Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Nexon launching free-to-play Ghost in the Shell FPS in first half of 2014]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/14/nexon-launching-free-to-play-ghost-in-the-shell-fps-in-first-hal/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/14/nexon-launching-free-to-play-ghost-in-the-shell-fps-in-first-hal/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/14/nexon-launching-free-to-play-ghost-in-the-shell-fps-in-first-hal/#comments Nexon has announced that it will release an online PC FPS called Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex in the first half of 2014, in partnership with Kodansha Ltd., the comic book publisher behind the long-running Ghost in the Shell series.

Stand Alone Complex will be based on the Japanese animated series of the same name and will offer up a cooperative battle mode, as well as other ways to battle with and against cyborgs. Considering the game is coming from Nexon (the maker of games like Maple Story, Combat Arms, and Dragon Nest), it probably comes as no surprise to learn the Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex will be free-to-play and supported by microtransactions.

We've got almost a year to wait for this one, but Nexon also points out that it is only the first of a few different games it will be making with Kodansha as part of a deal announced in December 2012.

JoystiqNexon launching free-to-play Ghost in the Shell FPS in first half of 2014 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animecomic-booksghost-in-the-shellghost-in-the-shell-stand-alone-complexgitskodanshamanganexonpcstand-alone-complexThu, 14 Feb 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Valve partners with Nexon to bring Dota 2 to Japan and Korea]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/11/valve-partners-with-nexon-to-bring-dota-2-to-japan-and-korea/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/11/valve-partners-with-nexon-to-bring-dota-2-to-japan-and-korea/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/11/valve-partners-with-nexon-to-bring-dota-2-to-japan-and-korea/#comments Valve partners with Nexon to bring Dota 2 to Japan and KoreaOnline game publisher Nexon has announced that it's teaming up with Valve to bring the free-to-play Dota 2 to the Japanese and Korean markets. Dota 2 is of course based on a Warcraft 3 mod named Defense of the Ancients, and the multiplayer online battle arena style of gameplay, inspired by real-time strategy games, will likely appeal very much to those overseas markets. Valve's Gabe Newell says, according to the press release, that "partnering with Nexon will allow us to deliver Dota 2 to a massive audience of Asian gamers via a premium service."

Dota 2's competitor League of Legends has already been enormously popular in Korea, with a South Korean team nabbing the world title at the last championships. So Valve is likely expecting a lot from Nexon, in terms of delivering the game to these new markets. Dota 2 is currently in closed beta and heading toward a free-to-play launch soon.

JoystiqValve partners with Nexon to bring Dota 2 to Japan and Korea originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 11 Nov 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dota-2gabe-newellicefrogjapankoreamarketsnexonoverseaspcvalveSun, 11 Nov 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nexon acquires Mobage game developer gloops for $468m]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/01/nexon-acquires-mobage-developer-gloops-for-468m/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/01/nexon-acquires-mobage-developer-gloops-for-468m/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/01/nexon-acquires-mobage-developer-gloops-for-468m/#comments Nexon acquires Mobage developer for $468mNexon shelled out ¥36.5 billion to buy gloops, a company that develops games for DeNA's Mobage network. That figure converts to an absolutely whopping $468 million. Nexon didn't stump up that much yen because they're seeking fun, but because gloops is one of the most successful makers of Japanese social games. Those games include Shibuya Quest, MLB Battle Game, and Odin Battle, and the company boasts over 10 million active players across its collection. Legend Cards has over 1.5 million players in Japan alone, while Magigate had 100,000 people playing it within just seven hours of its release.

Either way, Nexon apparently has money to burn. The South Korean company, known for free-to-play MMOs like MapleStory, last year set its initial public offering on the stock market at $1.2 billion.

JoystiqNexon acquires Mobage game developer gloops for $468m originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gloops-incjapanmobilenexonsouth-koreaMon, 01 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nexon showing Shadow Company, unannounced project at Gamescom]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/25/nexon-showing-shadow-company-unannounced-project-at-gamescom/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/25/nexon-showing-shadow-company-unannounced-project-at-gamescom/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/25/nexon-showing-shadow-company-unannounced-project-at-gamescom/#comments Nexon has announced that it will be showcasing two new games at Gamescom next month. First up is Shadow Company from Doobic Game Studios, the company behind Combat Arms (and the PC version of Devil's Third). Shadow Company is slated for 2013, runs on Unreal Engine 3 and, like Combat Arms, is a free-to-play military shooter. It promises "highly intense multiplayer gameplay" including the "Blackmoney" mode, which has four teams of four players going at it. Honestly, it's hard to imagine Doobic topping the innovation of the "nut shot."

Nexon will also be showing an unannounced, free-to-play naval RTS game. Check out a gallery of Shadow Company shots below (which doesn't feature any shots below, if you get our drift).

