Key insights
- Nexon America is laying off workers to create a “Western Development Group” as part of a new strategy, according to a report.
- The company aims to hyperlocalize games for specific markets such as North America and Europe.
- Nexon has tried to diversify its gaming portfolio.
Nexonthe owner of games like Dave the diver And The first descendantThe company will reportedly make job cuts in its U.S. office. Headquartered in Japan, Nexon is an original South Korean developer-publisher that began operations back in 1994.
In recent years, a series of layoffs across the gaming industry have affected many people's livelihoods. Even market leaders like PlayStation have not been spared from the ongoing wave of layoffs. From small developers like Surgent Studios to established stakeholders like Insomniac Games, various types of gaming companies have borne the brunt of harsh economic conditions and the need for restructuring. The latest victim of this brutal wave appears to be one of Nexon's offices.
According to a report from Game Developer, Nexon America has laid off an undisclosed number of employees. The layoffs were due to The first descendant The creator's decision to launch a restructuring plan to support the creation of a “Western Development Group” under company veteran Hanbyeol Oh in Los Angeles, USA. While the exact number of those affected is not known, a spokesperson has reportedly confirmed that the job cuts will only affect a “small number” of employees. According to the statement shared with the source, those leaving the company have been offered severance pay, while Nexon America has begun hiring for new roles, including engineering and design, as part of the next phase of its plans.
Nexon is laying off employees at its US office as part of a new strategy
As the source reports, Nexon wants to prioritize hyperlocalization to better serve players in key markets such as North America and Europe. This move is part of CEO Junghun Lee's long-term strategy for IP growth, which gives importance to both new and existing franchises such as the influential companies MapleStory Series. At a recent event, they shared their vision for Nexon's future, which appears to be aimed at stimulating “snowball growth.”
Out of Dave the diver in 2023 until The first descendant In 2024, Nexon has made major additions in recent years to diversify its gaming portfolio. Earlier this year, Nexon made another notable business decision by fully acquiring its subsidiary studio and Dave the diver Developer Mintrocket advocates speeding up the development process. The recent call to restructure Nexon America and put together a local group for key markets seems like another way to shake things up to align with the CEO's strategy over the long term.
Nexon
- Founding date
- December 26, 1994
- headquarters
- Minato City, Tokyo, Japan
- Subsidiaries
- Big, huge games