“We can’t wait to unveil our new title with Nexon America – we’re confident it’s going to be a smash hit.” (image: Nexon America Press)
LOS ANGELES & VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 25, 2014 (Korea Bizwire)–Nexon America today announced it has entered into a publishing agreement with United Front Games, the Vancouver-based independent development studio behind the highly successful open-world action-adventure game Sleeping Dogs. Under the terms of the agreement, Nexon America will serve as the exclusive publisher for United Front Games’ upcoming free-to-play title expected in 2015. Additional terms of the partnership were not disclosed.
“Nexon brings an unparalleled wealth of knowledge of the growing free-to-play market. We are thrilled to partner with a publisher who has an excellent track record of building direct and meaningful relationships with players,” said Stephen van der Mescht, chief executive officer of United Front Games. “We can’t wait to unveil our new title with Nexon America – we’re confident it’s going to be a smash hit.”
United Front Games was founded in 2007 by former members of several leading studios, including Electronic Arts, Rockstar Vancouver and Radical Entertainment. The company has seen significant critical and commercial success with titles including ModNation Racers, Sleeping Dogs and Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition.
“We are committed to bringing a new line-up of AAA-quality free-to-play games to the Western market, and our partnership with United Front Games is another step toward achieving this goal,” said Owen Mahoney, president and chief executive officer of Nexon. “United Front Games’ team has a great track record of developing successful titles, and we’re looking forward to showing the world what our combined strengths can create in 2015.”
Nexon continues to advance its strategic initiative of expanding its presence in the free-to-play market by partnering with world-class developers to bring quality games to Western audiences. The first product to market will be the upcoming online shooter Dirty Bomb, from London-based Splash Damage, which will launch later this year. Nexon’s recent announcements include a partnership with Robert Bowling’s Robotoki to publish the highly-anticipated Human Element in 2015; a minority stake in Brian Reynolds’ SecretNewCo and worldwide publishing rights to the company’s first game; and an exclusive worldwide, multi-product, multi-year publishing deal with John Schappert’s Shiver Entertainment.
About Nexon America, Inc. http://www.nexon.net
Nexon America, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NEXON Co., Ltd. (“Nexon”) (3659.TO) a worldwide leader in free-to-play online games. Based in Los Angeles, Nexon America was founded in 2005 to bring the best of online entertainment to the North American audience. The company’s growing library of titles includes fan-favorites MapleStory, the classic side-scrolling MMORPG, and Vindictus, an action-packed combat MMO. Upcoming titles from Nexon America include Splash Damage’s multiplayer online first-person shooter Dirty Bomb and Robotoki’s open-world first-person survival game Human Element.
About United Front Games http://www.unitedfrontgames.com/
Founded in 2007, United Front Games creates high quality games and original IP on many platforms. The studio has shipped critically acclaimed titles such as, ModNation Racers, LittleBigPlanet Karting, Sleeping Dogs and Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition. United Front Games is located in Vancouver, Canada.
Source: Nexon America, Inc. & United Front Games (via BusinessWire)