Gallery: Shadow Company

Continue reading Nexon showing Shadow Company, unannounced project at Gamescom

JoystiqNexon showing Shadow Company, unannounced project at Gamescom originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jul 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>doobicdoobic-game-studiosdoobic-studiosfree-to-playGamescom-2012nexonpcshadow-companyWed, 25 Jul 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kingdoms of Amalur MMO 'wasn't fun,' Take-Two was mystery Reckoning 2 publisher]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/23/kingdoms-of-amalur-mmo-wasnt-fun-take-two-was-mystery-reckon/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/23/kingdoms-of-amalur-mmo-wasnt-fun-take-two-was-mystery-reckon/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/23/kingdoms-of-amalur-mmo-wasnt-fun-take-two-was-mystery-reckon/#comments Despite being "in love" with the Kingdoms of Amalur MMO before its developer filed for bankruptcy, 38 Studios head Curt Schilling worried "the game wasn't fun." Schilling opens up on a variety of subjects in a recent Boston Magazine feature story, saying, "It was my biggest gripe for probably the past eight to 12 months." Even 38's own employees weren't playing it in their free time, apparently.

Additionally, Take-Two Interactive - publisher of everything from BioShock to Grand Theft Auto - is fingered as the mysterious publisher vying for rights to a Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning sequel. For its part, Take-Two calls Schilling's claim "rumor and speculation." Schilling contends the sequel deal was close to "final sign-off" when Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee's mid-May public statements gave Take-Two cold feet.

Finally, in a last minute effort to save his company, Schilling and other executives spoke with an unnamed Chinese investor about potentially working together, as well as South Korean MMO company Nexon. Neither deal panned out, and the company declared bankruptcy this past June.

The Boston Magazine piece is quite a thorough examination of the history of 38 Studios, and contextualizes much of the sordid tale we've seen play out over the past eight months. Get a delicious beverage and a comfy seat - it's gonna be a while.

JoystiqKingdoms of Amalur MMO 'wasn't fun,' Take-Two was mystery Reckoning 2 publisher originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioschinakingdoms-of-amalurkingdoms-of-amalur-mmokingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningnexonproject-copernicustake-twotake-two-interactiveMon, 23 Jul 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeon Fighter Live punches up XBLA on July 13]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/04/dungeon-fighter-live-punches-up-xbla-on-july-13/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/04/dungeon-fighter-live-punches-up-xbla-on-july-13/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/04/dungeon-fighter-live-punches-up-xbla-on-july-13/#comments Dungeon Fighter Live punches up XBLA July 13Early last year, we heard that Nexon was bringing its immensely popular free-to-play beat-em-up, Dungeon Fighter Online, to Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade, but the wait's been long and quiet since then. Now, finally, there's a light at the end of the tunnel: The game will arrive on July 13.

The full title is Dungeon Fighter Live: Fall of Hendon Myre, and it's a condensed version of the browser game that's claimed over 200 million players worldwide already. There will be three classes, as opposed to eight in the full game, but the XBLA title will have the added benefit of both local multiplayer and even offline play.

The game will also include new HD graphics and a new storyline, along with the crazy itemization and combo-driven action gameplay of the original.

JoystiqDungeon Fighter Live punches up XBLA on July 13 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browser-baseddungeon-fighter-livedungeon-fighter-live-fall-of-hendon-myredungeon-fighter-onlinefree-to-playjuly 13July13microsoftnexonpcrelease-datexblaxboxWed, 04 Jul 2012 05:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nexon pays $685 million for 14.7 percent of NCsoft]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/10/nexon-pays-685-million-for-14-7-percent-of-ncsoft/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/10/nexon-pays-685-million-for-14-7-percent-of-ncsoft/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/10/nexon-pays-685-million-for-14-7-percent-of-ncsoft/#commentsNexon is now a minority shareholder in MMO publisher NCsoft, having purchased 3.218 million shares of the company from NCsoft chairman/cofounder Taek Jin Kim to the tune of ₩804.5 billion ($685.43 millon) - 14.7 percent of total stock. This makes Nexon the largest shareholder in NCsoft, according to VentureBeat.

The purchase is part of a two-year agreement between the two South Korean game companies, though the specifics of said agreement remain shrouded in mystery. This announcement comes somewhat cooly on the heels of reports that claimed Nexon had designs to take over EA; reports that ended up being far less interesting than originally thought.

Update: Nexon has informed us that the deal was a "one-time purchase" and that they "have not made any announcements about any future plans."

