Nexon to Create Blockchain Game Ecosystem... Unveils 'MapleStory Universe'

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Nexon is set to build a blockchain game ecosystem called ‘MapleStory Universe’ by leveraging the intellectual property (IP) of ‘MapleStory’.

Kang Daehyun, Nexon’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), stated at the keynote of the '2022 Nexon Developers Conference (NDC)' on the 8th, "We are preparing various blockchain projects based on the MapleStory IP to be launched in the global market, and we are designing the NFT-centered ecosystem called ‘MapleStory Universe’ that encompasses all of these."

Realizing Blockchain and NFT Value Using MapleStory

The plan is to advance Nexon’s virtual world to a new level by implementing an NFT-based ecosystem utilizing the ‘MapleStory’ IP. NFTs created from various elements such as in-game characters and items will be able to move freely and be shared within this ecosystem. Furthermore, it aims to support interoperability with other NFT projects to become a part of the global blockchain community.

COO Kang emphasized, "Although there are various perspectives on blockchain technology in the public eye, now, as the industry is in its early stages, it is time to focus on the potential of the technology rather than making definitive judgments." He explained that blockchain, as an infrastructure technology that is easy to integrate and share, can expand and evolve the closed ecosystems of existing online games into open ecosystems.

He also explained that to create a successful blockchain game that surpasses the physical limitations of existing virtual worlds, it is necessary to have a sophisticated design tailored to the characteristics of ▲transparently disclosed rules ▲rewards based on open participation and contribution ▲value storage and transfer.

A New Virtual World Centered on NFTs... Starting with ‘MapleStory N’

The first title in the MapleStory Universe is ‘MapleStory N’. This is a new PC-based global MMORPG that integrates blockchain technology with the original IP.

MapleStory N will have no cash shop, allowing users to acquire items through gameplay and convert them into NFTs, creating a free market economy based on full ownership. Fees generated during economic activities will be distributed as rewards to contributors within the ‘MapleStory Universe’ ecosystem and to Nexon.

Nexon is also preparing ‘MOD N’ (tentative name), a blockchain game development sandbox platform that enables easy development across PC and mobile. In ‘MOD N’, users can develop their own unique games using not only ‘MapleStory NFTs’ but also external NFTs. The popularity of the games created will be measured within the ‘MapleStory Universe’ to determine contribution levels, which will be rewarded accordingly.

Additionally, Nexon plans to sequentially introduce blockchain projects within the ‘MapleStory Universe’ ecosystem, such as the MapleStory N SDK, which allows the creation of entirely new applications based on NFTs acquired in the universe, and MapleStory N Mobile, which lets users bring ‘MapleStory NFTs’ to mobile devices to play anytime and anywhere.

COO Kang said, "Our goal is to implement a virtual world where NFTs can move freely," adding, "MapleStory NFTs will expand their use beyond the walls of games to the global blockchain ecosystem comprehensively, while building a converged ecosystem within the MapleStory Universe that allows external NFTs to enter."