Nexon Group Announces Strategic Partnership with PlayFusion, A Connected Play Platform Company
Proprietary PlayFusion Technology Connects Virtual Game Worlds to the Real World, Enabling New and Engaging User Experiences
TOKYO – March 2, 2017 – NEXON Co., Ltd. (3659.TO) (“Nexon”), a global leader in online games for PC and mobile, today announced its consolidated subsidiary, NEXON Korea Corporation, has entered into a strategic partnership with PlayFusion Limited (“PlayFusion”). The partnership is expected to generate opportunities for players to engage more deeply with virtual characters and worlds, including via character packs and accessories.
PlayFusion, founded in 2015 by the former management team of U.K.-based PC online game company Jagex Games Studio, is an innovative game company operating in the Toys-to-Life genre, which uses Augmented Reality and Internet of Things technologies to connect toys with games. The Toys-to-Life market was about 3 billion USD in 2015, and is expected to grow to about 9 billion USD by 2018(*).
PlayFusion develops connected play experiences to facilitate deeper player engagement through unprecedented interactions between real and virtual worlds. The partnership between Nexon and PlayFusion will allow the companies to deliver these types of unique experiences to gamers, including using the technology to scan real-world action figures and character cards that then appear onscreen and become part of in-game experiences.
“This is an exciting partnership that will make games even more dynamic and fun,” said Nexon President and Chief Executive Officer Owen Mahoney. “Combining PlayFusion’s expertise in connecting games to action figures and accessories with Nexon’s ability to create and sustain games that grow over many years will allow us to deliver a deeper, more engaging experience for players.”
“PlayFusion is truly honored to be working with Nexon, a globally-respected online game powerhouse that recognizes the value and potential of our transmedia entertainment platform,” said Mark Gerhard, CEO and Co-Founder of PlayFusion. “We continue to work together with our partners to drive deeper consumer engagement by seamlessly connecting many traditionally disparate industries such as film and television, publishing, toys and games, and consumer products. Together, we’ll create the future of connected interactive entertainment.”
Nexon and PlayFusion’s specific project details will be announced in due course.
(*) https://techcrunch.com/2016/02/15/the-serious-business-of-play/
About NEXON Co., Ltd. http://company.nexon.co.jp/
NEXON Co., Ltd. (“Nexon”) (3659.TO) is a global leader in online games for PC and mobile. Founded in Korea in 1994, Nexon developed one of the world’s first graphics-based massively multiplayer online games. Nexon also pioneered the concept of microtransactions and the free-to-play business model, setting a new standard in which play is free, and users have the option to purchase in-game items to enhance their experience. Nexon currently services over 100 titles in more than 190 countries. The Company is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan and its shares are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
About PlayFusion Limited http://PlayFusion.com/#PlayFusion
PlayFusion is an independent, employee-owned, game and technology developer with studios in the U.K. and USA that is pioneering the future of mixed media connected play. PlayFusion’s proprietary technology platform uniquely fuses video games, robotics, toys, and transmedia entertainment for game developers, toy manufacturers, and other content and brand owners. PlayFusion recently unveiled their new original IP based game Lightseekers coming in 2017 along with toys and trading cards from master toy licensee TOMY. PlayFusion’s technology, incorporated in the upcoming Lightseekers game, was awarded the Best in Show award at the New York Toy Fair 2017 by Techlicious.
