Nexon's Strategic Overhaul, The Rise of Idle RPGs, and Netmarble's Upcoming MMORPG Release

Nexon's Strategic Overhaul: Game Directors Replaced

In May, Nexon undertook a significant restructuring by replacing several key game directors to diversify its game genres and platforms. This move aligns with the leadership of Yoo Jung-hyun, the wife of Nexon's late founder Kim Jung-ju, who now chairs the board at NXC, Nexon's holding company.

Nexon Games' MX Studio recently replaced the development team of the collectible RPG "Blue Archive," including the game, scenario, and art directors. Since its launch in 2021, "Blue Archive" has been a significant success, generating $500 million in revenue within three years.

On May 27, Nexon Korea's subsidiary Neople appointed Yoon Myung-jin as the new director of the action RPG "Dungeon & Fighter," while the former director, Lee Won-man, moved to oversee new projects. Similarly, directors for Nexon's MMORPG "MapleStory" and racing game "KartRider: Drift" were replaced in the second half of last year.

Additionally, Hwang Jae-ho, who developed the management and exploration game "Dave the Diver," now leads game production under Nexon Korea's Mintrocket brand. Industry insiders suggest these changes reflect a broader consensus within Nexon that adaptation and innovation are crucial for survival.

NXC recently announced the appointment of Yoo Jung-hyun as the new chair of its board, a decision aimed at enhancing the board's accountability and effectiveness. Lee Jae-kyo, the previous chair, will continue to oversee NXC's overall management.

The Rise of Idle RPGs: A New Era in Mobile Gaming

Idle RPGs have emerged as a popular genre in mobile gaming, attracting attention from major game developers who traditionally focused on MMORPGs. According to app market analysis platform IGAWorks, revenue from the idle RPG genre in South Korea's app market rose by 82.5% year-on-year to 67.7 billion won in January.

This surge was driven by the top 10 newly released games, which collectively generated an average daily revenue of 140 million won on Google Play. Idle RPGs are designed to minimize player interaction, allowing characters to progress and gather resources automatically based on pre-set strategies. This genre's appeal lies in its simplicity and the continuous growth of characters with minimal player involvement.