Nexon appoints Patrick Soderlund as executive chairman

Nexon appoints Patrick Soderlund as executive chairman

Nexon Appoints Patrick Söderlund to Board of Directors
Nexon Co., Ltd. (NEXON) has confirmed the appointment of Patrick Söderlund as a board member, following shareholder approval in March 2019. The nomination aligns with Nexon's strategic investment in Swedish game developer Embark Studios AB, where Söderlund serves as CEO. This partnership reflects Nexon's broader effort to integrate Embark's expertise in cloud-based and AI-driven game development with Nexon's global publishing capabilities.

Söderlund, a veteran in the gaming industry, previously led DICE (developers of Battlefield) during its acquisition by Electronic Arts (EA) in 2006 and held executive roles at EA until 2018. His career spans roles in game design, studio management, and innovation in multiplayer mechanics. At Embark, he has overseen titles such as The Finals (2023) and Arc Raiders (2025), the latter of which became Nexon's most successful global launch, selling over 12.4 million copies since October 2025.

Nexon's investment in Embark, which culminated in full ownership by 2021, has positioned the publisher to leverage emerging technologies and Western development talent. CEO Junghun Lee emphasized Nexon's openness to further collaborations with Western studios, citing Arc Raiders' success as a catalyst for increased interest from European and North American developers.

Financially, Nexon reported third-quarter 2024 earnings of ¥23.7 billion ($208.44 million), a 4% year-over-year increase, driven by titles like Dungeon Fighter and MapleStory. The company's stock price has remained stable amid strategic shifts toward live-service models and AI integration, as highlighted by CEO Owen Mahoney's advocacy for AI-driven efficiency in game development.

Söderlund's board role underscores Nexon's commitment to bridging Eastern and Western gaming ecosystems while navigating industry-wide challenges in AAA development and monetization strategies. Investors will likely monitor the long-term impact of this partnership on Nexon's revenue diversification and market competitiveness.