JoystiqNexon pays $685 million for 14.7 percent of NCsoft originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 10 Jun 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>NCsoftNexonpcshareholdersSouth-KoreastockSun, 10 Jun 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nexon's relationship with EA is much less exciting than we heard before]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/nexons-relationship-with-ea-is-much-less-exciting-than-we-heard/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/nexons-relationship-with-ea-is-much-less-exciting-than-we-heard/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/nexons-relationship-with-ea-is-much-less-exciting-than-we-heard/#comments US game publishing giant Electronic Arts isn't being purchased by South Korean social game company Nexon anytime soon, but the two companies are in talks. Not talks about an acquisition, mind you, but regarding Asian distribution of EA's FIFA Online series. Those two things are what we might call, "totally different," but Bloomberg's unnamed sources apparently didn't see a huge difference between the two when they informed the publication last week that Nexon was seeking a purchase of EA.

Bloomberg's backtracking on that report - which pretty much everyone called very unlikely at the time - is saying now that "three people with knowledge of the matter" tell the publication a deal is being brokered between Nexon and EA for distribution of the online-based soccer title in Asia. Specifically, EA could employ Nexon's "online servers and developers in Asia" to help bring FIFA Online to the continent. An announcement of the partnership is expected "as early as June," which, you know, would line up pretty well with E3 2012.

JoystiqNexon's relationship with EA is much less exciting than we heard before originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiaeaea-sportsea-sports-fifa-onlineea-sports-fifa-online-2electronic-artsfifa-onlinefifa-online-2nexonFri, 04 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nexon bids for EA takeover, everyone says it's very unlikely]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/nexon-bids-for-ea-takeover-everyone-says-its-very-unlikely/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/nexon-bids-for-ea-takeover-everyone-says-its-very-unlikely/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/nexon-bids-for-ea-takeover-everyone-says-its-very-unlikely/#comments ImageYou know Nexon, right? The South Korean MMO company that made Maple Story and ... uh ... Everplanet ... and stuff? Anyway, Nexon is a pretty big deal on the other side of the Pacific Ocean. Such a big deal, in fact, that it's looking at buying out some of its rivals, apparently including EA. MK Business News (a South Korean newspaper) reports that Nexon's Japanese headquarters spoke with EA about a potential acquisition recently.

What came of those talks, however, is unclear. For its part, EA isn't offering any news. "We don't comment on rumors and speculation," is all reps told us, which you'll notice isn't a denial of said talks taking place.

But could such a deal even take place? Experts don't seem to think so. "My takeaway is that this deal cannot happen," Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter told GI International. "There are few, if any synergies, and no reason to believe that Nexon could run EA's assets more efficiently. Nexon shareholders would own a completely different company than what they bought in the December IPO," he added, referring to Nexon's late 2011 public stock offering.

So for now, while the talk of an EA takeover is always scintillating to discuss, it's very likely not happening (at least via Nexon) anytime soon.

JoystiqNexon bids for EA takeover, everyone says it's very unlikely originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buyouteaelectronic-artsmichael-pachternexontakeoverwedbush-securitiesThu, 26 Apr 2012 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Nexon, Valve announce Counter-Strike Online 2 for Asian territories]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/nexon-valve-announce-counter-strike-online-2-for-asian-territor/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/nexon-valve-announce-counter-strike-online-2-for-asian-territor/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/nexon-valve-announce-counter-strike-online-2-for-asian-territor/#comments ImageSouth Korean developer Nexon this week announced Counter-Strike Online 2, a sequel to its successful made-for-Asian-gaming-cafes port of the original Counter-Strike. Developed under license from Valve, Counter-Strike Online 2 will launch in China, South Korea, Japan and "other areas in Southeast Asia" on a future date.

When it does launch, it'll run on an "enhanced" version of the Source Engine and feature "enhanced graphics, more realistic gameplay and powerful impact sensations," the latter of which troubles us slightly considering the game is primarily about bullets impacting squishy human bodies. We're not in a huge rush to experience that firsthand.

Continue reading Nexon, Valve announce Counter-Strike Online 2 for Asian territories

JoystiqNexon, Valve announce Counter-Strike Online 2 for Asian territories originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiaChinaCounter-strikecounter-strike-online-2CS-online-2CSO2JapanNexonpcSouth-KoreaSoutheast-AsiaValveFri, 06 Apr 2012 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeon Fighter Online for XBLA gets much longer name, new trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/18/dungeon-fighter-online-for-xbla-gets-much-longer-name-new-trail/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/18/dungeon-fighter-online-for-xbla-gets-much-longer-name-new-trail/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/18/dungeon-fighter-online-for-xbla-gets-much-longer-name-new-trail/#comments
We haven't really heard anything about the Xbox Live Arcade version of Dungeon Fighter Online since it was announced last year. Today we have the first trailer and news that the game has received a new (and much longer) title. Henceforth, it shall be known as Dungeon Fighter Live: Fall of Hendon Myre.

Also of note -- especially after missing the original 2011 launch window -- Nexon has revealed that Dungeon Fighter Live will now be released "later this year."

