Source: Nexon

Nexon has achieved its highest-ever quarterly performance, fueled by the global expansion of its core IP and the success of new blockbuster titles.

Nexon (CEO Lee Jung-hun) announced its consolidated financial results for the first quarter of 2026 in a regulatory filing on the 14th. The results are attributed to the continued strength of the 'MapleStory' franchise combined with the growth of the new title 'ARC Raiders,' which led to a sharp rise in revenue across North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

The MapleStory franchise recorded a 42% growth rate compared to the same period last year. The idle game 'MapleStory Idle,' launched globally last year, and the user-generated content platform 'MapleStory Worlds' were key contributors. Notably, 'MapleStory Worlds' grew by 79% following updates during the Lunar New Year holiday in Taiwan, while the original 'MapleStory' in Western markets also saw 8% growth, further supporting global expansion.

ARC Raiders, released last October, has proven to be Nexon's next-generation growth engine. With 4.6 million additional units sold in the first quarter alone, the game surpassed 16 million in cumulative sales just six months after launch. It has been praised for achieving both critical and commercial success, winning five awards at global ceremonies, including the 'BAFTA Games Awards 2026' in the UK. Driven by this performance, Nexon's revenue in North America and Europe more than quadrupled year-over-year, and total overseas revenue surged by 59%, setting a new record.

Traditional powerhouses also bolstered the results. The 'FC' franchise maintained a steady performance through large-scale Lunar New Year events, and the PC version of 'Dungeon & Fighter' in China showed a clear recovery, recording double-digit growth following its Spring Festival update.

Nexon has also significantly strengthened its global partnerships to ensure stable service. Following a long-term contract renewal with EA for publishing the 'FC' franchise in Korea, the company extended its service agreement with Tencent for the PC version of 'Dungeon & Fighter' in China for another 10 years. Additionally, Nexon is accelerating platform diversification, including a partnership with Blizzard to bring the global hit 'Overwatch' to PC in Korea later this year.

The second-half lineup is also robust. The global launch of 'Mabinogi Mobile' and the Nexon Games-developed 'Dungeon & Fighter Idle' are on the horizon, alongside new publishing titles such as 'Azur Promilia' and 'Project T.' In the mid-to-long term, the company is focusing on developing new titles to enhance its proprietary IP, including 'Dungeon & Fighter Classic,' 'Nakwon: LAST PARADISE,' and 'Durango World.'

Lee Jung-hun, CEO of Nexon Japan, stated, "The global success of MapleStory and ARC Raiders served as the foundation for our outstanding performance this quarter. We will continue to secure mid-to-long-term growth engines through strategic partnerships and a solid lineup of new titles, further strengthening our global competitiveness."