Patrick Soderlund, the founder and CEO of Embark Studios, has been appointed as the new executive chairman of Nexon, marking a significant leadership shift for the South Korean gaming giant. The move comes as a direct result of the massive commercial and critical impact of ARC Raiders, which has solidified Embark Studios as one of the most vital assets within Nexon’s global portfolio.
The promotion follows a historic run for the studio’s latest title. Released late last year, ARC Raiders has already surpassed 12 million copies sold as of January 2026. The game’s rapid ascent was further validated at the 2025 Game Awards, where it secured the title of Best Multiplayer Game. This level of performance has clearly signaled to Nexon’s board that Soderlund’s creative and operational philosophy is the blueprint the parent company intends to follow for its future high-budget endeavors.
Soderlund’s transition into this senior executive role at Nexon is the latest chapter in a career defined by high-stakes leadership at the industry’s largest firms. Before establishing Embark in 2018, he spent over a decade at Electronic Arts, rising from a chief designer to the executive vice president of Worldwide Studios. His tenure also included a pivotal stint as the CEO of DICE, the studio behind the Battlefield franchise. This deep institutional knowledge of AAA development is likely what Nexon seeks to leverage as it expands its footprint in the Western market.
As executive chairman, Soderlund is expected to oversee broader strategic initiatives at Nexon while maintaining his connection to the creative culture he built at Embark. For a company that has historically relied on long-running live-service titles in the East, Soderlund’s appointment represents a commitment to the premium, high-fidelity action titles that have recently redefined Embark’s reputation. Industry observers view this as a clear signal that Nexon is doubling down on its investment in Swedish development talent and global multiplayer hits.