Continue reading Dungeon Fighter Online for XBLA gets much longer name, new trailer

JoystiqDungeon Fighter Online for XBLA gets much longer name, new trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dungeon-fighter-live-fall-of-hendon-myremicrosoftmicrosoft-studiosnexonrelease-datexblaxboxxbox-liveWed, 18 Jan 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[ESA members asked individually about SOPA, some respond]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/sopa-list-esa/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/sopa-list-esa/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/sopa-list-esa/#comments Rock, Paper, Shotgun collaborated in obtaining responses.
The Entertainment Software Association's support of the "Stop Online Piracy Act" has led us to ask every member of the video game industry's lobbying and political group to publicly declare its stance on the bill. The ESA's continued support means every member, by proxy, is a supporter of the bill.

Some companies have pulled their logos from supporting SOPA documentation to dodge ire, while others are hiding behind rhetoric, as you'll see below. Joystiq contacted every member of the ESA and requested a declarative statement on SOPA. After the break we've listed the responses we've received, along with others we found. We continue to seek clarity on this issue from every member of the ESA.

This will become the page we update as we receive responses and clear declarative statements, so feel free to bookmark.

(Joystiq does not support SOPA, nor does our parent company.)

Continue reading ESA members asked individually about SOPA, some respond

JoystiqESA members asked individually about SOPA, some respond originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>345-games38-studios505-gamescapcomdeep-silverdisneydisney-interactiveeaeidoseidos-interactiveelectronic-artsEntertainment-software-associationepic-gamesESAfutureher-interactiveignition-entertainmentkonamilevel-5microsoftnamconatsumenexonnintendonivalnvidiao-gamesperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpoliticssegaslangsonysony-online-entertainmentSOPAsquare-enixstop-online-piracy-acttake-twotake-two-interactivethqtrionubisoftwarner-bros-interactivewbieFri, 06 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Personal information stolen from Korean MapleStory servers, US accounts unaffected]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/personal-information-stolen-from-korean-maplestory-servers-us-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/personal-information-stolen-from-korean-maplestory-servers-us-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/personal-information-stolen-from-korean-maplestory-servers-us-a/#comments While the majority of U.S citizens were stuffing their collective face holes with various dead birds and baked goods last Thursday, 13.2 million South Koreans scrambled to protect their identities from an as-of-yet-unidentified group of hackers. According to The Korean Herald, a security breach involving Nexon Korea Corp.'s MapleStory servers resulted in the "leak" of encrypted personal information, including usernames, passwords and the South Korean equivalent of Social Security Numbers.

Players in other parts of the world need not be concerned, however. A Nexon representative told the Yonhap News service that South Korea's servers are independent from those in other regions, and as a result only South Korean information was compromised.

Our guess? Jealous Canadian syrup extremists. It's the only explanation that makes sense.

JoystiqPersonal information stolen from Korean MapleStory servers, US accounts unaffected originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 26 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hackhackersmaple-storymaplestorynexonnexon-koreanexon-korea-corppcsecurity-breachSat, 26 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MS: Dungeon Fighter Online to be a 'paid XBLA title with online multiplayer features']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/25/ms-dungeon-fighter-online-to-be-a-paid-xbla-title-with-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/25/ms-dungeon-fighter-online-to-be-a-paid-xbla-title-with-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/25/ms-dungeon-fighter-online-to-be-a-paid-xbla-title-with-online/#comments Yesterday, Nexon announced an Xbox Live Arcade version of its free-to-play side-scrolling MMO, Dungeon Fighter Online. Today, Microsoft clarified that the Xbox adaptation won't be free-to-play ... and hinted that it might not be an MMO, either.

"Dungeon Fighter Online will be a paid XBLA title with online multiplayer features," a Microsoft representative told Joystiq. "It is not a freemium MMORPG." This still leaves plenty of questions about exactly how it works -- though the phrase "with online multiplayer features" sounds a lot like the MMO nature is being downplayed for the console version. At least now we understand how the monetization model will work for this version -- you just give Microsoft money up front.

Of course, if Dungeon Fighter isn't an MMO, that's probably for the best. Microsoft Game Studios has a history with MMOs. A history of making them history.

JoystiqMS: Dungeon Fighter Online to be a 'paid XBLA title with online multiplayer features' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dungeon-fighter-onlinemicrosoftmmonexonxblaxboxFri, 25 Mar 2011 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Nexon's Dungeon Fighter Online coming to Xbox Live Arcade later this year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/24/nexons-dungeon-fighter-online-coming-to-xbox-live-arcade-later/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/24/nexons-dungeon-fighter-online-coming-to-xbox-live-arcade-later/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/24/nexons-dungeon-fighter-online-coming-to-xbox-live-arcade-later/#comments One in six people in China have played Nexon's Dungeon Fighter Online -- the free-to-play 2D action PC MMORPG claimed over 200 million registered users even before its launch in North America, at one point seeing 2.2 million concurrent users. And now Nexon is reaching out for another audience entirely: It's announced that DFO is coming to Xbox Live later in 2011, published by none other than Microsoft Games Studios.

