MapleStory Goes Blockchain with MapleStory Universe
For over two decades, MapleStory, the side-scrolling massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), has captured the hearts of millions with its charming characters, quirky monsters, and endless adventures.
Now, Nexon, the gaming giant behind MapleStory, is poised to revolutionise the beloved franchise with a bold new venture: MapleStory Universe.
This immersive ecosystem ushers in the era of Web3 gaming, weaving blockchain technology and NFTs into the fabric of the MapleStory experience.
MapleStory Universe Launches A Community-Driven Genesis
MapleStory Universe officially kicked off its pre-launch phase on 24 June 2024, with the launch of the "MapleStory Universe: The Genesis" campaign.
This pre-launch initiative aims to foster a strong community that will serve as the bedrock of the entire MapleStory Universe ecosystem.
By participating in engaging quests on the official website, you can earn points and contribute to the vibrant community.
These quests range from simple tasks like visiting the website and joining the Discord channel to more in-depth activities like quizzes and social media engagement.
The more actively you participate, the higher your points will climb, leading to exciting rewards to be revealed later this year.
The Genesis campaign also features a special Dressroom event, offering pre-registrations and rewards for those eager to jump into the action when the official launch arrives.
Currently, the first season will run for two weeks. so players are encouraged to log into MSU THE GENESIS Web daily and complete the Quiz Time tasks.
How to Participate in the Pre-Launch Campaign?
Step 1: Connect Your Wallet and Create a Character
1. Go to the website: https://maplestoryuniverse.io
2. Connect your wallet and create a character.
Note: Currently, due to regional restrictions, access to the website is limited to specific countries.
List of restricted countries:
Afghanistan, Algeria, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Crimea, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Donetsk, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Lugansk, Malta, Morocco, Netherlands, Nepal, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam
Source: X @ervema
Step 2: Register Your Account
1. Enter your nickname and email address.
Source: X @ervema
2. Check your email for the verification code.
3. Enter the verification code and click "Confirm".
4. Sign the message in your wallet to complete the registration.
Source: X @ervema
Step 3: Complete Galxe Quests
1. Click on "QUEST" to enter the task page.
2. There are three main tasks, all of which are Galxe tasks.
Source: X @ervema
Step 4: Complete the "WITH MAPLESTORY UNIVERSE" Task
This task consists of 4 social media tasks:
1. Visit the official website
2. Follow MapleStory Universe on X
3. Join the MapleStory Universe Discord server
4. Create a character in the game
Source: X @ervema
Step 5: Complete the "[Season 1] MSU QUIZ TIME" Task
This task is a quiz. The answers to the questions are: CACABBCBAD
Source: X @ervema
Step 6: Complete the "[Season 1] WELCOME TO MSU" Task
This task currently includes 4 interactive steps, of which the following can be completed now:
- Customise your character's appearance
- Check in daily
- Repost the official X post
Source: X @ervema
Note: These are just the steps on how to participate in the pre-launch campaign. The actual gameplay and rewards of the MapleStory Universe game may differ.
Nexon Invests $100 Million, Fueling the Web3 Vision
In December 2023, Nexon, the gaming giant behind MapleStory and other popular titles like Dungeon and Fighters and Bubble Fighter, made a significant investment of $100 million into MapleStory Universe.
Nexon, valued at a staggering $27 billion, is a powerhouse in the gaming industry, and this hefty investment signifies their strong belief in the potential of MapleStory Universe.
With this war chest, Nexon is poised to accelerate the development of MapleStory Universe, ensuring a smooth and successful launch.
Introducing MapleStory N: A Blockchain-Powered MMORPG
But what exactly is MapleStory Universe?
Unlike the original MapleStory, MapleStory Universe is a multifaceted ecosystem built on blockchain technology. It's a comprehensive ecosystem designed to empower players and creators alike.
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This means exciting new features and functionalities that will revolutionise the way you play MapleStory.
At the heart of the ecosystem lies MapleStory N, a brand new PC MMORPG experience that seamlessly integrates blockchain elements.
Here's what sets MapleStory N apart:
- Goodbye Cash Shop, Hello Earning Power: MapleStory N ditches the traditional cash shop model. Instead, players will earn tokens and items solely through their gameplay efforts.
- NFTs: Owning a Piece of the MapleStory World: Earned items can be converted into tradable NFTs, allowing players to truly own their in-game assets and potentially monetise them.
This shift towards an "earn-to-play" model empowers players and fosters a more dynamic in-game economy.
Furthermore, this exciting ecosystem comprises three other key components:
- MapleStory N Mobile: Extending the reach of the ecosystem, MapleStory N Mobile brings the blockchain-powered gameplay to mobile devices, ensuring seamless gaming on the go.
