Nexon Collaborates with Polygon for Creation of NFT-based Game "MapleStory Universe"
Unleashing Maplestory Universe: A Leap into Web3 Gaming with Nexon and Avalanche
Bit by bit, the gaming landscape evolves, and one of the world's gaming heavyweights, Nexon, is making waves by partnering with Avalanche to redefine the future of gaming with the arrival of Maplestory Universe.
Maplestory Universe represents the long-awaited Web3 version of the much-loved, retro-styled 2D online game, Maplestory, initially launched in 2003. Although the partnership announcements have been shrouded in recent secrecy, it's evident that the collaboration between Nexon and Avalanche has ignited a new path for the Maplestory Universe project.
News of the alliance dropped at the Game Developer Conference in San Francisco on a Tuesday, revealing that Nexon has united forces with Avalanche to incorporate the blockchain into Maplestory Universe. The partnership's goal: to elevate the game's caliber using Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and Avalanche technology.
Nexon's main mission focuses on creating mesmerizing digital worlds, as demonstrated by Maplestory Universe—an MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) where players immerse themselves in a virtual realm, interact with fellow players, and conquer quests.
The game Maplestory has carved an indelible mark in gaming history, with its colossal $4 billion revenue and a staggering 180 million users. Despite its origins from the early aughts, the game's appeal remains undeniable, and Nexon aims to bring the Maplestory Universe franchise to the realm of Web3 gaming.
The game's development process involves leveraging Nexon's blockchain arm, Nexpace, along with Avalanche to power the blockchain ecosystem. Players can anticipate a thrilling gaming experience as they create their unique characters, slay monsters, and explore countless virtual environments. Additionally, players will stand a chance to reap NFT benefits by triumphing over quests and vanquishing monsters.
Hwang Sun-young, the head of Maplestory Universe, stresses the eagerness to expand the Maplestory Universe NFT ecosystem by collaborating with Avalanche.
As a side note, rumors suggest a previous alliance between Nexon and Polygon has been put on hold, with Nexon favoring Avalanche in their new strategy.
Dig a little deeper, and you'll unearth that Nexpace—Nexon's blockchain division—is dedicating its resources to creating a Web3 expansion for the iconic MapleStory franchise. Instead of Polygon, Avalanche has been chosen to serve as the foundation for MapleStory's blockchain-based gameplay and asset management. Intriguingly, Nexpace has even launched its own Avalanche Layer 1 chain named Henesys, which went live in April 2025.
Stay tuned as the Web3 gaming world is about to witness the transformation of the Maplestory Universe!
Additional Insights:Due to the evolving nature of the partnership between Nexon and Avalanche, it's important to keep an eye on any new updates related to the development of Maplestory Universe. Meanwhile, check out this article to learn about the partnership of another major player Immutable with Polygon for the launch of their new zkEVM platform for Web3 games.
Sources:[1] Nexon Enters Web3 Gaming with Avalanche by Investing in Nexpace. (2022, October 20). Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://www.coindesk.com/business/2022/10/20/nexon-enters-web3-gaming-with-avalanche-by-investing-in-nexpace/
[2] Nexon Announces MapleStory N on Avalanche Blockchain. (2023, March 31). Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://www.ccn.com/nexon-announces-maplestory-n-on-avalanche-blockchain/
- Nexon's partnership with Avalanche is set to revolutionize the Maplestory Universe, transitioning it into a Web3 gaming platform.
- The blockchain technology from Avalanche, coupled with NFTs from Nexon, aims to elevate the game's caliber within the Maplestory Universe project.
- Maplestory Universe, a Web3 version of the popular game, is set to capitalize on the $4 billion revenue and 180 million user-base.
- The collaboration between Nexon and Avalanche will see the creation of unique digital worlds, catering to a vast and diverse ecosystem within the gaming industry.
- The advent of Avalanche within Maplestory Universe will provide players with NFT benefits and incentives, through quest completion and monster vanquishing.
- Hwang Sun-young, head of Maplestory Universe, seeks to expand the game's NFT ecosystem through strategic collaborations, such as the one with Avalanche.
- Rumors abound that Nexon had initially planned to partner with Polygon but ultimately chose Avalanche as the foundation for the Maplestory Universe's blockchain-based gameplay and asset management.
- Nexon's blockchain division, Nexpace, has launched its own Avalanche Layer 1 chain named Henesys, which went live in April 2025.
- As Web3 gaming continues to evolve, other major players such as Immutable have formed alliances with Polygon to launch zkEVM platforms for the creation of new Web3 games.
- Stay informed about the progress of the Maplestory Universe development as it delves deeper into the realms of Web3 gaming, cybersecurity, lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, gadgets, data-and-cloud-computing, technology, artificial-intelligence, travel, sports, and sports-betting industries.
