'V4' Success Helps Nexon’s Earnings Hold Up... This Year’s Bet on 'Dungeon & Fighter Mobile' (Summary)

Steady Seller IP Growth Including MapleStory and FIFA 4
Mobile Game Revenue in Korea Surges Thanks to V4

[Asia Economy Reporter Jin-gyu Lee] Nexon recorded sales of 2.684 trillion KRW last year, showing performance similar to the previous year. Among the 3N (Nexon, Netmarble, NCSoft), it was the first to surpass 1 trillion KRW in annual operating profit, demonstrating its strength as the senior player in the domestic gaming industry. In the first half of this year, it aims for a second heyday by launching 'Dungeon & Fighter Mobile (tentative title)' in China.

◆ Operating Profit Surpasses 1 Trillion KRW = On the 13th, Nexon announced that its operating profit last year was 1.0208 trillion KRW (945.25 billion JPY), a 4% decrease from the previous year. Surpassing 1 trillion KRW in operating profit is the first among the 3N including Nexon. Nexon's sales last year were 2.684 trillion KRW (248.542 billion JPY), down 2% from the previous year. However, due to the strong yen, the performance in KRW terms showed an upward trend. When converted using a 'constant exchange rate' applying the same rate as the previous year, the figures show 4% and 3% growth respectively in yen terms. Last year's Q4 sales were 531.8 billion KRW (49.2 billion JPY), a 7% increase compared to the same period last year, and operating profit for the same period was 48.8 billion KRW (4.5 billion JPY), up 16%.

◆ MapleStory and FIFA Online 4 Perform Well in Korea = Nexon stated that its major steady seller intellectual properties (IPs) such as 'MapleStory' and 'FIFA Online 4' continued to show remarkable growth in Korea, driving this performance. MapleStory, which celebrated its 16th anniversary last year, introduced strategic content such as large-scale summer and winter updates, new stories, and world expansion. Through this, it achieved its highest annual performance in the Korean region and maintained double-digit growth for six consecutive years. The mobile version, 'MapleStory M,' also recorded double-digit growth for three consecutive years in Korea through live game operations including a 3rd anniversary event and the addition of new characters.

FIFA Online 4 also continued its success on both PC and mobile platforms. Both FIFA Online 4 and 'FIFA Online 4 M' enhanced user convenience and added content aligned with real football, achieving their highest annual performance in Korea.

◆ 'V4' as a Revenue Driver = The mobile MMORPG V4, launched in November last year as Nexon's new IP, has maintained a top position in mobile game revenue rankings and sustained long-term popularity since its release. V4 introduced a client-based mobile-linked PC beta version after launch, establishing itself as Nexon's new growth engine. V4 also led Nexon's mobile game revenue growth. Last year, annual mobile game revenue in Korea was 260.5 billion KRW, a 32% increase from the previous year. In particular, Q4 mobile game revenue in Korea recorded 93.2 billion KRW, a 168% increase compared to the same period last year.

◆ Dungeon & Fighter Mobile Launching in China in First Half = Nexon aims for a second heyday by launching Dungeon & Fighter Mobile, based on the flagship PC game 'Dungeon & Fighter' IP, in China in the first half of this year. It is also preparing for the global launch of 'KartRider: Drift.' Owen Mahoney, CEO of Nexon (Japan), said, "Nexon proved the soundness of its original IPs and excellent operational capabilities last year. This year, Nexon will focus on selection and concentration to put more effort into developing large-scale projects, and based on this, it plans to devote itself to securing new growth engines."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.