MapleStory Universe (MSU), Nexon's Web3 IP-expansion initiative, has launched MapleStory N, a blockchain-powered MMORPG, live as of May 15. This new game extends the 22-year-old MapleStory franchise into Web3 territory, backed by over 31. 5 million on-chain transactions during its playtests, blending nostalgic 2D side-scrolling gameplay with innovative blockchain features. Developed by Nexpace—a blockchain-focused IP-expansion company funded by Nexon with a $100 million investment in early 2024—the project transitions MapleStory from Web2 to Web3, aiming to secure the game's future amidst community skepticism. MapleStory N introduces secure, gasless blockchain infrastructure and tradable on-chain assets, enabling players true ownership and deeper interaction with the IP. It marks the first official game release within the MSU ecosystem, setting the foundation for additional IP expansions. CEO Sunyoung Hwang emphasized that the game is not only a new release but a platform empowering players to shape their in-game worlds, fostering a more immersive and community-driven gaming future. Key launch features include Reward Experience 2. 0, offering enhanced item utility and rarity by allowing players to issue, trade, and manage in-game items on-chain, thus preventing item dilution and extending asset usability beyond the game. A community-focused contribution mechanism invites players, creators, and developers to influence the game’s evolution through user-generated content and applications, rewarded with ecosystem tokens. The game also leverages over two decades of MapleStory’s anti-cheat expertise combined with AvaCloud’s security infrastructure to ensure a safe gaming environment. Testing results indicate strong early traction: pioneer playtests recorded over 31. 5 million on-chain activities and 76. 2% active spending of in-game tokens.

Nearly 972, 000 distinct wallets registered on the MSU testnet, with approximately 506, 000 interacting users and a 47-54% retention rate, reflecting robust player engagement and economic sustainability. MapleStory N’s economy mimics real-world dynamics, featuring a Limited Supply Reward and Dynamic Pricing system. Item availability is capped by type, level, and rarity, maintaining and enhancing value by adjusting prices based on demand. Players earn items through gameplay at regular intervals instead of outright purchases, and in-game transactions—including purchases and enhancements—use game currency, with costs varying according to market activity (e. g. , higher demand for item enhancements increases their cost). MSU is an expanding virtual world based on MapleStory IP, offering “Synergy Apps” (DApps) like a Marketplace for NFT trading and Navigator for exploring item properties. The development team is assessing mechanisms to balance carry-over items and rewards, ensuring fairness and sustainability for new players at launch. Nexpace, based in Abu Dhabi, pursues a mission to create a blockchain and NFT-powered, community-driven ecosystem leveraging MapleStory’s established IP, which boasts over 250 million registered users and $5 billion lifetime revenue across 22 years. In August 2024, Nexpace introduced the Nexpace Protocol and its NXPC token to enhance player engagement and allow community participation in item creation, traditionally controlled by game providers, fostering a decentralized economy within MSU. MapleStory N is available on PC and targeting global gamers in blockchain-supported regions. More information is available at https://msu. io/. The launch signifies a pioneering Web3 MMORPG blending nostalgic gameplay with cutting-edge blockchain innovation to build a scalable, player-centric game ecosystem.