The games will stay the same, but the way you experience them and share them with friends while not playing will change drastically once Nexon completes the rollout for BlockParty. In the works for several years, BlockParty will wrap Nexon's stable of free-to-play online games in a robust social networking website.

Players will be able to view a play feed of in-game accomplishments, share their thoughts and moods with friends, manage contacts, show off their avatars, and establish an online identity that is closely linked to the games they play.

"BlockParty will be one part games, one part portal with a twist of social networking. Nexon America's goal for BlockParty is to create the biggest online party with great games and awesome gamers," said Min Kim, Nexon America's vice president of marketing. "BlockParty will allow Nexon to better serve our players by extending the community experience to a central web-based communication hub. BlockParty will also make it easier for players to access Nexon's growing list of games, and at the same time, allow them to share their online gaming adventures with their friends."

Nexon is currently testing and tweaking BlockParty and will continue to do so through the remainder of the year. Those interested in a preview can visit www.Nexon.net and click on the little BlockParty critters at the top of the page.

Nexon America's revenue for August was up 32% over the previous year, and if the company's celebratory press release is any indication, Combat Arms had a lot to do with its "explosive growth". Since Combat Arms launched in July 2008, Nexon has updated the title on a regular basis, adding in new game modes like Quarantine and Fireteam, aping modes in popular retail releases to tremendous effect.

"We have worked extremely hard to make sure that our players get new, fun and interesting content delivered as frequently as possible," said Min Kim, Nexon America's vice president of marketing. "The progress we have made with Combat Arms is significant, substantial and added a great deal to the outstanding summer success for Nexon America."

Nexon continues to grow Combat Arms, recently adding new zombie maps to the Quarantine mode and a new mercenary character modeled after a movie action hero, and I can't see them stopping anytime soon. You can almost rest assured that if a new FPS game type becomes popular, Combat Arms will get a free version of it eventually. It's a business model that work - just ask those three million users. Visit the Combat Arms website if you're interested in becoming one of them.

Look, none of this is really all that important. The important thing here is that if I don't get a Maple Story 7-eleven cup, someone is going to die. Statistically speaking someone is going to die anyway, but getting a collector's cup with a cute little pirate standing on a mushroom on its surface would assure everyone that I wasn't directly involved.

Nexon and 7-Eleven® Launch ‘Where You Play for Free’ Slurpee® and Online Games Campaign

Millions Can Instantly Experience Nexon’s Free, High-Quality Online Games via Redeemable Codes on Branded Slurpee® Cups and Game DVD Giveaways

LOS ANGELES—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Nexon America, a world leader in massively multiplayer online (MMO) games, and 7-Eleven, Inc. have kicked off the “Where You Play for Free” Slurpee® drink campaign in the U.S. to introduce and promote the world of free-to-play online games.

The promotion, running now through Dec. 31 in more than 5,600 participating U.S. 7-Eleven® stores, includes four Nexon-branded 22-oz. Slurpee cups, each featuring different eye-popping images from Nexon’s games: MapleStory, Mabinogi, Combat Arms and Sugar Rush.

7-Eleven customers also receive a collectible Nexon game DVD with the purchase of a 22-oz. or larger-size Slurpee beverage while supplies last. The DVD features the four Nexon games on the branded cups so users can easily download these games onto their PC.

Each Nexon-themed Slurpee cup has an exclusive game code that is redeemable for customized 7-Eleven and Slurpee-branded in-game virtual items in the four games. The game code also provides 7-Eleven customers access to participate in the closed beta stage of the highly anticipated MMO game Sugar Rush, which is scheduled to launch in early 2009. Customers can learn more by visiting http://slurpee.nexon.net.

“7-Eleven is a great advocate of free-to-play online games, and now millions of its customers will have the chance to join in the fun through the pre-loaded DVDs that allow them to quickly install our games with the click of the mouse,” said Min Kim, vice president of marketing for Nexon America. “Then, once they’re in one of our games, which span from role playing to first-person shooters, they can use the Slurpee game codes to access free, exclusive content.”

To further commemorate the promotion, 7-Eleven also introduced a new, promotional flavor, Vanilla Créme, a variation of vanilla that mixes well with other Slurpee flavors. For more information on all things Slurpee, go to www.Slurpee.com.

