Entertainment · Video games · published 2026-09-17 · via Variety

Nex Playground Lands $150M Investment, Brings on Niantic Veteran as CFO

Nex, the company behind the family gaming console Nex Playground, has secured over $150 million in new financing. The funds will support retail expansion and growth of its content ecosystem with gaming and entertainment partners. Niantic's Jeff Shouger is joining as CFO, and the company plans to introduce 'connected play' for cross-household gaming.

Expanded Detail

The new capital will accelerate Nex's retail footprint and deepen collaborations with gaming and entertainment brands, strengthening its library of motion-based titles. A key upcoming feature, "connected play," is designed to let families engage in shared gaming sessions remotely, extending the console's social utility beyond a single living room.

Under CEO David Lee, Nex is pursuing aggressive international growth. Following recent launches in Canada, the U.K., and Ireland, the company targets Germany by late 2026, with Japan and South Korea slated for 2027. The appointment of Niantic's Jeff Shouger as CFO brings experience from a major mobile-gaming firm to guide this financial expansion.

Context

This funding round may signal growing investor confidence in family-oriented, active gaming hardware as a distinct niche. The connected play feature could help geographically separated families maintain bonds through shared activity, though it may also raise questions about increased screen time for children. As Nex expands into new markets, it could intensify competition with other active-play platforms, potentially influencing how families across Europe and Asia choose to engage with fitness-focused entertainment.

Expanded detail and Context are AI-generated analysis; the linked article remains the authoritative source.

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