KartRider Game To Be Launched on iOS, Android; MapleStory Coming on Facebook

South Korean video game developer Nexon will be publishing its KartRider franchise in iOS and Android platforms and MapleStory title on Facebook, thereby making its entry in to the mobile and social gaming space.

Nexon said it plans to publish KartRider Rush on the iOS and Android platforms later this month, while MapleStory Adventures will be available on the Facebook platform this summer.

KartRider Rush is a mobile version of Nexon's KartRider, which boasts more than 200 million registered players worldwide. KartRider Rush, which will be playable soon as a free app on iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, and on Android devices, will allow up to four players to race against each other in both battle mode as well as time trial mode.

On the other hand, MapleStory Adventures will allow Facebook users to participate in quests and challenges while inviting friends to help in combat.

Both games follow Nexon's micro transaction-based model, which lets players download and play for free and can later opt to pay for game enhancements such as purchasing additional tracks or in-game items.

Expanding our global IPs into the social and mobile gaming space is a watershed moment in Nexon's global expansion efforts. Not only will this move provide new ways for hundreds of millions of fans worldwide to experience Nexon's games, it allows Nexon the opportunity to prove the robustness of its business model on new platforms, Daniel Kim, Nexon America's chief executive, said in a statement.

Los Angeles-based Nexon America Inc. is the North American publishing arm of Nexon Group. The company's titles include MapleStory, Mabinogi, Combat Arms and RPG Dungeon Fighter Online.