On the 14th, Nexon CEO Lee Jung-hun sent an email to employees outlining a blueprint to overcome the management challenges expected in the second quarter of 2026.

CEO Lee highlighted Embark Studios' new title and long-standing IPs as the drivers of Q1 performance. "'ARC Raiders' has surpassed 16 million units in cumulative sales since its launch," he stated. "Over the past six months, total player time has exceeded 1.5 billion hours, and more than half of our active users have already played for over 100 hours."

He added, "I am encouraged by the fact that Nexon has become a company capable of creating and sustaining competitive global IPs while internalizing a studio management model that prioritizes autonomy."

Regarding the performance of the 'MapleStory' IP, he noted, "It set a new record with a 42% year-on-year revenue growth." This result stems from capitalizing on the recent idle game trend with the launch of 'MapleStory Idle' and building a user-generated content (UGC) ecosystem.

CEO Lee emphasized, "The way we responded quickly and responsibly to the initial errors in 'MapleStory Idle' should become the standard for how Nexon operates moving forward. Seeing users continue to play so actively made me realize the weight of the trust we have built over the decades."

Despite the strong Q1 results, he took a conservative stance on the second quarter, citing intensified competition in the Chinese mobile game market and shifting user preferences. "To be honest about the upcoming second quarter," Lee diagnosed, "it is highly likely to be the most difficult period of 2026."

He explained, "This is because the "Dungeon & Fighter" franchise is currently going through a complex period of change that cannot be resolved in the short term. However, I am confident in Neople's efforts to improve content update cycles across its Chinese mobile and PC services and strengthen its management coordination with Tencent."

Furthermore, to restructure long-term revenue models, he noted, "Growth engines to revitalize the franchise are in preparation, including the 'Dungeon & Fighter Idle' launch scheduled for this year, as well as 'Dungeon & Fighter Classic,' 'Dungeon & Fighter Arad,' and 'Project Overkill.'"

The second half of the year will see a combination of major new releases and large-scale updates. "The blueprint we have been drawing will begin to take shape in the second half," Lee announced. "'Mabinogi Mobile' will be released sequentially in Taiwan in the third quarter and in Japan in the fourth." He added, "We have a diverse schedule ahead, including the launch of 'Overwatch' in Korea and the 'Frozen Trail' major update for 'ARC Raiders.' Our goal is to revitalize our core user base and attract new players through a mix of free and premium content."

He also addressed management efficiency, a proactive measure to counter rising labor costs and development burdens across the gaming industry. "The company-wide innovation initiative I mentioned in March is now in full swing," Lee stated. "We are carefully deciding which projects to focus our capabilities on, and what to continue or discontinue; these results are already reflected in this quarter's performance."

In closing, CEO Lee encouraged his employees, saying, "Although we anticipate a difficult period, I will face it responsibly without hiding the challenges, and I will continue to deliberate on how to ensure Nexon remains a growing company."