 10[45]NoNoNoNoClosedClosedNo
revisions next stage
2019 (Japan)
NoClosing on August 12[46][47]NoNoNoNoNoNo
Re: Tree Of Savior
2020 (Global)[48]
Coming 2020NoComing 2020
(published by Nexon Korea)
NoNoComing 2020
(published by Nexon Korea)
Coming 2020
(published by Nexon Korea)
No
Ring Toss & World Tour
2015 (Korea)
YesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Romance of the Three Kingdoms: The Legend of CaoCao
2015 (Global)
Closed[30]ClosedClosedNoNoClosedClosedNo
Runway Story
2019 (Korea)
YesNoYes
(published by Nexon Korea)
NoNoYes
(published by Nexon Korea)
Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
No
Spiritwish
2019 (Korea)
Closed[49]NoYes
(published by Nexon Korea)
NoNoYes
(published by Nexon Korea)
Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
No
Traha
2019 (Korea)
YesYes
(published by Nexon Korea)
NoNoNoNoNoNo
V4
2019 (Korea)
YesNoComing 2020[38]
(published by Nexon Korea)
NoNoComing 2020[39]
(published by Nexon Korea)
Yes
(published by Nexon Korea)
Coming 2020
(published by Nexon Korea)
World of Dragon Nest
2020 (Southeast Asia)[50]
NoNoNoNoNoYesNoYes
(published by Nexon Thailand)
Yulgang M
2018 (Korea)
Closed
(transferred to ActFive)[51]
NoNoNoNoNoNoNo

Game pipeline (in-house and through publishing agreements)

2020 and beyond

  • Dave the Diver (Mobile) [52]
  • Dungeon & Fighter 2D mobile (Mobile) [52]
  • Dynasty Warriors 9 Mobile (Mobile) [53]
  • FINAL FANTASY XI R (Mobile) [54]
  • Gwanggateo the Great (Mobile)[55]
  • Hero Sky (Mobile) developed by InnoSpark[56]
  • HEXIA (Mobile) [52]
  • Magia (Mobile) [52]
  • Mabinogi Mobile (Mobile) [52]
  • Project BBQ (PC) [57]
  • TALESWEAVER M (Mobile) [54]
  • 4 Towers (Mobile) [53]

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. "Consolidated Financial Results for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2016 [IFRS]" (PDF). Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  4. Bruce Einhorn (August 21, 2014). "Nexon, Asia's 'Freemium' PC Game Pioneer, Gets More Mobile". Bloomberg Businessweek.
  5. Bruce Einhorn. "What is Nexus?". Nexus Atlas. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  6. "Nexon Holdings history". KoreanGameWatch.com. Archived from the original on October 5, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
  7. "Kru Interactive Profile". Kru Interactive. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
  8. John Gaudiosi (May 23, 2012). "Nexon Celebrates Seventh Anniversary Of MapleStory Game With Continued Success". Forbes.
  9. "Nexon Holdings(NXC)". Korea Game Watch. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  10. "Maplestory". Nexon Korea Corporation. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
  11. Forbes Staff (April 24, 2013). "What Next for Kim Jung-Ju and Korean Online Gaming Company Nexon?". Forbes.
  12. Lulu Yilun Chen and Jungah Lee (May 28, 2014). "Tencent $1 Billion Game Shows Global Hunt for Mobile Hits". Bloomberg News.
  13. Xu Lin (February 7, 2014). "Top 10 free online games with highest revenues". China.org.cn.
  14. "Nexon America Inc et al v. Gameanarchy LLC et al".
  15. Kyt Dotson (December 7, 2014). "Despite Setbacks Nexon Sets $1.2 billion IPO for Dec. 14". SiliconANGLE.
  16. "Nexon acquires DomiNations developer Big Huge Games". VentureBeat. March 10, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  17. "Nexon founder to sell controlling stake in gaming company's holding..." Reuters. January 3, 2019.
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  19. "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.
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  21. "Consolidated Financial Results for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2017" (PDF). NEXON Investor Relations. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  22. "Consolidated Financial Results for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018 [IFRS]" (PDF). NEXON Investor Relations. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  23. Patrick Söderlund (July 2019). "Some news from Embark". Retrieved July 25, 2019.
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  27. "《新龍之谷online》官方網站". Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  28. "【新龍之谷】帳號轉移申請中!". Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  29. "MapleStory : ประกาศยุติการให้บริการ". Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  30. "[Notice] ROTK : The Legend of Cao Cao Service Termination Notice". Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  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". Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  35. "Tree of Savior [ประกาศ] ยุติการให้บริการ Tree of Savior ประเทศไทย". Retrieved October 21, 2019.
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  39. "V4 - Nexon Thailand hints at global launch of Unreal Engine 4 MMORPG @ MMO Culture". Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  40. "【重要】サービス終了のお知らせ". Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  41. "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.
  42. "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.
  43. "01/08(Wed) [Service Termination Notice]". Retrieved January 8, 2020.
  44. "【重要】サービス終了のお知らせ". Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  45. "스페셜솔져 서비스 종료 안내 : 네이버 카페". Retrieved June 11, 2020.
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  48. "Re: Tree of Savior - Nexon Thailand reveals new title for upcoming mobile MMORPG @ MMO Culture". Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  49. "Spiritwish - Nexon announces the closure of South Korean server @ MMO Culture". Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  50. "World of Dragon Nest – Southeast Asia server gets official launch date for mobile MMORPG @ MMO Culture". Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  51. "열혈강호M 서비스 종료 및 이관 사전 안내 : 네이버 카페". Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  52. "Q1 2019 Investor Presentation" (PDF). NEXON Investor Relations. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  53. "Q3 2018 Investor Presentation" (PDF). NEXON Investor Relations. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  54. "Nexon Korea revealed upcoming games in G-Star 2014". YuushaExa.com. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  55. 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.
  56. QuintLyn. MMOBomb https://www.mmobomb.com/news/nexon-announces-new-dungeon-fighter-online-arpg-project-bbq/. Retrieved July 25, 2019. Missing or empty |title= (help)
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