Nexon Mobile Blockbuster 'V4' Launches Campaign to Conquer Asian Market

Official Service in Taiwan and Hong Kong on the 26th... PC Beta Version Also Released
Dungeon & Fighter Mobile Version Launches in China

[Asia Economy Reporter Jin-gyu Lee] Nexon's mobile blockbuster 'V4' is set to target the Asian markets including Taiwan and Hong Kong. Additionally, Nexon's flagship PC game 'Dungeon & Fighter (DNF)' mobile version is gearing up for launch in the Chinese market. The strategy is to create a second cash cow overseas by leveraging these hit titles.

According to the gaming industry on the 25th, Nexon plans to officially launch the global version of V4 on the 26th in Taiwan, Macau, and Hong Kong. Alongside this, the PC beta version featuring 'cross-play' service, allowing V4 to be enjoyed not only on mobile but also on PC, will be introduced. Nexon introduced the V4 PC beta version with mobile account linkage enabling cross-play in Korea last December. Players can download the client and enjoy V4 on PC like a regular PC game, without using an emulator (a program that allows smartphone apps to run on PC). Nexon began accepting pre-registrations for V4 in Taiwan, Macau, and Hong Kong from the 20th of last month, and since the gaming preferences of users in these regions are similar to those in Korea, the response before launch has been positive. A Nexon official stated, "We have decided not to disclose pre-registration numbers as we did during the domestic launch," adding, "We are focusing more on marketing targeting users who are highly likely to actually access the game."

Furthermore, Nexon has completed the closed beta test (CBT) of 'DNF Mobile' (tentative name) in China and is conducting final preparations for its official release. The plan is to launch DNF Mobile in China in the second quarter. The PC game 'DNF,' which began service in China in November 2007, is being revived as a mobile game after 12 and a half years to target the local market. As of the 24th, pre-registrations for DNF Mobile, which started on December 30th last year in China, have exceeded 25 million. DNF, which began service domestically in August 2005, is Nexon's flagship PC game with approximately 600 million members worldwide. It also started service in China in 2007 and hit a so-called 'jackpot,' breaking the record with 5 million concurrent users in June 2014.

Last year, DNF's estimated revenue was $1.6 billion (1.872 trillion KRW), and considering Nexon's total annual revenue last year was 2.684 trillion KRW, DNF accounted for more than half of Nexon's revenue. As DNF's performance in the Chinese market slowed last year, Nexon's results have remained in the 2 trillion KRW range for three consecutive years. However, this year, Nexon aims for 3 trillion KRW in revenue through the global success of DNF Mobile and V4.