Nexon Sees 36% Boost in Q1 Sales, Thanks to Blue Archive

Nexon has unveiled its Q1 earnings, revealing substantial growth that surpasses forecasts for both revenue and net income. Key figures include: Revenue of ¥124 billion ($915 million), marking a 36% year-on-year increase, and Net income of ¥53.3 billion ($393 million), up 33% year-on-year. The company's performance was largely driven by the success of specific titles in key markets. FIFA Online 4 achieved record-breaking revenue in Korea, while FIFA Mobile exceeded expectations, contributing significantly to Nexon's results. Dungeon&Fighter performed well in China, and Blue Archive generated revenue in North America, Europe, and Japan. However, some titles underperformed, including MapleStory, Dungeon&Fighter Mobile, HIT2, and KartRider: Drift in Korea. Nexon attributed MapleStory's decline to user dissatisfaction with character development imbalances, but noted that the issue was addressed, and engagement is recovering. The company expects MapleStory to see significant growth in the current quarter, driven by its 20th-anniversary promotion and a planned content update in June. Looking ahead, Nexon forecasts a 5-15% year-over-year increase in revenue for the current quarter, with net income expected to decline by 6-27%.