Nexon Korea acquires U.S. game developer

Nexon Korea, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Nexon, a major player in the Asian gaming market, has acquired U.S.-based Big Huge Games for an undisclosed fee in a move to expand its global footprint.

“Combining Big Huge Games’ skilled workforce and game development capabilities with Nexon’s global publishing expertise will enable us to consistently provide DomiNations players with fresh content and engaging experiences in the long term,” the company said.

Prior to the acquisition, the two companies worked together to create the mobile strategy game DomiNations after forging partnership. The game has attracted over 19 million downloads worldwide since launching in April 2015.

The positive outcome from the game laid the foundation for the buyout of the U.S. studio, officials at Big Huge Games said.

This is the latest merger and acquisition deal by Nexon Korea, which has sought to accelerate its global expansion through an array of tie-ups amid slowing domestic game market and intensifying competition with global companies, especially Chinese peers.

With this deal, the game publishing powerhouse has bought three overseas companies so far -- including Japan’s inBlue and Gloops in 2012. It also took over local studios such as online role-paying game MapleStory’s developer Wizet, Neople and Entelligent.

Originally founded in Korea, Nexon, which is currently based in Japan, posted sales of 113.2 billion yen ($998.5 million) in 2015, up 5.3 percent from a year earlier as the firm’s mobile sales surged 22.8 percent in that period.

By Park Han-na (hnpark@heraldcorp.com)