Nexon Secures Overwatch Mobile Distribution Rights for Korea & Japan

Nexon Secures Overwatch Mobile Distribution Rights for Korea & Japan, Partners with Blizzard on New StarCraft Game

According to an exclusive report by South Korean media outlet MTN, Blizzard Entertainment has officially appointed Nexon as the publisher for Overwatch Mobile in Korea and Japan. More notably, the two companies have established a strategic partnership to co-develop a new game based on the StarCraft IP. This marks Blizzard’s first deep collaboration with a South Korean gaming company.

Sources indicate that since Q4 2022, Blizzard has been seeking proposals from major Korean game firms, bundling the development rights for StarCraft IP across multiple platforms with the distribution rights for Overwatch Mobile in Korea and Japan. The partnership extends beyond game development—covering genres such as RPGs and shooters—to include global publishing rights. Industry experts suggest that this deal presents a dual opportunity for Korean gaming companies: expanding their global footprint while monetizing one of gaming’s most iconic IPs. Nexon ultimately prevailed over international competitors with its “IP Ecosystem Development Plan,” leveraging its proven track record with global hits like Dungeon & Fighter (DNF).

Analysts note that regardless of the outcome, this collaboration will serve as a milestone in the globalization of South Korea’s gaming industry, significantly boosting its influence in the global market.

About Nexon
Founded in Seoul in 1994 by Kim Jung-ju, Nexon is a leading force in Asia’s gaming industry, relocating its headquarters to Tokyo in 2005 while remaining under the holding company NXC, based in Jeju, South Korea. As both a developer and publisher, Nexon is behind iconic titles such as MapleStory, KartRider, and Dungeon & Fighter, with operations spanning over 20 countries.

Nexon has deep roots in the Chinese market, initially gaining traction with Bubble Fighter (Crazy Arcade) and KartRider before achieving record-breaking success with DNF, which generates over $4 billion in annual revenue. In March 2023, Nexon renewed its partnership with Tencent to further develop the DNF IP, combining resources to strengthen its position in China.