“We’ve seen great success with the Nexon pre-paid cash cards and this partnership further solidifies 7-Eleven as a premier gaming destination,” said Brad Haga, 7-Eleven’s senior product director of services. “Free-to-play games are more popular than ever in North America, and with Nexon, we can deliver a dynamic experience for our customers looking for great entertainment.”

Nexon offers gamers a chance to select one of the following options with a Slurpee game code:

— Combat Arms (http://combatarms.nexon.net)

— 7-Eleven-branded cap and supply case (which offers a random weapon to use)

— Mabinogi (http://mabinogi.nexon.net)

— Slurpee potion which has healing powers (20 potions per code)

— MapleStory (http://maplestory.nexon.net)

— 7-Eleven-themed Double Experience Points card, which lasts for one hour

— Sugar Rush (http://sugarrush.nexon.net)

— Exclusive closed beta access and Slurpee set, which includes a Slurpee-style straw, 7-Eleven T-shirt and Slurpee hair with cap

While I still haven't gotten a chance to try out the game, I know a couple people who play actively and have had nothing but good things to say about it. Of course one of them is 8 years-old and technically shouldn't be playing it, but still - a shining recommendation.

Nexon’s “Combat Arms” ENLISTS One Million REGISTERED Users

Milestone Celebrated with Debut of New Map and A Revolutionary Game Mode Introduced for the First Time to First-Person Shooter Game Genre

LOS ANGELES, October 22, 2008 - Nexon America Inc. (www.nexon.net), a world leader in free-to-play, multiplayer online games, announced today that Combat Arms, its new online multiplayer first-person shooter game, surpassed one million registered users since its open beta launch in July. Combat Arms was commercially launched on October 1 with the addition of the highly anticipated "Black Market," the in-game item shop that allows users to spend real money to further customize their characters. Combat Arms is available free for download at http://combatarms.nexon.net.

To commemorate this milestone, Nexon will unveil two patches including a new map and game mode that will offer a variety of game play options for users to fully experience the dynamic world of multiplayer online first-person shooters (FPS). The new map, “Waverider,” which is set in a European hilltop town, will be the game’s largest map. Waverider will be complemented by the addition of new weapons, two supply cases, special event gear and a new male mercenary for Halloween

In addition, Nexon will introduce a new hide-and-seek game mode, “Bounty Hunter,” which has never been introduced to a FPS-genre game. The new mode enables one player to randomly become the “bounty,” who will be the target hunted by other players. The longer the bounty stays alive, the more in-game currency that player will earn.

"Nexon is dedicated to providing an interactive online gaming experience with our high quality games that are easy to pick up and entertaining at every level,” said Min Kim, vice president of marketing for Nexon. "Combat Arms’ successful commercial launch demonstrates the game’s huge mass appeal and validates market demand for great, free-to-play, online experiences.”

Combat Arms features personalized characters, various combat modes, maps, and weapons. In addition, Combat Arms offers a high level of socialization with Web 2.0 community tools for users with buddy lists, integrated clan systems in-game and on the web, and an in-game messenger system. This mix of elements ignites a revolutionary FPS experience: a dynamic, evolving game that encourages both friendly competition and friendship among its players.

"We’ve received overwhelming feedback from Combat Arms players who loved the mix of the fast-action FPS game play and ability to communicate with other players in-game," said Herb Yang, producer of Combat Arms. "People are really embracing the socialization features of Combat Arms, especially the built-in features enabling people to track their personal performance as well as to create and join clans, personalize their clans with items such as emblems, and participate in official clan matches on dedicated servers.”

Since the successful launch of MapleStory in North America, Nexon has been at the forefront of creating a broad roster of high quality multiplayer online games that appeal to both casual and hardcore gamers. The company is also a pioneer of implementing a profitable online microtransactions model in North America with its prepaid game cards being one of the top selling cards in major retail outlets including 7-Eleven and Target.

You can head over to the official website to download the game for free and check out the tons of new content Nexon has added in honor of today's official launch, including new weapons, a new map, and the addition of a new game mode, Capture the Flag. Wait, they've only just added Capture the Flag? This should be entertaining.

UPDATE: Nexon contacted us to clarify that while items will be eventually be available for purchase for Nexon cash, upgraded weapons never will. Hit the jump for the full "Free to Play Pledge".

