Nexon names Patrick Söderlund Executive Chairman to change game growth from February 20, 2026

Nexon's new Executive Chairman, Patrick Söderlund, will lead global strategy. This is a big change for the company's future games.
By Newsroom | Gaming, Business |

Nexon, a major global online games company, has appointed Patrick Söderlund as its new Executive Chairman. This move places Söderlund, the founder and CEO of Nexon subsidiary Embark Studios, in a key leadership role. The company states this appointment is to "accelerate global strategy, transform creative direction, and lead the next phase of growth." Söderlund will also continue his duties as CEO of Embark Studios, the team behind the recently successful game Arc Raiders.

Nexon snaps up Arc Raiders' Patrick Söderlund as executive chairman to "lead the next phase of growth" for the company - 1

Background and Context

The appointment follows a period where Nexon has sought to expand its influence beyond its traditional strengths in mobile and casual games. While the company has enjoyed sustained popularity with titles like MapleStory, it has faced challenges in capturing a significant share of the live-service game market. The critical and commercial success of Dave the Diver in 2023, developed by Nexon's subsidiary Mintrocket, highlighted a renewed focus on innovative game development. Concurrently, Nexon has been addressing a significant duplication glitch that impacted some of its titles, completing an investigation into its causes and offender management.

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Nexon snaps up Arc Raiders' Patrick Söderlund as executive chairman to "lead the next phase of growth" for the company - 2

Evidence of Appointment and Mandate

Official announcements confirm the decision.

  • Nexon Co., Ltd. (3659.TO) announced the appointment on its Board of Directors.

  • Söderlund's new role grants him "broad authority over the company’s long-term strategy, creative direction, and how Nexon develops games globally."

  • He will be working "closely with [Nexon] CEO Junghun Lee and the executive leadership team."

  • Söderlund has stated, "I'm ready to get to work."

Strategic Implications and Creative Direction

Söderlund's elevation appears linked to the success of Arc Raiders.

Nexon snaps up Arc Raiders' Patrick Söderlund as executive chairman to "lead the next phase of growth" for the company - 3

  • The success of Arc Raiders reportedly "elevated Embark Studios’ reputation and motivated Nexon’s leadership."

  • Nexon aims to "transform creative direction" under Söderlund's guidance.

  • His appointment suggests a deliberate effort to leverage Embark's recent positive momentum and Söderlund's leadership experience.

Söderlund's Dual Role

The decision to maintain Söderlund's position at Embark Studios alongside his new executive chairmanship is notable.

Nexon snaps up Arc Raiders' Patrick Söderlund as executive chairman to "lead the next phase of growth" for the company - 4

  • Söderlund "will also continue on as CEO of Embark."

  • This structure implies a belief that his leadership is vital for both the subsidiary's ongoing development and the parent company's broader strategic initiatives.

Financial and Operational Stability

The success of Arc Raiders has had a clear impact on Embark Studios.

  • Reports indicate that the game's popularity has provided Embark with "financial security and employment stability."

  • While specific budgets are not publicly detailed, estimates for Arc Raiders' development costs suggest a significant investment that has seemingly yielded positive returns, securing the studio's operational footing.

Expert Analysis

Industry observers note the significance of this appointment for Nexon's global aspirations.

"Patrick Söderlund's appointment as Executive Chairman is a pivotal moment for Nexon, signaling a strong commitment to enhancing its global strategy and creative output. His proven track record, particularly with the success of Embark Studios and Arc Raiders, positions him to potentially invigorate Nexon's approach to game development and market expansion."

  • The appointment suggests a shift in focus towards live-service and creative innovation.

  • Söderlund's broad mandate indicates Nexon's trust in his vision for future growth.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The appointment of Patrick Söderlund as Executive Chairman signifies a strategic pivot for Nexon. With a mandate to oversee long-term strategy and creative direction, his leadership is expected to build upon the recent success of Embark Studios and Arc Raiders. This move appears designed to bolster Nexon's position in the competitive global gaming market, particularly in the live-service sector, while also navigating ongoing operational challenges. Söderlund's continued leadership of Embark Studios suggests an integrated approach to driving growth across the company's diverse portfolio.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is Patrick Söderlund and what is his new job at Nexon starting February 20, 2026?
Patrick Söderlund, who started Embark Studios and its game Arc Raiders, is now the Executive Chairman of Nexon. He will lead the company's global plans and how it makes games.
Q: Why did Nexon appoint Patrick Söderlund as Executive Chairman on February 20, 2026?
Nexon appointed him to speed up its global strategy, change how it creates games, and lead the company's next growth phase. The success of his game Arc Raiders helped make this decision.
Q: Will Patrick Söderlund still lead Embark Studios after becoming Nexon's Executive Chairman on February 20, 2026?
Yes, he will continue to be the CEO of Embark Studios while also being the Executive Chairman of Nexon. This shows Nexon trusts his leadership for both the studio and the main company.
Q: How does the success of Arc Raiders affect Nexon's decision on February 20, 2026?
The success of Arc Raiders made Embark Studios more popular and gave it financial safety. This success motivated Nexon's leaders to give Söderlund a bigger role to help grow the company.
Q: What does Patrick Söderlund's new role mean for Nexon's future games?
His role gives him power over the company's long-term plans and creative ideas for making games worldwide. Nexon wants to focus more on new ideas and live-service games, like Arc Raiders.