Tencent, a leading Chinese technology and holding conglomerate with a global presence, is reportedly considering acquiring game developer and publisher Nexon, according to a Bloomberg report.

The Chinese tech giant contacted members of Nexon founder Kim Jung-ju’s family to discuss potential terms for a deal. However, the sources acknowledged no definitive terms have been agreed upon, and a transaction remains contingent.

Nexon is the creator of the globally popular MapleStory massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) series, which gained substantial traction in the early 2000s.

Web3 Gaming: A Key Motivation

Web3 gaming represents a significant area of interest for major tech players. This sector is viewed as a pivotal use case for blockchain technology. Proponents argue that granting players genuine ownership over in-game assets could establish a new asset class worth tens of billions of dollars.

Solidifying Web3 Integration: MapleStory Leaps

Nexon is actively integrating Web3 principles into its portfolio. Already in May 2025, the company rolled out blockchain capabilities in two iterations of its flagship MapleStory franchise: MapleStory N and MapleStory Universe. These versions enable players to collect in-game items and rewards represented as non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

The Ascending and Volatile Trajectory of Web3 Gaming

DappRadar data from February 2025 indicated substantial year-over-year growth in blockchain gaming activity for January. A surge, approximately 368%, cited games like Off The Grid and the highly anticipated MapleStory N as primary drivers.

Related: MapleStory Revives Avalanche, Tops 1M Daily Transactions Twice in a Week

High-End Graphics Signal a New Era?

Off The Grid, a AAA console-quality shooter published by Gunzilla Games (a Silver Oak Entertainment title), exemplifies a shift within the crypto gaming sphere. The title features sophisticated graphics and gameplay aligning with mainstream entertainment standards.

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This approach marks a notable departure from earlier Web3 games, which often relied on simplistic mechanics, cartoon visuals, and token accumulation as primary incentives.

Despite Hype, Challenges Loom Large

However, the broader crypto gaming sector faced headwinds by late 2024/early 2025. According to DappRadar, Web3 gaming activity decreased by around 10% in February 2025, indicated by a decline in daily unique active wallets.

Industry analysts point to several key impediments to mass adoption of Web3 gaming: persistent technical hurdles associated with blockchain wallets, usability friction, and the broader gaming community’s reservation towards play-to-earn models.

Magazine: Can Off The Grid Survive Steam’s Crypto Ban? Rage Over Maplestory Cheaters: Web3 Gamer