The Free to Play Pledge

Combat Arms is Nexon’s free-to-play person shooter. Some games and companies do Free-to-Play games differently, so we’ll explain exactly what our mind-set is for this game.

First, Combat Arms will never cost a penny to play. Period.

Second, we believe that in any first-person shooter, being able to use real money to buy an uber gun sucks. It makes the game dependant on money and not skill (thus defeating the purpose of Free-to-Play), and skill is what a first-person shooter is all about. No point in competing if some new guy has a mystical weapon with magic bullets that always seem to find your head.

So, no weapons will be bought with Nexon Cash. Ever.

If you’re looking for the Golden Gun that will help you pwn everything with one shot, look elsewhere, because it’s not here. Skills are not bought, they are earned.

You want that new, awesome weapon? Keep playing, and you’ll eventually get it. All players will be on an equal footing weapon-wise (grenades included). We make money by selling the cosmetic items—stuff like shades, different uniforms, helmets, etc. Nothing game balance related is sold in the Cash Shop, and it’s going to stay that way.

You won’t have to pay a subscription fee either. Every single one of Nexon’s games are Free-to-Play, and subscription free. You need a free Nexon Passport to play, and that’s it. If you have one already, just download the client and start shooting people in the face. In addition, don’t expect to be bombarded with endless ads—we don’t expect you to pay not to see them. We want gun clicks, not mouse clicks.

That’s our promise to the player base, and we’re going to keep it.

See you on the battlefield!

Thanks to Nexon for clearing that up!

Combat Arms [Official Website]

The company touted the game's "highly customizable" aspect, from the look of characters to the guns and equipment. Match wins are rewarded with in-game currency in addition to XP, both of which allow players more customization options. Nexon also said the game weighs the community aspect heavily, with a clan focus and some social network-style features.

Though there's no specific release date confirmed, the closed beta begins May 30th, so if you're interested you can try your luck; full release follows the jump.

Nexon America Ignites Thrilling First Person Shooter, Combat Arms

Closed Beta frags away on May 30

May 23, 2008 – Los Angeles, CA – Nexon America Inc., the U.S. division of Asia’s leading online game company Nexon Group, announced today the launch of Combat Arms, its free-to-play, online first person shooter. The highly-customizable game is slated for commercial release later this summer, but a select group of players will get a chance to fire away in the closed beta test starting May 30th.

Combat Arms deploys players into a dangerous war zone teeming with soldiers of fortune looking to make a mark. The online shooter will advance the FPS genre by offering a rich free-to-play experience and introducing customization features unavailable in the current generation of online FPS games. Players have the ability to tailor their gaming experience by customizing how their characters look as well as which guns and equipment to carry into battle. A large arsenal of deadly weapons can be modified with attachments such as silencers, scopes and extended magazines.

The game is beginner-friendly while providing great depth for veteran gamers. By rewarding players who win matches and make kills with in-game currency and experience points, Combat Arms extends the game beyond an individual match. Accumulating both will help soldiers rank up to unlock and acquire new weapons and equipment. Further, the game extends beyond the battlefield through an extensive set of community features with a focus on clans. Players can recruit, manage, and communicate with their clan members, all within the game. Additionally, players can maintain a persistent profile to track their experience and performance to see how they rank within the Combat Arms community.

“Competition in video games among friends is always fun, but Combat Arms takes it to another level by letting gamers frag for free,” said Min Kim, vice president of marketing for Nexon America. “Combat Arms delivers all the great socialization elements found in other popular Nexon Games and presents them in one of the most popular gaming genres in North America.”

Combat Arms focuses on improving accessibility and community while maintaining a high fidelity combat experience. The free-to-play offering combined with low system requirements will encourage new players enter the traditionally hardcore space.

The upcoming closed beta test will run exclusively at FilePlanet.com for one week beginning May 30th. The beta test gives players a first chance to experience the heat of battle in realistic 3-D environments. Combat Arms will offer players the opportunity to face off in multiple theaters, including a junkyard, industrial plant and weapons factory, through multiple game modes. Players will experience regular content updates, such as new weapons, gear, maps, and more free game modes.

The closed beta will last for a short time and interested players can learn more at http://combatarms.nexon.net.