The console version will be jointly developed by Nexon and Korean developer Softmax, and the game's original developer, Neople, will direct the project. There's no word on whether it will be free-to-play or microtransaction-based on Xbox Live Arcade or not -- the original game, like all of Nexon's titles, is supported by sales of in-game items, from gear and potions to XP boosts.

Joystiq has contacted Nexon to find out more, and we'll let you know what we hear. This announcement could be huge -- a free-to-play MMO hit on consoles, especially in the west, would have big ramifications for the gaming industry at large.

Update: "Nothing has been determined yet" about the model for this one, we're told. Nexon says it's too early in the process to talk about exactly how this version of the game will work.

Continue reading Nexon's Dungeon Fighter Online coming to Xbox Live Arcade later this year

JoystiqNexon's Dungeon Fighter Online coming to Xbox Live Arcade later this year originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consolesdungeon-fighter-onlinemicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosmmommorpgneoplenexonsoftmaxxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeThu, 24 Mar 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nexon America's pre-paid card empire]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/07/nexon-americas-pre-paid-card-empire/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/07/nexon-americas-pre-paid-card-empire/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/07/nexon-americas-pre-paid-card-empire/#comments Nexon America CEO Daniel Kim tells an interesting story about how his company created one of the biggest phenomena in gaming retail lately: The pre-paid card. Nowadays, you can find rows of pre-paid cards for Nexon's microtransaction-based games like MapleStory or Vindictus lining the shelves of any 7-11 or Target. But a few years ago, both Target and its customers had to be sold on the idea.

Kim and his company came up with a way to teach customers how it worked, right inside a browser-based MMO. "We had a quest in-game, to go to Target in-game, to the section where they had the game cards," Kim says. Target kept the cards not in the gaming section, but in the music section alongside iTunes gift cards. "So three months leading up to the actual release of the card, we actually had a quest in-game to go get allowance from an NPC, go to the Target store, go to the music section, go find a CD card."

The training worked. "Day one," says Kim, "the cards were released, they were sold out in so many stores. They called us and said, 'We gotta print more cards.'"

Continue reading Nexon America's pre-paid card empire

JoystiqNexon America's pre-paid card empire originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daniel-kimdragon-nestkoreamaplestorymin-kimmmommorpgnexonnexon-americapcpre-paid-cardsvindictusMon, 07 Feb 2011 10:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Preview: Vindictus]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/21/preview-vindictus/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/21/preview-vindictus/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/21/preview-vindictus/#comments 2010 marked Nexon's first appearance ever at an E3, and that says quite a bit about both the company and the free-to-play business model it's adapted for MMO action titles. The South Korean company was showing off three different games at the show: the recently released 2D action MMO Dungeon Fighter Online, an upcoming 3D fantasy MMORPG with a casual bent called Dragon Nest, and this one, Vindictus, an action RPG using a heavily modified version of the Source engine to provide a little physics-based hacking and slashing fun.

While the look of these games is very different, they all have the same origin (free-to-play titles with lots of microtransactions, originating in South Korea and translated over to North America for Western audiences), and the same problems. They all have excellent premises and even some good design ideas, but they just don't have the polish, especially when compared to popular Western games, to make the experience shine.

Gallery: Vindictus (E3 2010)

Continue reading Preview: Vindictus

JoystiqPreview: Vindictus originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2010fantasyfree-to-playmmonexonnexon-americapcvindictusMon, 21 Jun 2010 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeon Fighter Online launches in North America]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/10/dungeon-fighter-online-launches-in-north-america/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/10/dungeon-fighter-online-launches-in-north-america/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/10/dungeon-fighter-online-launches-in-north-america/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Nexon's MMORPBEUG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Beat 'Em Up Game) has finally made its way to North American hearts, minds and internets. After racking up more than 200 million players overseas, the free-to-play, genre-defying Dungeon Fighter Online is now available to download at no cost through Nexon America's site.

If you're curious how an MMORPBEUG actually works, you can check out a whole gaggle of trailers over on the game's YouTube channel. Basically, it handles like Final Fight, only with a Diablo-esque user interface, and a Ragnarok-inspired art design, and World of Warcraft-esque character specialization trees. Yeah, it's all over the place.

JoystiqDungeon Fighter Online launches in North America originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dungeon-fighter-onlinemmoneopleNexonnexon-americapcThu, 10 Jun 2010 10:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeon Fighter Online beta applications now open]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/dungeon-fighter-online-beta-applications-now-open/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/dungeon-fighter-online-beta-applications-now-open/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/dungeon-fighter-online-beta-applications-now-open/#commentsNexon's bizarre free-to-play MMORPG, Dungeon Fighter Online, mixes Golden Axe style side-scrolling gameplay with 2D cartoon artwork and massively multiplayer persistent RPG elements. You can try it for yourself on your PC by signing up for the closed beta on the official Dungeon Fighter Online website. Sign-ups end on July 6.

