NEXON held its 2026 Capital Markets Briefing (CMB) on the 31st, laying out a strategic blueprint for the company's transformation under new leadership. The company doubled down on 'principles' and 'efficiency' as the bedrock for sustainable growth. Chairman Patrick Söderlund took the stage to outline the firm's strategic and creative direction, followed by CEO Lee Jung-hun, who detailed the vision for live service operations and day-to-day management, while CFO Shiro Uemura addressed the company's commitment to shareholder value.

According to the presentation, NEXON has maintained robust performance, generating 475 billion yen in revenue for 2025 and marking eight consecutive years of over 100 billion yen in operating cash flow. Notably, MapleStory, now in its 22nd year of service, hit record-breaking performance, while ARC Raiders achieved the most successful global launch in the company’s history. Chairman Söderlund highlighted the massive value of 20-year-plus stalwarts like MapleStory and Dungeon & Fighter as NEXON’s core competitive advantage.

He also stressed that the company needs a structural overhaul to ensure sustainable growth, proposing a 'select and focus' strategy to concentrate resources on projects with the highest probability of success. Every part of the portfolio is undergoing a rigorous business viability review; the company plans to establish a faster, bolder decision-making structure and trim down costs to funnel resources into key areas.

Addressing the recent 'MapleStory Grow' incident, he defined it as a 'failure in operational management,' and added that they have swiftly implemented preventative measures, including the appointment of a Chief Risk Officer (CRO) and the introduction of a mandatory multi-layered reporting system. He explained that NEXON’s AI is a tool to maximize asset value by leveraging 30 years of accumulated experience—the 'context.' He further emphasized the need to cultivate a development culture focused on creativity, drawing inspiration from the success of Embark Studios.

CEO Lee Jung-hun reflected on the performance of major IP franchises since the last CMB. The MapleStory franchise saw a 43% revenue jump year-on-year, buoyed by the recovery of the Korean PC original, regional expansion via MapleStory Worlds, and mobile diversification through MapleStory Grow. Approximately 40% of this growth came from global markets.

The Dungeon & Fighter franchise also proved its resilience, with PC version revenue climbing 30% compared to the previous year. The domestic success of Mabinogi Mobile and the global impact of ARC Raiders were cited as proof of potential for new global IP growth. However, he admitted that some recent titles, such as the China-released Dungeon & Fighter Mobile and The First Descendant, struggled to maintain momentum after their initial debut and require further refinement.

Lee emphasized that the 'MapleStory success formula' will now be systematically transplanted into other key franchises. For the revitalization of the Dungeon & Fighter franchise, the company is collaborating with Tencent to overhaul the combat structure and reward systems of the mobile version, with 'Dungeon & Fighter Grow' slated for release within the year. Furthermore, 'Dungeon & Fighter Classic' is scheduled for a 2027 launch. Following the success of The First Berserker: Khazan, the company aims to continue its global expansion with new titles like Dungeon & Fighter: Arad and Project Overkill.

The Mabinogi IP is pushing for service expansion into Taiwan and Japan via Mabinogi Mobile, while also reinforcing the IP’s longevity through 'Mabinogi Eternity' and the new action RPG 'Vindictus: Defying Fate'. The FC franchise is teaming up with Naver for the 2026 World Cup to bridge game content with real-world football, fostering synergy across PC, mobile, and Naver platforms.

The company also teased its next-gen IP lineup, including new projects from Embark Studios and 'Nakwon: Last Paradise,' targeting a 2027 release to expand its global footprint. NEXON is exploring further business expansion through partnerships with giants like EA and Tencent, alongside a publishing deal with Blizzard Entertainment. NEXON’s AI initiative, 'Monolake,' acts as a powerful assistant that leverages decades of data and insights to innovate every step from development to live operations, freeing developers to focus on pure creativity.

Finally, CFO Shiro Uemura announced that with over 800 billion yen in cash equivalents and stable cash-generating capabilities, the company will maximize shareholder value through 'principle-based investment' and 'consistent capital returns.' Through strict cost control and resource reallocation, NEXON expects simultaneous growth in revenue and operating profit for 2026, aiming to build a long-term, sustainable model through structural profitability improvements.

Shareholder return policies are being bolstered as well. A dividend of 60 yen per share is planned for 2026, a 33% increase over 2025. NEXON will maintain its policy of returning at least 33% of the previous year's operating profit to shareholders and remains committed to enhancing value through proactive measures like share buybacks.