Nexon pins hope on soccer game update

By Yoon Sung-won

Nexon Korea, the nation’s largest online game company, said Tuesday that it aims to raise the market share of its soccer game “FIFA Online 3” by up to 20 percent this winter.

Introducing a major update, the company said this will offer more content including a new player rating system, football club management mode and 11 additional legendary soccer players.

“We are looking to raise the weekly market share to 20 percent,” said Park Jeong-moo, Nexon’s FIFA Online 3 team manager during a press conference at the Nexon Arena in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul, Tuesday. “As the share frequently changes, we plan more special events for gamers at local Internet cafes.”

Nexon collaborates with Spearhead, a development studio of major global game firm Electronic Arts for FIFA Online 3.

The game has been one of the largest revenue sources for Nexon Korea. The company said in its regulatory filing for the third quarter that its domestic sales rose 64 percent thanks to the popularity of the soccer game, whose accumulated sales are estimated at over 200 billion won ($180.26 million won).

According to Gametrix, a local market researcher specialized in online games’ market share at local Internet cafes, FIFA Online 3 ranked third with 9.64 percent. Nexon’s shooting game “Sudden Attack” with 9.98 percent is in second, following Riot Games’ strategy game “League of Legends” on top with 36.51 percent as of Tuesday.

Alongside the update, Nexon said it will organize multiple rounds of a FIFA Online 3 championship to expand the e-Sports events for the soccer game next year. It wants to encourage participation by more diverse game fans, from ordinary gamers to high-skilled professional players.

The company also said it will provide accommodation and incentives to the top 12 players who will play tournament matches in the finals of the championship.