As Nexon breaks its all-time high performance records, the company is expanding its external reach with a 'three-pronged' strategy: expanding investments, building an AI-based creative ecosystem, and strengthening platform partnerships.

■ Record-Breaking Q1 Performance... Driven by Global Hit Titles Nexon achieved its highest quarterly performance ever in the first quarter of this year, recording an operating profit of 58.2 billion yen (approx. 542.6 billion KRW), a 40% increase year-over-year. Revenue reached 152.2 billion yen (approx. 1.42 trillion KRW, up 34%), and net income totaled 57.2 billion yen (approx. 533.8 billion KRW, a 118% surge). Overseas revenue also hit a quarterly high, jumping 59% compared to the previous year.

The MapleStory franchise led the way. Globally launched 'MapleStory Universe' exceeded expectations across all regions, including North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia, while 'MapleStory Worlds' grew by 79% due to the effects of an update during the Lunar New Year holidays. Global MapleStory also saw an 8% growth in Western markets. 'Arc Raiders', released last October, sold an additional 4.6 million copies in Q1 alone, surpassing 16 million cumulative sales. Consequently, revenue from North America and Europe more than quadrupled, while revenue from other regions like Southeast Asia more than doubled.

Nexon signed a long-term publishing contract with EA for the FC franchise in Korea and extended its publishing agreement with Tencent for the PC version of 'Dungeon & Fighter' in China for another 10 years. In the second half of the year, the company is preparing to launch 'Mabinogi Mobile' in Taiwan and Japan, as well as 'Dungeon & Fighter Growing'. It also plans to sequentially release new publishing titles such as 'Azur Promilia' and 'Project T', alongside self-developed titles including 'Dungeon & Fighter Classic', 'Last Paradise', 'Durango World', and 'Wooshi: The Wayfinder'.

Lee Jung-heon, CEO of Nexon's Japan subsidiary, stated, "By strengthening strategic partnerships and expanding our new game lineup, we will secure mid-to-long-term growth drivers and enhance profitability and global competitiveness through the innovative initiatives presented at our capital market briefing."

■ Establishment of 'Nexon Partners', a Dedicated Investment Entity On May 29, Nexon established 'Nexon Partners', a wholly-owned subsidiary, to bolster investments in game startups. The goal is to revitalize early-stage investments in the domestic game industry. Lee Jung-heon, CEO of Nexon Japan, was appointed as the CEO of the new entity. Kim Han-jun, Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of Nexon Korea, and former Tencent Vice President Piao Yanli (Kelis Park) joined as inside directors.

CIO Kim Han-jun built his career at Deutsche Bank and Macquarie before serving as the Executive Director of Investments at NCSoft in 2021, eventually joining Nexon Korea in 2024. Director Piao Yanli brings experience in successfully launching Nexon's 'Dungeon & Fighter' and Smilegate's 'CrossFire' in China, having also served as the CEO of Tencent Korea. Piao also worked as an outside director for Kakao and a non-standing executive director for Netmarble, and currently holds a director position at the intermediate holding company Nexon HQ, established early this year.

A Nexon official explained, "We are planning to invest in companies capable of discovering and nurturing promising IPs. The new inside directors will participate in screening and decision-making processes regarding investment targets."

■ Expansion of AI-Based Creative Ecosystem Nexon is actively utilizing AI as a creative tool. The 'MapleStory Global Development Contest', announced on May 28, is open to anyone aged 14 and older via 'MapleStory Worlds'. Participants are tasked with developing and submitting a new world that combines the eight core fun elements of MapleStory (growth, exploration, hunting, combat, collection, cooperation, challenge, and competition). The submission period runs from June 4 to October 7.

Evaluations will be based on IP interpretation and expansion, degree of completion, and sustainability, with 30 works advancing to the finals. Teams advancing to the finals will receive up to approximately 50 million KRW each, while the final seven winning teams will be provided up to an additional 40 million KRW. Nexon will operate educational materials for core systems by genre and a Q&A desk with experts, while supporting the development of new worlds through vibe coding via the MSW AI toolkit within the platform.

The blockchain platform 'MapleStory Universe' is also accelerating its AI expansion. Unveiled on May 15, MSU 2.0 combines AI-based creative tools with a blockchain settlement system to create an environment that connects IP holders, creators, and users. Creators can develop new content based on 'MapleStory N' gameplay data through AI vibe coding, and IP licensing, revenue settlement, and payments have been integrated into a single blockchain structure. Nexpace plans to sequentially link various other IPs besides MapleStory to build an AI-based multiverse.

