The Alpha:
- In an article published last 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 the moment has greater than 180 million registered gamers worldwide. Due to this huge consumer base, Nexon’s transfer may improve the velocity of blockchain gaming growth and the widespread adoption of NFTs.
- The brand new launch might be titled MapleStory Universe, and Nexon has chosen Polygon, an Ethereum-scaling community, to assist its Web3 enlargement and supply technical and enterprise assist for the sport
Dive deeper
Web3 gaming stays one of the crucial potential NFT use instances in existence. With the global gaming market size reaching over $200 billion in 2022, the trade is ripe with potential. And 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 identify within the gaming group. One in all Nexon’s major IP choices, the sport has generated over $4 billion in income and secured 180 million registered gamers, in accordance with a recent earnings report.
The blockchain-based iteration, MapleStory Universe, might be constructed on Polygon Supernets, a blockchain growth platform aimed toward serving to Web3 builders create their very own blockchain protocols. Polygon Supernets carry out an identical operate to that of Avalanche Subnets, to which they’re typically 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 primary networks they’re part of.
Polygon Labs, which is a growth and progress staff for the Polygon protocol, is about to supply technical and enterprise assist 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 are going to work intently with the staff 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 know-how, the corporate famous that its purpose is to create an NFT-centered ecosystem that enables 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 various advantages of blockchain know-how, 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 mission 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 staff famous that customers could have a clearer view of the choices and adjustments which can be 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, will probably 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 manner, customers can immerse themselves extra simply within the digital world,” the staff defined.
What’s extra, Nexon will not be appearing as an administrator with full management of the server. As a substitute, will probably be a developer taking part in an open ecosystem. Because of this, different contributors might be on extra equal footing, and will probably be simpler to establish 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 improve in transparency and decentralization actually seems like a very good factor. However sadly, would-be gamers must wait a bit to see precisely how this all performs out, as the sport at the moment has no launch date.