Nexon Invests $100 Million into Web3 Game MapleStory Universe
Gaming industry giant Nexon has earmarked a $100 million investment to fuel the expansion of its Web3 intellectual property, MapleStory Universe.
The company, currently valued at $27 billion, states that the $100 million injection primarily serves the purpose of securing operational funds.
MapleStory M, the original web2 MMORPG developed by Nexon and NSC, has seen great success since its launch in October 2016.
By September 2023, the mobile game had achieved $600 million in cumulative sales, though reviews for the game in recent months have proved lacklustre.
The game generated $55 million in just 35 days after entering the very competitive Chinese gaming market.
Originating as an extension of Nexon's iconic MapleStory IP, which gained global popularity since its inception in 2003, MapleStory M transitioned to mobile in October 2016, laying the groundwork for the game's global expansion in July 2018.
MapleStory Universe
MapleStory is now venturing into web3 gaming and blockchain technology.
This move aims to redefine the MMORPG experience by introducing RX 2.0, merging core Reward Experience (RX) with blockchain technology.
The studio hopes this move will enhance the rarity and utility of in-game items, making them valuable both within and outside the game.
MapleStory also plans to create an NFT-based ecosystem, allowing players to earn limited quantity NFTs through gameplay, which can be traded peer-to-peer.
This approach offers a more controlled approach to inflation compared to unlimited issuance systems - which is a power creep issue that extends to not just MapleStory, but to all games within that genre.
Going Mobile
MapleStory Universe will introduce MapleStory N, a PC MMORPG game under the same IP.
MapleStory N Mobile, then, is the mobile variant of this PC game.
Both platforms will allow users to interact with NFTs that they own.
The game will also introduce MapleStory N World, a sandbox platform for creators to develop new games, and MapleStory N SDK.
This approach is expected to open the door to scalability and expansion beyond the existing ecosystem.
Seamless Ecosystem
While specifics about token issuance and service launches remain undisclosed, a roadmap scheduled for the first half of 2024 is expected to provide clarity on the project's direction.
Earlier this year, Nexon integrated Polygon Supernets, a blockchain catering to the demands of online gaming.
Through its Polygon integration, MapleStory Universe will reshapes the understanding of MapleStory's in-game economy, allowing players to earn and trade NFT items during gameplay.
The newly announced $100 million funding from Nexon will expedite web3-focused initiatives, with the MapleStory Universe ecosystem, comprising MapleStory N,
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