MapleStory Universe––the Web3 IP-expansion initiative from Nexon– is launching MapleStory N, the blockchain-powered MMORPG.
[Updated 10:19 am 5/16/25 Pacific time: Nexpace announced the launch was delayed.]
The sport is reside at the moment (Might 15), bringing new dimensions to the 22-year-old MapleStory mental property franchise. Backed by over 31.5 million on-chain transactions throughout its playtests, MapleStory N represents a significant milestone on the intersection of nostalgic gaming expertise and Web3 innovation.
Amid widespread skepticism by gaming communities, the MapleStory workforce believes Web3 is essential to securing the way forward for video games. The corporate labored for a very long time on the challenge, transitioning the sport from Web2 to Web3. Playtests have gone effectively, as half of all gamers constantly performed the sport in testing.
The sport is the work of Nexpace, the Web3 IP-expansion initiative backed by Nexon.
Because the countdown to the launch of MapleStory N begins, gamers around the globe can look ahead to a journey that blends nostalgic 2D side-scrolling gameplay with modern Web3 performance. With safe, gasless blockchain infrastructure and tradable on-chain belongings, the sport affords new methods for gamers to work together with and form the IP. MapleStory N marks the primary official recreation launch throughout the MapleStory Universe, laying the groundwork for future growth into extra gaming IPs.
Sunyoung Hwang, CEO of Nexpace, stated in an announcement, “The launch of MapleStory N marks the fruits of years of growth, rigorous person testing, and unwavering neighborhood assist. This isn’t simply the discharge of a brand new recreation; it’s the start of a brand new chapter in gaming historical past. With MapleStory N, we’ve constructed a platform the place gamers don’t simply take part, however actively form the worlds they inhabit, paving the best way for a extra immersive and community-driven future for the gaming business.”
Key options at launch
Designed for each longtime followers and a brand new era of gamers, the sport reinvents the MMORPG expertise by enabling true possession and direct participation within the in-game financial system of MapleStory N. Key options embody:
Reward exerience 2.0: A next-level gaming expertise that gives enhanced merchandise utility and rarity. By empowering gamers to concern, commerce, and handle in-game gadgets on-chain, the sport addresses merchandise dilution points and permits gamers to make use of recreation belongings past the sport itself, providing true and lasting possession.
Neighborhood-focused contribution mechanism: Alternatives for gamers, creators and builders to contribute to the sport’s evolution by means of user-generated content material and functions, and be rewarded with ecosystem tokens
Safe and protected gaming setting: MapleStory N leverages greater than 20 years of anti-cheat experience from the unique franchise, combining superior detection instruments, real-time monitoring, and AvaCloud’s safety infrastructure to safeguard the ecosystem.
Testing reveals sturdy early traction
Up to now, pioneer playtests of MapleStory N showcased exceptionally excessive engagement, pointing to sturdy market readiness at launch: Over 31.5 million on-chain actions recorded throughout pre-launch phases. It has sturdy market exercise with 76.2% of in-game tokens circulating actively spent.
The corporate additionally stated it had sturdy retention charges and important participant participation underscore the sport’s attraction and financial sustainability. The whole variety of distinct wallets registered on the MSU testnet web site reached 972,000 over the course of playtest interval.
And the entire variety of customers interacting with MSU reached 506,000, with one in two constantly enjoying MapleStory N (i.e. 47-54% retention charge).
MapleStory N marks the start of a key narrative throughout the MSU ecosystem, the place user-driven actions and Synergy Apps will speed up ongoing growth. Constructing on this launch, MapleStory Universe will proceed to evolve by means of participant contributions, decentralized content material creation, and an open financial system designed for long-term development.
MapleStory N might be accessible on PC. For extra data, go to the official web site at https://msu.io/.
Nexpace is a blockchain firm primarily based in Abu Dhabi, within the United Arab Emirates. Nexon invested $100 million in it within the first quarter of 2024. The mission is to launch an IP-expansion initiative powered by blockchain expertise and NFTs to construct a community-driven ecosystem.
The IP: MapleStory IP boasts over 250 million+ registered customers globally. With its content material and useful resource pool from 22 years of reside operations, MapleStory has constructed a strong ecosystem stuffed with gadgets that may be NFTized and robust neighborhood options, equal to $5 billion in lifetime income. Greater than 100 individuals are engaged on the blockchain challenge in partnership with Avalanche.
Aiming to achieve world players, MapleStory N might be launched in numerous areas the place blockchain video games are supported.
On 27 August 2024, Nexpace unveiled the Nexpace Protocol and its proprietary NXPC token for
the MapleStory Universe. This token is about to reinforce the in-game expertise whereas supporting
the broader MapleStory ecosystem by enabling the neighborhood to take part in merchandise creation —
a task historically held by recreation service suppliers. With NXPC, contributors can work together with and
create in-game gadgets, fostering a community-driven financial system throughout the MapleStory Universe.
The financial system of MapleStory N resembles the real-world financial system. Significantly, MapleStory N’s Restricted Provide Reward and Dynamic Pricing programs encourage customers to develop various methods.
MapleStory N limits the variety of every merchandise accessible, which helps not solely preserve but additionally add worth by adjusting costs primarily based on demand. MapleStory N has set the entire amount and forms of gadgets you will get, categorized by kind, degree, and rarity. As an alternative of shopping for the gadgets outright from the money store, you must play the sport to acquire the gadgets which are created at common intervals. Gadgets drop at common intervals, and the identical cycle applies even when the person has acquired the entire issued gadgets.
Dynamic pricing system
All in-game transactions, merchandise purchases, and enhancements are performed utilizing in-game currencies. The values of things, items, and even enhancement costs are decided by market financial system ideas. If many gamers are enhancing sure gadgets, the price of enhancement will increase. Conversely, if fewer gamers select to reinforce an merchandise, the enhancement value for the merchandise decreases.
MSU is an ever-expanding digital world primarily based on the MapleStory IP. Neighborhood members can get pleasure from a number of Synergy Apps, that are DApps, that bolster the person expertise. For instance, you may count on functions like a Market, the place customers can commerce the NFTs earned in MapleStory N, and Navigator, the place customers can discover and uncover the varied properties of things and NFTs accessible within the MSU.
The workforce is rigorously analyzing the affect of potential carry-over gadgets, progress, and rewards. Whereas incentivizing participation on this section is essential, mechanisms are being explored to make sure the ecosystem stays honest for brand new gamers at launch.
