LOS ANGELES – MAY 1, 2017 – NEXON Co., Ltd. (“Nexon”) (3659.TO), a worldwide leader in online games, today announced its wholly owned subsidiary, Nexon America Inc. (“Nexon America”) has entered into an ongoing relationship with First Strike Games, a game studio formed last year to specialize in multiplayer experiences. Nexon has acquired the worldwide publishing and marketing rights to First Strike Games’ first title, an unannounced multiplayer online game
“Partnering with First Strike Games is another example of our focus on and commitment to working with the best development talent in the Western market,” said Owen Mahoney, president and CEO, Nexon. “This partnership will leverage First Strike Games’ passion and unbeatable background in multiplayer games and our deep expertise in online services to build innovative games that appeal to global tastes and engage communities of players that will stand the test of time.”
Founded in 2016, First Strike Games is a new studio formed by industry vets with strong pedigree in AAA game development across a broad range of multiplayer genres and led by CEO Kevin Franklin whose over a decade of experience in the industry includes 343 Industries (Microsoft) and EA Blackbox.
“We are super focused on competitive multiplayer games at First Strike,” said Kevin Franklin, CEO, First Strike Games. “In Nexon, we found a partner who has truly understood the gameplay we are exploring, has embraced our company vision and has contributed great ideas and expertise. We are looking forward to making amazing games together.”
First Strike Games joins a growing roster of renowned Western developers that have partnered with Nexon, including Cliff Bleszinski’s Boss Key Productions on its first title LawBreakers and Dallas Dickinson’s QC Games on its unnounced first title.
First Strike Games is currently entering full production on the new game by growing its team from 30 to over 50 developers. The yet unannounced title is expected to have broad appeal, with an E10+ rating, with more details to be announced later this year.
About First Strike Games – http://www.firststrikegames.com
First Strike Games is a game studio located in Bellevue, Washington. Founded in 2016, the company’s mission is to create gameplay focused multiplayer experiences and online services on PC and Console. The studio consists of over 30 developers with a pedigree of working on major releases from companies like Microsoft, Bethesda and Sony. First Strike Games is currently in development of their first IP and game with an unannounced release date.
About Nexon America Inc. – http://www.nexon.net
Nexon America Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NEXON Co., Ltd. (“Nexon”) (3659.TO) a worldwide leader in online games. Based in Los Angeles, Nexon America was founded in 2005 to bring the best of online entertainment to the North American audience. The company’s growing library of titles includes fan-favorites MapleStory, the classic side-scrolling MMORPG, and Vindictus, an action-packed combat MMO. New titles now in open beta include Riders of Icarus, a mount-taming MMO that allows players to fly and fight on the backs of dragons; and First Assault, a first-person shooter based on the critically acclaimed “Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex” IP. Upcoming titles from Nexon America include LawBreakers, a Steam exclusive and the first title from Cliff Bleszinski’s studio Boss Key Productions; and an unannounced title from QC Games.
