Nexon

https://cn.investing.com/equities/nexon-co-ltd

Game Development and Publishing: The company has a professional game development team dedicated to creating various high-quality games. The development scope covers multiple game genres, from classic role-playing games (RPGs) to popular action-adventure games, and casual puzzle games, among others. For example, the game "MapleStory" is a 2D side-scrolling online game that has attracted a large number of players worldwide since its release in 2003, thanks to its rich storyline, cute character designs, diverse class settings, and continuously updated game content. It has maintained a high level of popularity for over twenty years and has a large player base in many countries and regions around the world. Nexon not only relies on its own development capabilities but also actively collaborates with outstanding game development studios globally to bring promising games under its wing and handle global distribution. By integrating global gaming resources, it enriches its game product line to meet the diverse needs of players from different regions and age groups. Game Operation and Maintenance: Nexon focuses on the long-term operation and maintenance of its games. It builds a stable server architecture for its games to ensure that players worldwide can play smoothly, reducing interruptions or lag caused by network issues. Taking "Counter-Strike Online" as an example, the company invests significant resources to optimize server performance, ensuring that the game runs smoothly even during peak player times. At the same time, it continuously updates the game content, including the introduction of new game levels, characters, items, etc. For instance, "MapleStory" regularly launches new classes, maps, and storyline quests to stimulate the exploration desire of veteran players and attract new players to join. Additionally, a professional customer service team has been established to promptly address player feedback issues, such as account security and in-game bugs, enhancing the player gaming experience. Building a Digital Entertainment Ecosystem: The company is committed to constructing a complete digital entertainment ecosystem. In addition to the gaming business, it is also involved in the development and sales of gaming peripheral products, collaboration with game live streaming platforms, and hosting esports events. In terms of gaming peripheral products, it has launched merchandise such as dolls, figures, clothing, and stationery related to its popular games, meeting fans' demand for game culture derivatives and further strengthening brand influence. By collaborating with well-known game live streaming platforms, it encourages streamers to broadcast games under Nexon, promoting the games through live streaming to increase their visibility and influence, attracting potential players. The company actively hosts or sponsors esports events for games like "MapleStory" and "Counter-Strike Online," providing a competitive stage for gaming experts, enhancing the competitiveness and watchability of the games, and attracting more esports enthusiasts.

In-game purchases: This is one of the main sources of profit. Many games under its banner set up in-game purchase items, such as virtual item purchases, character appearance customization, and paid unlocks for special game features or levels. Taking "MapleStory" as an example, players can pay to purchase costumes, pets, mounts, and other personalized items to enhance the uniqueness of their character's appearance; they can also buy experience boost items to speed up character leveling. In "Counter-Strike Online," players can pay to purchase powerful weapon skins, special characters, etc. These paid items do not affect game balance but can provide players with a better gaming experience and personalized display, thus attracting a large number of players to make purchases. Game subscription service: A subscription service model is launched for certain games. Players pay a certain subscription fee monthly or annually to enjoy specific benefits, such as an ad-free gaming experience, priority access to game updates, exclusive in-game items or perks, etc. Through the subscription service, the company can obtain a stable cash flow while increasing player loyalty to the game. Sales of game peripheral products: Leveraging the strong IP influence of its popular games, develop and sell a diverse range of game peripheral products. These peripheral products are sold globally through online official stores, authorized retail stores, and other channels. The sales of peripheral products not only bring direct revenue to the company but also further strengthen the game brand image, attracting more potential players to pay attention to the game. Advertising and Cooperation Revenue: Appropriately displaying advertisements within the game to provide a promotional platform for advertisers and generate advertising revenue. At the same time, collaborating with other brands and companies to conduct joint marketing activities. For example, partnering with a well-known beverage brand to launch events or items within the game that feature elements of that beverage brand, with the brand paying a cooperation fee. In addition, the company may also license its game IP to other enterprises for development in fields such as film, animation, and theme parks, generating IP licensing revenue.

In-game payments and subscription services: provide the company with a continuous and substantial source of income, supporting the ongoing research and development, operation, and maintenance of the game. By continuously updating paid content, stimulate players' desire to spend, meet players' personalized needs, enhance players' attachment and loyalty to the game, and promote the long-term stable operation of the game. Sales of game peripheral products: expanded profit channels and further explored the commercial value of game IP. As a carrier of game culture, peripheral products can deepen players' emotional identification with the game, while also attracting non-gamers' attention to the game, serving as a brand promotion tool and bringing new potential users to the development of the game business. Advertising and cooperation income: Increase additional revenue sources without affecting the core gaming experience of players. Achieve resource sharing and complementary advantages through collaboration with different brands, expand brand influence, and enhance the company's visibility in cross-industry fields.

Although Nexon primarily focuses on the gaming business, it announced in April 2021 that it had purchased $100 million worth of Bitcoin as a financial diversification operation. This move had a certain impact on Bitcoin (BTC) in the cryptocurrency market: Market confidence level: As a publicly listed company with high global recognition, Nexon's purchase of Bitcoin sends a signal of acknowledgment regarding the investment value of Bitcoin to the market. This may attract other investors, especially institutional investors, to pay attention to Bitcoin, enhancing market confidence in Bitcoin and subsequently affecting its market demand and price trends. On the level of capital flow: The inflow of 100 million dollars into the Bitcoin market has increased the amount of funds in the Bitcoin market. In the short term, it may have a certain impact on the market supply and demand relationship, driving fluctuations in Bitcoin prices. Although 100 million dollars is relatively small compared to the vast market size of Bitcoin, the demonstration effect of listed companies may trigger more capital inflows, resulting in a chain reaction on market liquidity and prices.