Nexon Director Shin Min-seok: "We Will Create a Metaverse Platform That Realizes Everyone's Imagination"

Shin Min-seok, Nexon Project MOD General Director

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Nexon is accelerating the production of its metaverse platform. 'PROJECT MOD,' which is leading the platform development, is breaking the boundaries of traditional game development by allowing anyone to freely create and play content using MapleStory resources and avatars.

Under the slogan of a next-generation platform that can realize everyone's imagination, we explored the metaverse platform Nexon will showcase in the future through Shin Minseok, the general director leading the 'PROJECT MOD' team. Director Shin has been responsible for programming various games at Nexon, starting with Q-Play QuizQuiz, and most recently oversaw MapleStory 2.

▲ From what perspective does Nexon's PROJECT MOD view the metaverse, and what strengths or technologies does it possess?

- I think the metaverse is a virtual world where anything is possible. This virtual world can encompass various things such as entertainment, education, economic activities, and games. MOD is being developed as a platform that can comprehensively contain these elements. Our greatest strengths in this field are platform development capabilities and game development that operates within the metaverse. The foundation is the development know-how accumulated from creating numerous games across various genres and the technology honed through long-term live service operations.

For example, Nexon possesses the technology to create massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), enabling an environment where thousands of users can connect simultaneously and provide services through a global one-build method.

▲ You have been developing games at Nexon for 22 years. Compared to traditional game development, what unique career paths or experiences can one gain in PROJECT MOD?

- Usually, game development teams and platform development teams are separate, but MOD develops the platform while also directly creating games that operate within the metaverse. Therefore, a major advantage is that one can experience both platform development and game content development within a single organization. In MOD, instead of one team making one game, we are simultaneously creating games pursuing various genres and fun, allowing for unique experiences.

▲ You plan to increase the development workforce to 100 this year. What changes do you intend to bring through team expansion?

- We are preparing to successfully launch PROJECT MOD in the global market. To build a global platform, various functions need to be added. We are expanding the organization in advance to handle the vast and diverse demands and prepare accordingly.

▲ Metaverse platforms must guarantee diversity and autonomy. What methods does the PROJECT MOD team use to enhance creativity?

- We are fostering a culture where team members can easily exchange their thoughts. I believe that when people can freely express their ideas externally, diverse thoughts gather, leading to continuous new creative ideas. Recently, many new hires have joined MOD through Nexon's recruitment internship program called Nektorial. They are doing very well in this regard, and we can feel that the new employees are growing rapidly.