Nexon is preparing tougher cuts after a senior official reportedly warned that the company must overhaul its business with its survival into 2028 at stake. The warning comes as ARC Raiders passes 17 million sales and the publisher reports growing revenue and profit.
The Korea Economic Daily reported on November 10 that an unnamed senior Nexon official said management was approaching the overhaul with the resolve that the company could disappear the year after next unless it changed everything. The newspaper reports that Nexon’s 2027 strategy calls for more projects and businesses to be restructured than this year.
Successful Games, Tougher Spending Decisions
Nexon’s quarterly announcement released the same day shows why that warning is so striking. Alongside ARC Raiders’ sales milestone, Dave the Diver passed 10 million copies in September. The MapleStory and FC franchises helped lift third-quarter revenue to ¥138.4 billion, up 17% year over year. Operating income rose 11% to ¥41.8 billion.
October’s Frozen Trail update also brought lapsed ARC Raiders players back and generated new sales, according to Nexon. Industry analyst MauroNL highlighted that assessment alongside the 17-million milestone. The game is still giving its publisher reasons to invest in its future.
Across the wider company, management is making a tougher call about which projects get that investment. Hits are bringing money in while other teams face the prospect of losing their work.
More Than 300 Employees Reportedly Await Assignments
The Korean newspaper reports that Nexon has discontinued eight projects or services this year and plans to apply harsher criteria next year. More than 300 employees across Nexon Korea, Neople and Nexon Games are reportedly awaiting assignments.
The report says some individual companies have urged long-term unassigned employees to resign. Nexon has not operated a formal group-wide voluntary retirement program, according to the newspaper.
It also reports that Nexon intends to hold next year’s personnel spending at this year’s level, keeping hiring tight as it reviews where to put its resources.
Nexon Has Already Set Out Its Cost Reset
The direction was visible before today’s report. In its March 2026 capital markets briefing, Nexon described reviewing functions according to whether they directly help make or run games. It cited ¥800 billion in cash at the time and set out plans to redirect spending toward projects with stronger prospects.
The March presentation also said headcount requests would be rejected when they could not be tied directly to making or running games.
