So, here we go again! Tencent, the Chinese tech behemoth, is back at it, eyeing South Korea’s Nexon like a hawk. I mean, who wouldn’t want to buy a game developer? It’s like trying to buy a piece of the moon! 🌕
According to some mysterious Bloomberg sources—because, you know, they can’t just say who they are—Tencent has reached out to the family of Nexon’s late founder, Kim Jung-ju. They’re exploring a potential deal. But let’s be real, no one’s signed anything yet. It’s like a first date where you both just stare at the menu and no one orders. Awkward! 😬
Now, Kim’s family, who owns a controlling stake in Nexon through their investment firm NXC Corp, is weighing their options. You know, like deciding between a salad or a burger. As of June 30, they held a whopping 44.4% of Nexon. And get this, Kim’s wife and daughters control about 67.6% of NXC. Talk about family business! 🍔
Nexon, founded in 1994 and now chilling in Japan, is famous for the MapleStory franchise. You know, the game that sucked away your childhood? They went public in Tokyo in 2011, and it was one of those big tech IPOs. Their shares have gained over 10% in 2025, but they’re still about 30% below their 2021 peak. Ouch! 📉
And let’s not forget, Nexon has launched a Web3 subsidiary called NEXPACE. They’re throwing $100 million at this blockchain thing like it’s confetti at a wedding. NEXPACE is based in Abu Dhabi, but they’re all about turning Nexon’s games into blockchain-enabled ecosystems. Because why not? 🎉
Under NEXPACE, they’ve introduced MapleStory Universe, which is basically a gateway to Web3 for the MapleStory IP. Their first big release, MapleStory N, went live in May 2025. It’s got NFT-based item mechanics, gasless transactions, and a native token economy powered by NXPC. Sounds fancy, right? But is it really necessary? 🤔
Oh, and this isn’t Tencent’s first rodeo with Nexon. They tried to strike a deal back in 2019, but it fell apart over pricing disagreements. Classic! It’s like haggling over the price of a used car. 🚗
But wait, there’s more! Tencent and Nexon have a history. They co-developed Dungeon & Fighter, which has been a cash cow for Tencent. So, they’re not total strangers. It’s like that ex you can’t quite shake off. 😅
Tencent is trying to expand its presence in blockchain gaming, even though the sector is taking a nosedive. DappRadar says daily active users in blockchain gaming hit new lows in April. It’s like watching a slow-motion train wreck. 🚂💥
And beyond gaming, Tencent is throwing money around in the blockchain space. Last year, they led a $15 million Series A round for Chainbase. They’re also partnering with the Open Network (TON) Foundation to support blockchain infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region. It’s like they’re trying to be the cool kid on the blockchain block. 😎
Last year, Tencent even joined China’s official metaverse working group. Because, of course, they want to be part of the metaverse party! 🎊
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2025-06-13 09:54