Nexon will announce the dates of the beta at a later time. Meanwhile, feel free to read up on the various classes or Massively's hands-on impressions of the game from E3.

[Via Big Download]

JoystiqDungeon Fighter Online beta applications now open originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dungeon-fighter-onlinenexonnexon-americaThu, 25 Jun 2009 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Combat Arms introduces 'Nut Shot' instant kill]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/02/combat-arms-introduces-nut-shot-instant-kill/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/02/combat-arms-introduces-nut-shot-instant-kill/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/02/combat-arms-introduces-nut-shot-instant-kill/#comments
Getting hit in the nuts isn't just for AFV anymore, as free online FPS Combat Arms has recently employed such a technique. Whenever a male player is shot, uh, down there, the words "Nut Shot" will appear at the top of the screen, next to a pair of shattered walnuts. Min Kim, director of Nexon America, told MTV Multiplayer that including this helps the game stand out from all of the other FPS titles on the market, allowing Combat Arms to be more "Jackie Chan" than "Bruce Lee," with the latter being used to label your more traditional FPS games such as Call of Duty and Counter Strike.

If you're playing a female character, however, you're immune to the Nut Shot ... for obvious reasons. And if you're already playing as a dude, well, it's possible to change genders in the game. If Nexon doesn't come up with a female equivalent, we expect most players will stick to being girls.

JoystiqCombat Arms introduces 'Nut Shot' instant kill originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>combat-armsfpsnexonnexon-americanut-shotpcThu, 02 Apr 2009 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[MapleStory dev's Vancouver studio shuttered]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/28/maplestory-devs-vancouver-studio-shuttered/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/28/maplestory-devs-vancouver-studio-shuttered/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/28/maplestory-devs-vancouver-studio-shuttered/#commentsWe're sure you've all heard of Nexon Vancouver (a.k.a. Humanature), the Canadian branch of Korean MapleStory creator, Nexon. Oh, you haven't. That's likely because it hadn't produced any games. And now it's been closed, as confirmed by Gamasutra.

The studio had been working on a free-to-play MMO titled Sugar Rush (not to be confused with the BBC series) and was headed up by Relic Entertainment co-founder, Alex Garden. Upwards of 90 employees have reportedly been let go in the closure, which Nexon has attributed to "today's economic landscape and the need to secure Nexon's core business for the long term."

Nexon's Los Angeles operation will remain open and, according to the company, "will continue to work on our existing titles as well as upcoming titles for 2009." (Unlike the now-defunct Vancouver unit, the folks at Nexon L.A. aren't developing original content -- they perform localization of Nexon's Korean language titles for the US.) For those keeping tabs on the Great Games Industry Bloodletting of Ought-Nine, we're up to three studio closures (Black Box, Pandemic Brisbane, Humanature) and some 335 jobs lost -- not counting the ones EA and Microsoft won't disclose.

JoystiqMapleStory dev's Vancouver studio shuttered originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>humanaturelayoffsmaplestorynexonnexon-vancouverWed, 28 Jan 2009 17:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq hands-on: Combat Arms (Page 2)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/joystiq-hands-on-combat-arms-page-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/joystiq-hands-on-combat-arms-page-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/joystiq-hands-on-combat-arms-page-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Combat Arms employs a clearly visible player ranking system in order to tie together rank rewards, the in-game currency, and the socialization aspects.

Kim and Yang noted that this balance between purchased items and off-the-rack choices didn't exist in the original Korean version of the game. As previously mentioned, the Korean gamers were looking for a more "arcade-y" experience. Grenades had flares to make them easier to track, mines had blinking lights, and every purchased item was a pure win for the player -- why not buy in that environment. As Kim put it, "American players have a definite concept of what is fair and what isn't," and they were determined to cater to that.

Yang noted that the despite changes from the Korean version, Combat Arms retains the "jump-in-and-out" gameplay that made this take on the genre so popular there. Nexon believes Americans will respond (and are responding) to this vision of what an FPS could be, based primarily on the "feel" of the game. As an example, Min Kim noted the simple feature that you can run in the game:

"If you press the shift button you actually run. That is not an option in a lot of other FPSs so it feels a lot faster and a lot of people like that. It's one of those things that is not easy to market; you can't say: 'hey you press the shift button you go really fast' on the back of a box. They don't know what that means until they start playing it."



After talking through the game as a concept, we sat down to play a few rounds -- dying numerous times to both Kim and Yang as they schooled us on the game's public servers. (Protip: Anyone interested in jumping into the game can already do so. Nexon has had an amazingly positive reaction, and had to increase their server capacity unexpectedly fast to deal with demand.)

During our back-and-forth matches, Yang stated that Nexon's planning to update the game on a regular basis. The company has been regularly releasing a patch to the game every two weeks since the game's beta began. Every update will add new weaponry, while a new map or game type will be added every month or two.