Since its official launch in May of last year, MapleStory Universe has recorded 150 million cumulative on-chain transactions and 3.82 million registered accounts. Following the winter update late last year, the core game 'MapleStory N' attracted 130,000 new users. It has also reached a stage where the consumption of the NESO token, linked to the cryptocurrency NXPC, exceeds the reward distribution volume, securing the stability of its economic system.

Hwang Sun-young, CEO of Nexpace (the blockchain game and platform operator established by Nexon in Abu Dhabi, UAE, in 2024), stated, "Over the past year, MapleStory Universe has developed into an infrastructure where creation, trading, and participation organically interact." They added, "Our goal is to expand the realm of IP into a playground of infinite possibilities, where anyone can co-create, share, and grow together through MSU 2.0."

■ Full-Scale Platform Collaboration with Naver and SOOP The partnership between Nexon and Naver is picking up speed. Starting May 18, Nexon users were enabled to log in with their Naver accounts and make payments via Naver Pay. Based on the linked data, Naver will also enhance customized content recommendations featuring users' preferred Nexon IPs on platforms like Chzzk and Clip. The two companies signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in September of last year.

Naver's streaming platform Chzzk is promoting the 'N Connect Project' to encourage the production of broadcasting content utilizing Nexon IPs. It offers benefits for broadcasting activities and viewer participation through a three-tier reward system: Activity, Growth, and Impact. A content support center is also operated to assist in the production of Nexon game-related content.

As of May 13, the N Connect preseason achieved a cumulative 80,000 account links. When the preseason launched on SOOP on the 27th of last month, 42,974 users completed the link on the first day, surpassing 70,000 by the fifth day. Based on the first week of May, the viewership for Nexon game streams on SOOP increased by 65% compared to the previous week, and the share of Nexon games within the game category grew 2.6 times. Out of approximately 6,600 N Connect subscribers, about 1,000 are active streamers, with popular streamers such as Dochiwappuku, Pang-i-yo, Segeulja, Yu Bong-hun, and Annyeong Suya ranking at the top.

Chae Jung-won, Head of Nexon's Media Connected Division, stated, "Starting with the Chzzk preseason open in May, we will continue to build a greater experience co-created by creators, users, and Nexon, based on the data accumulated across both platforms." Nexon plans to operate the preseason for about five months until September, offering various in-game benefits and programs.

■ 'Arc Raiders': Global Box Office Success and Award Sweep Developed by Embark Studios, 'Arc Raiders' is achieving simultaneous commercial success and critical acclaim. On April 20, it won the Multiplayer category at the BAFTA Games Awards, hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. It was recognized for its multiplayer and community experience spanning online, offline, and social spheres. With this, it added its fifth trophy from global award ceremonies, following The Game Awards (TGA), Steam Awards, DICE Awards, and NAVGTR Awards. Within about three months of its launch, it surpassed 14 million global sales and 960,000 concurrent users.

Alexander Grundeland, General Producer, expressed his thoughts, saying, "It is an honor to receive an award from a prestigious organization that recognizes games as a form of art and respects their value."

Nexon began the free open beta test for 'Arc Raiders' at PC cafes on May 21. Official free service has been provided since the 28th, supporting cross-play within a global one-build environment. Various new content has also been added, including a new merchant, 'Ermal' (who exchanges high-value components for rewards), and a new weapon, 'Rascal'.

■ Ironmace Ordered to Pay 5.7 Billion KRW in Damages for Trade Secret Infringement Meanwhile, on April 30, the second division of the Supreme Court (Presiding Justice Park Young-jae) upheld the lower court's ruling in the appeal trial of the lawsuit filed by Nexon Korea against Ironmace and its CEO Choi Ju-hyun to ban trade secret and copyright infringement. Ironmace must pay 5.76464 billion KRW in damages.

The Supreme Court did not recognize the copyright infringement claims. In the first trial, the court ruled that Ironmace had infringed on trade secrets by leaking components of Nexon's unreleased 'Project P3' and ordered 8.5 billion KRW in damages. However, regarding copyright infringement, the court found that 'Dark and Darker' lacked substantial similarity to the Nexon P3 game developed up to June 2021. In the second trial, the damages were reduced to 5.76 billion KRW, reflecting the scale of the damages, and the copyright infringement claims were again dismissed. Both parties appealed to the Supreme Court, but their appeals were dismissed.

Nexon filed the lawsuit in 2021, claiming that Choi Ju-hyun, the former head of the P3 development team under the New Development Headquarters, leaked source code and data to a personal server and subsequently founded Ironmace to develop 'Dark and Darker' using those assets.