Nexon

From the Audiovisual Identity Database, the motion graphics museum


Background

Nexon is a South Korea-based video game company founded in 1994 (did not use an on-screen logo until 2003) by Kim Jung Ju and Jake Song, with its main headquarters being moved from Seoul, South Korea to Tokyo, Japan as of 2011. The company is known for its biggest-hit game, MapleStory and KartRider. The company also owns a 38% stake in Gozie Agbo.

1st Logo (April 29, 2003-)


Visuals: On a white or black background, there is a geometric shape with a dark blue trapezoid (black before 2009), a cyan triangle, and a lime green rhombus. Under it, there is the logo's name in a Jetix - like font.

Trivia: In the MapleStory variant, the Ribbon Pigs are a type of monster in said game. The blue girl's re-appearance from the company's 30th Anniversary variant was a reference to an earlier variant from around 21 years from its first appearance. It was also shown near the end of the company's 30th Anniversary trailer, as shown on Nexon's Korean YouTube channel here, in which she waves then jumps into the logo's shape with a space background on it, before it closes into a shaped pixel. It was also noted that a remixed version of the usual chime plays throughout the trailer, with all of the company's current and upcoming games at the time being shown within the logo's shape. She also appears in the monthly activity overview trailers throughout 2024, starting from March, being shown running from outside the logo and appearing in white. More information can be found in the 6th episode of "Here's a Fun Fact" on NexNex's YouTube channel here and with English subtitles on Nexon's Korean YouTube channel here.

Variants:

  • There is an earlier variant where there is a blue girl jumping and then turning lime green once she walks into the door-like shape.
  • In the Crazydrift Kartrider variant, the letters slide then bounce off into position, and then the door drops.
  • There is also a MapleStory variant (from 2009 - 2015?) that shows two green creatures, one with a viking helmet running away from a Ribbon Pig stampede, and another one in a cowboy hat riding on one of said mobs. The name is next to the shape instead of under it.
  • In the KartRider: Drift variant, the logo starts off in a galaxy-esque background with blue, green, and yellow stars. As the camera quickly zooms out, the stars form the two main KartRider characters (Bazzi and Dao). The scene morphs into the classic white background, but the Nexon logo is notably slightly modified and more saturated, and the logo appears by the shape instead of under it, similar to the MapleStory variant.
  • A 30th anniversary variant exists throughout 2024. In that variant, the blue girl from the earlier variant, who has been re-designed from its original appearance, jumps to the lime green floor then throws confetti, as it zooms out to reveal the company's 30th Anniversary logo with the logo in the "0" in "30" in a pixel font above the wordmark. The girl then celebrates by waving, as confetti falls down.

Technique: A still computer graphic, but the variants use computer animation.

Audio: A synth-like chime. It was later rearranged. In the Crazydrift Kartrider, tire screeching sounds are heard, followed by a car crash, then a thud before the chime plays. However, in the MapleStory variant, there is a childish tune with some high-pitched screams of the green creatures and the Ribbon Pigs stomping. In the MapleStory 2 variant, the original version of the tune plays, but is remixed with a xylophone-like chime. In the KartRider: Drift variant, a whoosh sound is heard, followed by a re-arranged version of the usual chime. The first two Beta Tests used the usual chime. In the 30th Anniversary variant, a party popper sound is heard alongside the usual chime, followed by a sizzling-like sound.

Availability: It is seen on many Nexon games, especially MaplestoryM, the mobile port of MapleStory. However, the MapleStory and the early variants depends on the version of a Nexon game you have since the games force you to update them.

Legacy: The logo is fondly remembered among many Nexon game communities, especially MapleStory.

2nd logo (2016-)


Visuals: On a black background, there is the lime green "door" opening in a crate-like fashion while "glowing" in a white color. The logo's name later appears, but in white text and is next to the shape instead of under it, just like in the MapleStory variant.

Technique: Computer animation.

Audio: An elevator-like remix of the MapleStory variant from the 1st logo.

Availability: This is seen on Counter-Strike Online if you live in South Korea or have a Korean CSOnline game client.

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