That endless state of updates driven by player demand will likely never stop for the game, and neither will the game's "test" state. After the interview, we spoke with Nexon representative Robert Holtzman to clarify when the game would be going with a hard launch. He laughed, and noted that the game might never get one -- given the title's popularity already, Nexon plans to continue to expand through word of mouth advertising and constant improvements.

Overall, we walked away from Combat Arms very impressed. Given the game's region of origin and the stigma of a free-to-play titles, Nexon's offering is a surprisingly fun and impressively attractive offering. It's a fast-action title that will please the twitch-happy mindless shooter fan just as easily as one looking for a more tactical approach. On top of it all, it deftly ties online clan gaming and Web 2.0 sensibilities together with ranks, formal groups, and eventually social networking plugins.

Given the unique blend of MMO and FPS in Combat Arms' DNA, it was intriguing and enlightening to see what the game has become. And it's always hard to turn down the offer of free.

JoystiqJoystiq hands-on: Combat Arms (Page 2) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>combat-armshands-onherb-yangmin-kimnexonPCThu, 04 Sep 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq hands-on: Combat Arms]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/joystiq-hands-on-combat-arms/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/joystiq-hands-on-combat-arms/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/joystiq-hands-on-combat-arms/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

We recently had the chance to check out Combat Arms, the free-to-play online FPS brought to US shores by Nexon of America. Nexon is best known in the states for its unique side-scrolling MMORPG Maple Story. Despite the company's grounding in the MMO genre, Nexon chooses to see itself as a purveyor of online games in general. From online racing in Kart Rider to virtual karaoke in Audition, the company publishes or develops a multitude of multiplayer experiences. Its extension to first-person shooters, in that light, makes a great deal of sense.

What's surprising is not that Nexon has chosen to jump into the FPS genre, but that the offering is as good as it is. The company has combined elements of mindless combat shooters like XIII with the multiplayer tactical orientation of a game like Counter-Strike. In doing so, it's delivered a title that can be as explosion- or strategy-focused as players want. And, of course, it wouldn't be Nexon without some unique twists -- namely, the incorporation of its successful microtransaction-based business model.

Gallery: Combat Arms

Continue reading Joystiq hands-on: Combat Arms

JoystiqJoystiq hands-on: Combat Arms originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>combat-armshands-onherb-yangmin-kimnexonPCThu, 04 Sep 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08: The future of MMOs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/gdc08-the-future-of-mmos/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/gdc08-the-future-of-mmos/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/gdc08-the-future-of-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Earlier today fans of Massively Multiplayer Online Games were given a rare treat: a look into the future of the genre. Five veteran members of the gaming industry debated the finer points of MMO game creation as it exists today, and how the games of tomorrow will be bolted together. Participants included Cryptic Studios' Jack Emmert, NCsoft's Matt Miller, BioWare's Ray Muzyka, Nexon's Min Kim, and Blizzard's Rob Pardo. Each designer brought their own unique points of view to the conversation, and their visible conflicts made for a not only entertaining but informational dialogue.

The biggest point of contention during the discussion was the subject of Microtransactions; while Nexon's business model is based entirely on that concept, Cryptic's Emmert was a staunch opponent of the practice in general and as a "magic bullet" in specific. Mr. Emmert also dug several times at Blizzard and Rob Pardo, cracking jokes like "Isn't it true that Blizzard is going to buy the entire continent of Africa?" and essentially stating that the Massive gaming industry is deeply sick as a result of WoW's success.

The entire liveblog of the discussion is available over at Massively, and is well worth a look.

Gallery: GDC08: The Future of MMOs

JoystiqGDC08: The future of MMOs originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Feb 2008 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareblizzardcity-of-heroesGDCmaplestorymatt-millermin-kimncsoftnexonPCray-muzykarob-pardoworld-of-warcraftFri, 22 Feb 2008 01:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Maple Story DS still coming this year, will have some multiplayer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/25/maple-story-ds-still-coming-this-year-will-have-some-multiplay/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/25/maple-story-ds-still-coming-this-year-will-have-some-multiplay/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/25/maple-story-ds-still-coming-this-year-will-have-some-multiplay/#commentsFiled under:


Over the past year, we've been fed a few tiny tidbits on Maple Story DS, the ARPG take on the popular MMORPG, and despite the few details we've heard (and seen), it seems the title is still set to hit this year. In a new interview with Gamasutra, Nexon's Stephen Lee reports that the company has been "aggressively developing" the DS title, and also shed some light on the lack of online multiplayer. Lee says this game will be very different from the MMO, though the game will boast "some features that support multiplayer," but the primary focus is on the single-player experience. While this may continue to disappoint those who'd hoped for even a local multiplayer Maple Story experience on their handheld, for others who tend to play alone anyway, this may actually be even more appealing.

