Nexon posted its highest-ever quarterly earnings, buoyed by the global success of its flagship "MapleStory" franchise and "Arc Raiders."
Nexon said Friday that first-quarter consolidated revenue reached 1.42 trillion won (152.2 billion yen), with operating profit of 542.6 billion won (58.2 billion yen). Revenue rose 34% and operating profit climbed 40% from a year earlier. Net profit jumped 118% to 533.8 billion won. Revenue, operating profit and net profit all set quarterly records.
The strong results reflect the broader overseas success of its flagship titles. Nexon's revenue in North America and Europe surged 310% year-on-year, while sales in other regions including Southeast Asia jumped 111%, bringing the overseas share of total revenue to 62%.
Revenue from the MapleStory franchise rose 42% year-on-year. "MapleStory Idle," launched globally last year, outperformed company forecasts in North America, Europe and Southeast Asia, while "MapleStory Worlds" saw sales soar 79% from a year earlier on the back of a Lunar New Year update in Taiwan. Overseas revenue from the PC version of "MapleStory" rose 8% year-on-year, driven by the winter update.
"Arc Raiders," released last October, sold an additional 4.6 million copies in the first quarter, bringing cumulative global sales past 16 million copies within six months of launch. Driven by the game's popularity in Western markets, Nexon's PC and console revenue topped 1 trillion won in a single quarter for the first time. The title cemented its status as a next-generation blockbuster IP, winning five awards at global game ceremonies, including the Multiplayer category at the UK's BAFTA Games Awards.
Nexon plans to strengthen next-generation new IPs to expand its mid- to long-term growth base. The company said Friday it had signed a long-term publishing agreement with EA for the "FC" franchise in South Korea and extended its publishing deal with Tencent for the PC version of "Dungeon & Fighter" in China by 10 years. To expand the Dungeon & Fighter IP, Nexon is also developing various titles including "Dungeon & Fighter Classic," "Dungeon & Fighter: Arad" and "Project Overkill." "Mabinogi Mobile," launched in South Korea last year, is slated to begin service in Taiwan and Japan in the second half of this year.
"The global success of the MapleStory franchise and Arc Raiders drove outstanding first-quarter results," said Lee Jung-heon, CEO of Nexon's Japan unit. "We will secure mid- to long-term growth drivers through stronger strategic partnerships and a robust new title lineup, while enhancing profitability and global competitiveness through innovation initiatives."
