The Alpha:
- In an article revealed final week (March 12, 2023), international 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. Because of this large consumer base, Nexon’s transfer might enhance the pace of blockchain gaming growth and the widespread adoption of NFTs.
- The brand new launch shall 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 vital potential NFT use instances in existence. With the international gaming market dimension reaching over $200 billion in 2022, the business 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 title within the gaming neighborhood. One in every of Nexon’s main IP choices, the sport has generated over $4 billion in income and secured 180 million registered gamers, in keeping with a latest earnings report.
The blockchain-based iteration, MapleStory Universe, shall 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 identical perform to that of Avalanche Subnets, to which they’re typically in contrast. These networks permit 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 ready to offer technical and enterprise assist for the MapleStory Universe.
“We are looking forward to expanding the NFT ecosystem envisioned by MapleStory Universe by building on Polygon, the top protocol for web3 gaming. It is the perfect choice to power the ecosystem,” MapleStory Universe group chief Solar-young Hwang mentioned within the press launch. “We will work closely with the team at Polygon Labs to develop and market the game.”
What this implies for gamers
In an article explaining why Nexon determined to show to blockchain expertise, the corporate famous that its objective 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 belongings.
“While there are many benefits of blockchain technology, Nexon has focused on three in particular: (1) Transparency, with all information recorded on-chain for anyone to see. (2) An open ecosystem, where anyone can contribute to the project and earn rewards for their contributions. (3) Extended utility, through the free movement of in-game assets,” they wrote.
To this finish, the staff famous that customers can have a clearer view of the choices and modifications which are made, because the builders’ design and decision-making processes will now be absolutely seen on-chain. And for the reason that whole course of is recorded on-chain, it is going to be tougher for builders to vary the principles on a whim, as they’re absolutely seen to all customers. “The transparent governance of the blockchain and the decentralization of power that it provides makes developers’ design and decision-making processes fully visible and trustworthy. In this way, users can immerse themselves more easily in the virtual world,” the staff defined.
What’s extra, Nexon will now not be performing as an administrator with full management of the server. As an alternative, it is going to be a developer collaborating in an open ecosystem. Because of this, different contributors shall be on extra equal footing, and it is going to be simpler to establish these different contributors. The corporate explains that this “allows for more proactive contributions and ensures that contributors are fairly rewarded for their work.”
This enhance in transparency and decentralization actually seems like a great factor. However sadly, would-be gamers should wait a bit to see precisely how this all performs out, as the sport at the moment has no launch date.
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