EMERYVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NEXON Co., Ltd. (“Nexon”) (3659.TO), a worldwide leader in free-to-play online and mobile games, and independent videogame developer Respawn Entertainment announced today that the companies have partnered to create several new and original smartphone and tablet games based on the expansive sci-fi universe of Titanfall. In connection with the partnership, the two companies jointly invested in mobile game developer Particle City, the studio leading the development of the upcoming titles. In this multi-game, multi-year partnership, Nexon will serve as the exclusive global publisher of the Titanfall mobile games, with the first game expected to be released worldwide on iOS and Android in 2016.
“As a player and fan of Titanfall I am delighted to be working with the talented team at Respawn to bring the world of Titanfall to mobile and tablet,” commented Owen Mahoney, President and Chief Executive Officer, Nexon. “Working closely with our partners at Respawn and Particle City we intend to build on the original game’s success and introduce millions of mobile gamers to the rich Titanfall universe.”
The collaboration with Respawn and Particle City is Nexon’s latest in a series of global partnerships with renowned developers. Recently, Nexon announced a partnership with Respawn and Electronic Arts to bring a PC online version of the award-winning first-person shooter Titanfall to Asia. In April 2015, Nexon published the hit mobile strategy game DomiNations, which was developed by Big Huge Games, an independent studio co-founded by 24-year industry veterans Brian Reynolds and Tim Train, famous for online strategy games Civilization II and Rise of Nations. Nexon also recently announced the details of LawBreakers, the first game from Cliff Bleszinski and Arjan Brussee’s Boss Key Productions.
“Our partnership with Nexon is momentous for many reasons,” said Vince Zampella, CEO & Co-Founder, Respawn Entertainment. “Nexon’s unrivaled publishing network and free-to-play expertise will allow Titanfall to reach new global audiences. And with Particle City, we are closely collaborating to create all-new standalone games with original gameplay experiences that expand the Titanfall universe to players everywhere.”
Particle City was co-founded by industry veteran Larry Pacey and Respawn CEO Vince Zampella in 2015. The new developer will be led by Pacey, with Zampella serving in a creative advisor role. Particle City, co-located with Respawn in Los Angeles, is currently hiring top talent. Candidates can find a list of open positions at www.particlecity.com.
Through the partnership, Nexon and Respawn will build on Titanfall’s premier franchise to deliver a high-quality game experience to the $30 billion mobile gaming market, the largest gaming platform globally. Praised as an evolution of the first-person shooter genre, Titanfall was the most-awarded game of E3 2013, earning more than 100 nominations and 60-plus wins, including a record-breaking six E3 Critics’ Awards. The title was the third highest-rated Xbox One game released in 2014, according to videogame review score aggregator Metacritic.
About NEXON Co., Ltd.
NEXON Co., Ltd. (“Nexon”) (3659.TO) is a worldwide leader in free-to-play online and mobile games. Founded in Korea in 1994, Nexon developed one of the world's first graphics-based massively multiplayer online games. Nexon also pioneered the concept of micro-transactions and the free-to-play business model, setting a new standard in which play is free, and users have the option to purchase in-game items to enhance their experience. Nexon currently services nearly 150 titles in more than 150 countries. The Company is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan and its shares are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
About Respawn Entertainment
Founded in 2010, Respawn Entertainment is an independent videogame development studio based in Van Nuys, California. The studio was formed by Vince Zampella and Jason West, former co-founders of Infinity Ward and two of the co-creators of the multibillion-dollar franchise CALL OF DUTY™. Titanfall is the studio’s debut title. More information about the company is available at www.respawn.com.
About Particle City
Particle City is a mobile game developer located in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California. Formed by industry veterans Vince Zampella and Larry Pacey, the company is backed by Respawn Entertainment and Nexon to create original mobile games built around a strong player community and competition. For more information please visit www.particlecity.com and follow Particle City on Facebook and Twitter.
