Founder Of Company Behind Popular Childhood Online Game 'MapleStory' Dies At 54
Rest in peace.
By May Vin Ang — 03 Mar 2022, 02:24 PM
Kim Jung-ju, the founder of South Korean gaming company Nexon, has passed away at the age of 54
According to The Korea Herald, Nexon's holding company NXC said Kim died in Hawaii in the United States on Monday, 28 February.
"Morning in grief, Nexon mourns the unexpected death of the famous founder, Jay Kim Jung-ju, who died in February," read the statement.
The company did not disclose a cause of death. He had reportedly been undergoing treatment for depression.
Kim founded Nexon in 1994 and pioneered one of the world's first multiplayer online role-playing games, The Kingdom of the Winds
According to Game News 24, the company also later showcased popular hit titles such as KartRider, Mabinogi, and Dungeon & Fighter.
Nexon also launched one of the world's most famous games, MapleStory, in 2003.
Now, Nexon is the largest gaming company in South Korea with a market capitalisation of USD27 billion (RM113 billion).
Kim officially became the third richest man in the country with a total net worth of USD10.9 billion (RM46 billion) in 2021.
The billionaire is survived by his wife and two teenage daughters.
