Core Insights - Nexon reported strong financial results for Q3 2025, with a revenue of ¥118.7 billion, reflecting a 12% year-over-year decline on an as-reported basis, but a 9% decline on a constant-currency basis [5] - The MapleStory franchise achieved a remarkable 61% year-over-year revenue growth in Q3, and is projected to reach a 40% year-over-year growth for the full year 2025, marking its highest annual revenue in 22 years [2][4] - The new IP, ARC Raiders, launched on October 30, 2025, has sold over 4 million units and maintained the 1 position on Steam's Top Sellers list, indicating a successful debut [5][20] Financial Performance - Q3 revenue was ¥118.7 billion, down 12% year-over-year; operating income was ¥37.5 billion, down 27% year-over-year; net income increased by 41% to ¥38.2 billion, primarily due to a foreign exchange gain [5][10] - The board of directors approved a doubling of the year-end dividend to ¥30 per share, reflecting confidence in cash generation from existing franchises and new games [3][10] - A share buyback of ¥25 billion is set to commence, with a total of ¥75 billion completed to date under a ¥100 billion buyback policy [16] Franchise Highlights - The Dungeon&Fighter franchise saw a 72% year-over-year revenue growth for the PC version, while the mobile version's revenue declined by 45% year-over-year due to the upcoming launch in 2024 [10] - FC ONLINE revenue increased year-over-year in Q3, driven by successful updates, and is expected to continue growing in Q4 [8] - MapleStory: Idle RPG launched globally on November 6, 2025, and is anticipated to contribute significantly to Q4 revenue [10] Market Expansion and Future Outlook - Nexon plans to expand its presence in China through partnerships, including an Open Beta for THE FINALS starting November 18 [5] - A fully hyperlocalized adaptation of MABINOGI MOBILE is scheduled for release in Japan in 2026, indicating ongoing efforts to cater to local markets [5] - The company expects Q4 revenue to range from ¥115.8 billion to ¥129.3 billion, representing a year-over-year growth of 45% to 62% on an as-reported basis [16]

Nexon expects to post a record full-year operating profit, driven by surging demand for its long-running MapleStory franchise in Korea and its new title ARC Raiders in North America and Europe https://t.co/UYQwIDeJaY ...

Group 1: Wealth Growth of Entrepreneurs - The 2025 Hurun Rich List shows significant wealth growth among Chinese entrepreneurs, with the top three being Zhong Shanshan, Zhang Yiming, and Ma Huateng, all of whom have substantial business interests in the gaming industry [1][2] - Ma Huateng's wealth increased by ¥150 billion (+48%) to ¥465 billion, primarily due to the rise in Tencent's stock price and the success of its gaming strategy [2][3] - Ding Lei's wealth rose by ¥120 billion (+60%) to ¥320 billion, driven by stable revenues from several games under NetEase and the anticipated return of Blizzard's games in China [3] Group 2: Performance of Gaming Companies - Gigabit's Q3 revenue reached ¥1.968 billion, a year-on-year increase of 129.19%, with net profit soaring by 307.70%, marking a record high for the company [4][7] - Giant Network reported a Q3 revenue of ¥1.706 billion, up 115.63% year-on-year, with net profit increasing by 81.19%, attributed to the success of new games [7] - 37 Interactive Entertainment's Q3 net profit reached ¥944 million, a year-on-year growth of 49.24%, driven by the performance of several new titles [7] Group 3: Industry Trends and Future Outlook - The gaming industry continues to play a crucial role in the Chinese economy, with the potential for further changes in the wealth landscape as new games are launched [3] - The success of games like "Honor of Kings" and the upcoming projects under its IP indicate a robust expansion strategy within the gaming sector [15][19] - The return of Blizzard's classic games and the launch of new titles reflect a dynamic and evolving gaming market in China [31][34]

Here Are The Exact ‘ARC Raiders’ Launch Times In Your RegionARC Raiders, after a number of very high-profile, very well-played tests, is finally coming out in earnest tomorrow, Thursday, October 30. https://t.co/vaXybhuSSX ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the recent controversy surrounding the game "Delta Operation," which has faced backlash from players due to balance adjustments made on October 5, 2023, affecting certain gameplay mechanics and character classes [1][6][27] - The adjustments have led to significant player discussions and a planned boycott on October 10, 2023, indicating a strong emotional response from the community [1][6][27] Player Reactions - Players have expressed mixed feelings about the balance changes, with some believing that the adjustments do not significantly impact core players, while others argue that the changes undermine the game's appeal to casual players [5][12][18] - A notable portion of the player base is considering switching to competing games like "Dark Zone Breakout" and "Battlefield 6" due to dissatisfaction with the recent changes [6][27] Official Response - In response to the backlash, the official team of "Delta Operation" issued an apology and compensation on October 8, 2023, within three days of the initial announcement, indicating a recognition of the issue's severity [6][12][27] - The company is preparing for further communication and adjustments to address player concerns, highlighting the importance of player feedback in game development [6][27] Market Context - The "search and extraction" genre, exemplified by "Delta Operation," is experiencing growth, with other titles in the market also gaining traction, suggesting a competitive landscape [27][28] - The article notes that while "Delta Operation" has contributed to the genre's development, the market is not yet saturated, and new entrants from major companies are expected to intensify competition [27][28] Economic Considerations - The article highlights concerns about in-game economic inflation, which has become more pronounced over time, suggesting that gameplay adjustments alone may not be sufficient to address underlying economic issues [26][27] - Players have called for more consumption outlets for in-game currency to mitigate inflation rather than restricting gameplay options [26][27]