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 presently has greater than 180 million registered gamers worldwide. Because of this large person base, Nexon’s transfer may improve the velocity of blockchain gaming growth and the widespread adoption of NFTs.
- The brand new launch can be titled MapleStory Universe, and Nexon has chosen Polygon, an Ethereum-scaling community, to help its Web3 enlargement and supply technical and enterprise help for the sport
Dive deeper
Web3 gaming stays probably the most potential NFT use instances in existence. With the worldwide gaming market measurement reaching over $200 billion in 2022, the trade 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. One in every of Nexon’s major IP choices, the sport has generated over $4 billion in income and secured 180 million registered gamers, in line with a current earnings report.
The blockchain-based iteration, MapleStory Universe, can 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 the same perform to that of Avalanche Subnets, to which they’re usually 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 principle networks they’re part of.
Polygon Labs, which is a growth and development staff for the Polygon protocol, is about to offer technical and enterprise help for the MapleStory Universe.
“We’re trying 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 stated within the press launch. “We’ll work carefully 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 expertise, the corporate famous that its purpose 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.
“Whereas there are lots of advantages of blockchain expertise, Nexon has targeted on three specifically: (1) Transparency, with all data 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 belongings,” they wrote.
To this finish, the staff famous that customers can have a clearer view of the selections and adjustments which might be 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, will probably be harder for builders to vary the foundations on a whim, as they’re absolutely 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 absolutely 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 performing as an administrator with full management of the server. As an alternative, will probably be a developer taking part in an open ecosystem. Consequently, different contributors can 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 feels 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 presently has no launch date.
