MapleStory, a core IP of Nexon Group that has been played for over 20 years, is now being regenerated on Avalanche. MapleStory is a product of the biggest Korean game studio, Nexon, which rose to global fame when the game took off in the 2000s, the golden age of MMORPGs. MapleStory remains a cult favorite today, and now a web3-enhanced extension of the franchise is coming to Avalanche.

"Our partnership with Ava Labs will allow us to build a stable and complete blockchain ecosystem, enabling us to securely service various dApps along with MapleStory N to amplify our competitiveness,” said Angela Son, MapleStory Universe's Partnership Lead.

Iconic Web2 IP

In the ever-evolving landscape of mobile gaming, one title stands tall, reaping the rewards of its strategic prowess and the global appeal of its beloved IP. MapleStory M, an MMORPG developed by Nexon and NSC, has achieved remarkable success since its launch in October 2016.

Fast forward to September 2023, and the mobile sensation had clocked an impressive $600 million in cumulative sales, with one significant milestone that has the industry buzzing: a staggering $55 million in just 35 days after entering the highly competitive Chinese market.

MapleStory has broken barriers and has enduring appeal. Back when it was common for MMOs to use subscriptions, MapleStory bucked this trend and became perhaps the first online game to popularize the free-to-play model. MapleStory Universe continues the Nexon Group’s tradition of innovation. The first game within the web3-enabled MapleStory Universe will be called MapleStory N.

Gaming industry giant Nexon also recently earmarked a substantial $100 million investment for the expansion of its web3 IP, MapleStory Universe. With Nexon's valuation standing at $27 billion, this move signifies a significant step in the evolution of the revered MMORPG.

Nexon's entry into web3 has garnered attention from the global gaming community and industry stakeholders. Despite the company's robust valuation, a Nexon spokesperson clarifies that the $100 million injection is primarily directed at securing operational funds, reinforcing the commitment to MapleStory Universe's success. 

MapleStory x Avalanche

Critically, MapleStory Universe on Avalanche will offer new user-generated content possibilities, elevating this trend employed by many leading web2 games. Not only can players in the web3 version of MapleStory build worlds, they can be rewarded for doing so.

Incorporating Avalanche allows MapleStory to expand its horizons like never before. With the fuel of web3 ownership and incentives, the already-expansive MapleWorld can grow massively. Users can build out enticing new worlds, extend gameplay, and add their footprint to the MapleStory Universe.

The result: loyal web2 gamers from across the world will get an expanded gaming experience on Avalanche, introducing them to the possibilities of web3 gaming. Many of these possibilities will be unlocked by Avalanche’s custom features. MapleStory Universe will be powered by an Avalanche Subnet tailored specifically to their ecosystem.

“I can’t imagine a bigger opportunity in Web3 than what the Nexon Group is doing with MapleStory Universe, and we’re honored to power its next blockchain project with Avalanche,” said Ed Chang, Head of Gaming at Ava Labs. “We’ve been extremely impressed with the vision since our first conversation, and the focus on long-term sustainability could easily onboard millions of users on-chain.”

MapleStory Universe is part of a growing trend for game companies coming to Avalanche, as illustrated by Gunzilla (Off The Grid), Neon Machine (Shrapnel), TSM, Merit Circle, Pegaxy, DOS Subnet, and others. Subnets are being increasingly seen as rich interconnected ecosystems rather than as a custom home for just one game.

MapleStory Universe has migrated to Avalanche for the network’s security and how successfully Avalanche has onboarded and supported various web3 games over the years. Additionally, launching a Subnet with AvaCloud allows MapleStory Universe to proceed without a separate implementation partner, providing greater convenience, more support options, and quick time to market.

Simply put, Avalanche Subnets position MapleStory Universe to give players seamless web3 features and gameplay. MapleStory Universe aims to launch the PC MMORPG MapleStory N on Avalanche by the end of 2024.

Final Thoughts

The newly announced migration to Avalanche and $100 million funding from Nexon will expedite web3-focused initiatives, with a roadmap set for the first half of 2024. The MapleStory Universe ecosystem, comprising MapleStory N, N Worlds, N SDK, and N Mobile, aims to transition the beloved IP into the web3 era, revolutionizing the gaming experience through blockchain technology and NFT integration.

The future holds great promise as MapleStory Universe and Avalanche strive to be trailblazers in the evolving landscape of blockchain gaming. To learn more, check out MapleStory Universe’s website or Twitter.