According to Lee, Maple Story DS will launch first in South Korea, and from there ... the world.

JoystiqMaple Story DS still coming this year, will have some multiplayer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arpgmaple-storymaplestorynexonFri, 25 Jan 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Maple Story DS lacks the only feature anyone cares about]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/maple-story-ds-lacks-the-only-feature-anyone-cares-about/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/maple-story-ds-lacks-the-only-feature-anyone-cares-about/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/maple-story-ds-lacks-the-only-feature-anyone-cares-about/#commentsFiled under: ,

We've been waiting so long for information about Maple Story DS that we actually kind of forgot about it (and therefore forgot we were waiting for it). But after remembering that it exists, the same question popped up in our minds that we'd had months ago: is it an MMO? After all, that's the whole point of Maple Story: playing a side-scrolling Wonder Boy-style action-adventure with lots of other people (and hyphens).

But, according to an interview conducted by Gamasutra at the G* event, Maple Story DS, releasing mid-2008 in Korea, is to be a solo experience. "We have some features that support Wi-Fi, but the main focus will be on single player," Nexon's Jamie Kang said. Surprisingly, Nexon is working closely with Nintendo to develop the title. But can Nintendo save a non-online iteration of an MMO? And will anyone outside Korea notice if they do?

JoystiqMaple Story DS lacks the only feature anyone cares about originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arpgkoreamaple-storymaplestorymmonexonFri, 09 Nov 2007 09:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Kart Rider open beta (finally) begins in North America]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/04/kart-rider-open-beta-finally-begins-in-north-america/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/04/kart-rider-open-beta-finally-begins-in-north-america/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/04/kart-rider-open-beta-finally-begins-in-north-america/#commentsFiled under: , ,


South Korean racing phenomenon Kart Rider has finally entered its public beta phase in North America, with its colorful official website allowing players to sign up and download the game client (Windows only).

For those not in the know, Kart Rider is a cel-shaded racing game heavily (and we mean heavily) inspired by Nintendo's Mario Kart series. Players purchase upgrades and cosmetic features for their characters, and go online to race and compete. The Kart Rider client is completely free, and the developers, Nexon, earn all their revenue through virtual item purchases on the official site. The revenue model must be working for them, as Kart Rider is one of the most profitable games in South Korea, directly competing with Blizzard's mega-hit Starcraft. We'll have to wait and see if the game can make the same kind of impact in the States.

JoystiqKart Rider open beta (finally) begins in North America originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Oct 2007 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kart-riderkartriderkoreanexonPCThu, 04 Oct 2007 05:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Austin GDC: Live at the Minho Kim keynote]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/07/austin-gdc-live-at-the-minho-kim-keynote/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/07/austin-gdc-live-at-the-minho-kim-keynote/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/07/austin-gdc-live-at-the-minho-kim-keynote/#comments
If you haven't heard of Minho Kim, I'll forgive you -- I hadn't heard of him either until the name showed up in the list of keynote presentations at the Austin Game Developers Conference. Kim is Nexon America's director of game operations, and while Nexon hasn't made a big impact in North American markets, their free-to-play, micro-transaction driven online games (the best known of which is probably MapleStory) are a hit in Asia and Europe. Kim's keynote launches the final day of the conference with a discussion of micro-transactions. Joystiq is on-site waiting for festivities to begin, so keep reading for a play-by-play.

Continue reading Austin GDC: Live at the Minho Kim keynote

JoystiqAustin GDC: Live at the Minho Kim keynote originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Sep 2007 10:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agdcaustin game developers conferenceAustinGameDevelopersConferencelivebloglivebloggingmaplestorymicrotransactionmicrotransactionsminho kimMinhoKimnexonnexon americaNexonAmericaFri, 07 Sep 2007 10:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Maple Story: 2D side-scrolling MMORPG is DS-bound]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/09/maple-story-2d-side-scrolling-mmorpg-is-ds-bound/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/09/maple-story-2d-side-scrolling-mmorpg-is-ds-bound/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/09/maple-story-2d-side-scrolling-mmorpg-is-ds-bound/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

maple storyWho says DS can't handle an MMORPG? South Korean publisher Nexon has finally confirmed its bringing a version of Maple Story to Nintendo's handheld. Unlike standard sprawling MMOs, Maple Story is a side-scroller with chibi-style visuals and an emphasis on shopping. Peep this ridiculous teaser trailer.

Maple Story will debut on DS this September. Nexon has yet announce plans to release the game outside of South Korea.

[Via DS Fanboy]

JoystiqMaple Story: 2D side-scrolling MMORPG is DS-bound originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Jan 2007 20:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChibiDSMaple StoryMapleStoryMMORPGNexonNintendo WiFi ConnectionNintendoWifiConnectionSouth KoreaSouthKoreaTue, 09 Jan 2007 20:37:00 EST