Nexon achieved a record revenue of 1.42 trillion won in the first quarter of 2026, marking its highest quarterly performance to date. The company is now poised to become the first in the domestic gaming industry to surpass 5 trillion won in annual revenue. Nexon previously exceeded 4 trillion won in annual revenue in 2024, a first for a South Korean game company.
On May 14, Nexon reported first-quarter revenue of 1.42 trillion won, operating profit of 542.6 billion won, and net profit of 533.8 billion won. Revenue and operating profit increased by 34% and 40%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. Net profit surged by 118%, achieving record highs for a single quarter.
The success of Nexon’s flagship intellectual properties (IPs) like 'MapleStory' and the newly launched 'Arc Raiders' in October 2025 has expanded its growth into global markets, including North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. This marks a successful diversification of its revenue structure, which had previously been heavily reliant on East Asia, including South Korea and China.
With domestic revenue growth, Nexon’s overseas revenue now accounts for 62% of its total. Revenue from North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia saw increases of 310% and 111%, respectively, compared to the previous year, achieving record highs for a single quarter.
A Nexon representative stated, "In the first quarter, Nexon’s overseas revenue increased by more than half compared to the same period last year, despite a lack of growth momentum in the Chinese market."
The 'MapleStory' IP has expanded its reach through a platform diversification strategy, with overall revenue from the IP increasing by 42% year-on-year.
The mobile casual game 'MapleStory Growing' has attracted new users in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. The user-generated content platform 'MapleStory World' experienced a 79% growth in Taiwan, driven by updates for the Lunar New Year compared to the previous year.
The original PC version of 'MapleStory' saw an 8% increase in revenue in Western markets compared to the same period last year, indicating successful expansion in those regions.
'Arc Raiders,' launched in October 2025, sold an additional 4.6 million units in the first quarter, bringing its global cumulative sales to over 16 million within six months of release. The success of 'Arc Raiders' in Western markets led to Nexon’s PC and console revenue surpassing 1 trillion won for the first time in a single quarter.
In China, the PC game 'Dungeon & Fighter' also recorded double-digit growth year-on-year, benefiting from updates during the Lunar New Year in January.
As a result, expectations are growing that Nexon will become the first domestic game company to surpass 5 trillion won in annual revenue. Nexon previously achieved 4 trillion won in annual revenue in 2024, a first for a South Korean game company.
Nexon plans to strengthen the competitiveness of its 'FC' and 'Dungeon & Fighter' franchises. The company has extended its publishing contract with Tencent for 'Dungeon & Fighter' in China for another 10 years.
Additionally, Nexon aims to implement the IP expansion strategy validated by 'MapleStory' to revitalize the 'Dungeon & Fighter' franchise. The company is developing various titles, starting with the mobile idle game 'Dungeon & Fighter Growing,' followed by the 2D action RPG 'Dungeon & Fighter Classic,' the open-world action RPG 'Dungeon & Fighter: Arad,' and the 3D action RPG 'Project Overkill,' all targeting the global market.
Nexon is also focusing on strengthening its mid- to long-term growth drivers through new partnerships and the expansion of next-generation IPs.
In March, Nexon announced a publishing agreement with Blizzard Entertainment for the Korean service of the global blockbuster 'Overwatch' PC version, set to launch within the year.
'Vindictus: Defying Fate,' an action RPG based on the 'Mabinogi Heroes' IP, and the multiplayer open-world survival game 'Durango World' are among the various self-developed titles aimed at expanding its IP portfolio for the global market.
Jung Heon Lee, CEO of Nexon Japan, stated, "The global success of the 'MapleStory' franchise and 'Arc Raiders' contributed to our strong performance in the first quarter. We will secure mid- to long-term growth drivers through strategic partnerships and a robust lineup of new titles, while enhancing profitability and global competitiveness through the innovative initiatives presented in the CMB (Capital Market Briefing) 2026."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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