- MapleStory N Worlds: This sandbox platform empowers players and creators to craft their own blockchain games. Here, creativity takes center stage as users leverage NFTs to build unique and engaging experiences.
- MapleStory N SDK: Designed for developers, this toolkit provides the necessary tools to create decentralised applications (dApps) that interact with the MapleStory Universe ecosystem.
MapleStory Universe Switches from Polygon Supernets to Avalanche
Originally planned to launch on the Ethereum scaling network Polygon, MapleStory Universe underwent a strategic shift in March 2024.
The project migrated to Avalanche, a high-performance blockchain known for its scalability and security.
This move was driven by the potential benefits offered by Avalanche, particularly its dedicated subnets.
These customisable blockchain instances provide MapleStory Universe with the flexibility and control needed to optimise the gaming experience.
As Angela Son, Partnerships Lead for MapleStory Universe, explains, Avalanche's subnets will enable them to "maximise the unique characteristics of blockchain-based games, such as transparency and reliability."
For instance, MapleStory N plans to leverage the subnet to store data related to item enhancements, ensuring the immutability and security of player-earned upgrades.
With Avalanche's backing, MapleStory Universe is well-positioned to deliver a smooth and secure blockchain gaming experience.
Why MapleStory Universe is Generating Buzz
MapleStory Universe, a Web3 take on the classic MMORPG, is turning heads despite the struggles of many similar games. This popularity stems from several factors.
MapleStory boasts a loyal player base of over 180 million gamers, many of whom have a strong connection to the game and disposable income.
Source: maplestory.nexon.net
Second, MapleStory Universe takes a unique approach to Web3 gaming, focusing on community activities and user-generated content through NFTs instead of pure tokenomics.
Finally, the potential interoperability with other popular Nexon titles like Dungeon&Fighter (850 million users) and Kartrider (380 million users) creates an enticing prospect for gamers.
This combination of nostalgia, a fresh approach to Web3 gaming, and a potentially vast interconnected world is why MapleStory Universe is capturing so much attention, with its X account gaining a significant boost of 70,500 followers.
The Team
The ambitious MapleStory Universe project is led by a dedicated team harnessing blockchain technology to enhance gaming experiences.
While specific details about team members have not been widely publicised, several leaders have been identified online.
Keith Kim
Head of Strategy
Social: X | Linkedin
Keith Kim currently holds the role of Head of Strategy and Chief Blockchain Designer at Nexpace, where he leads the economic immersion initiative for the MapleStory Universe (MSU) project.
With a deep-rooted passion for gaming and a lifelong dedication to MapleStory, Keith channels his expertise and enthusiasm into shaping MSU's development.
Prior to his pivotal role in MSU, Keith played a key role at Nexon's Intelligence Labs, where he spearheaded various strategic projects as Senior Project Manager, showcasing his blend of strategic foresight and technological prowess.
Ki-Hyeok Ryu
Head of Blockchain Ecosystem
Social: X | Linkedin
Ki-Hyeok Ryu is the Head of Blockchain Ecosystem at MapleStory Universe, currently leading blockchain development and strategic initiatives for the Nexon Universe project.
He has a background as a lead blockchain developer at Nexon Korea, specialising in blockchain service development and design.
Prior to his current role, he also worked as a frontend developer, contributing to projects like Round seat allocation system, Nexon Shopping, and Project MOD using Vue.js.
Angela Son
Head of BD & Partnerships
Social: Linkedin
Angela Son is the Head of BD & Partnerships at MapleStory Universe, overseeing strategic growth, partnerships, and live operations for Nexon's blockchain initiative.
With a background spanning global business development, project management, and corporate strategy in the gaming industry, Angela is instrumental in integrating blockchain technology to enhance gaming experiences.
She previously led business development and partnerships at Nexon Korea's Intelligence Labs, focusing on analytics-driven live operations and strategic acquisitions.
A New Dawn for MapleStory
The arrival of MapleStory Universe marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of MapleStory.
With its focus on user-generated content, blockchain-powered economies, and community building, MapleStory Universe promises to redefine the MMORPG experience.
Nexon's significant investment and the strategic shift to Avalanche further highlights their commitment to shaping the future of Web3 gaming.
As MapleStory N approaches its PC launch later in 2024, players can eagerly anticipate a world where dedication in MapleStory translates not only to in-game glory but also to the potential ownership of valuable digital assets.
The future of MapleStory is undeniably bright, and MapleStory Universe beckons players to embark on a captivating journey into the uncharted territory of Web3 gaming.
Catherine
