The Alpha:
- In an article revealed final week (March 12, 2023), world online game writer Nexon introduced that it was releasing a blockchain-based iteration of MapleStory, one in every of its flagship video games.
- MapleStory was first launched in 2003 in South Korea and at present has greater than 180 million registered gamers worldwide. Because of this large person base, Nexon’s transfer might enhance the pace of blockchain gaming growth and the widespread adoption of NFTs.
- The brand new launch will probably be titled MapleStory Universe, and Nexon has chosen Polygon, an Ethereum-scaling community, to help its Web3 growth and supply technical and enterprise help for the sport
Dive deeper
Web3 gaming stays one of the potential NFT use circumstances in existence. With the worldwide gaming market measurement reaching over $200 billion in 2022, the business is ripe with potential. And it appears that evidently Nexon is hoping to capitalize on a few of that potential with one in every of its most beloved titles.
MapleStory is a cherished and storied title within the gaming group. Considered one of Nexon’s main IP choices, the sport has generated over $4 billion in income and secured 180 million registered gamers, based on a latest earnings report.
The blockchain-based iteration, MapleStory Universe, will probably be constructed on Polygon Supernets, a blockchain growth platform geared toward serving to Web3 builders create their very own blockchain protocols. Polygon Supernets carry out an analogous operate to that of Avalanche Subnets, to which they’re usually in contrast. These networks enable builders to construct and make the most of a blockchain sub-network for particular person tasks, defending them from sluggish efficiency points on the principle networks they’re part of.
Polygon Labs, which is a growth and progress workforce for the Polygon protocol, is about to offer technical and enterprise help for the MapleStory Universe.
“We’re wanting ahead to increasing the NFT ecosystem envisioned by MapleStory Universe by constructing on Polygon, the highest protocol for web3 gaming. It’s the excellent option to energy the ecosystem,” MapleStory Universe group chief Solar-young Hwang mentioned within the press launch. “We’ll work intently with the workforce at Polygon Labs to develop and market the sport.”
What this implies for gamers
In an article explaining why Nexon determined to show to blockchain expertise, the corporate famous that its aim is to create an NFT-centered ecosystem that permits gamers to have a full view of the decision-making, take part in IP growth, and have precise possession of their property.
“Whereas there are lots of advantages of blockchain expertise, Nexon has centered on three specifically: (1) Transparency, with all info recorded on-chain for anybody to see. (2) An open ecosystem, the place anybody can contribute to the undertaking and earn rewards for his or her contributions. (3) Prolonged utility, by means of the free motion of in-game property,” they wrote.
To this finish, the workforce famous that customers may have a clearer view of the selections and adjustments which are made, because the builders’ design and decision-making processes will now be totally seen on-chain. And for the reason that total course of is recorded on-chain, it is going to be harder for builders to vary the foundations on a whim, as they’re totally seen to all customers. “The clear governance of the blockchain and the decentralization of energy that it offers makes builders’ design and decision-making processes totally seen and reliable. On this method, customers can immerse themselves extra simply within the digital world,” the workforce defined.
What’s extra, Nexon will not be performing as an administrator with full management of the server. As a substitute, it is going to be a developer collaborating in an open ecosystem. In consequence, different contributors will probably be on extra equal footing, and it is going to be simpler to determine these different contributors. The corporate explains that this “permits for extra proactive contributions and ensures that contributors are pretty rewarded for his or her work.”
This enhance in transparency and decentralization actually appears like an excellent factor. However sadly, would-be gamers must wait a bit to see precisely how this all performs out, as the sport at present has no launch date.
