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 all its flagship video games.
MapleStory was first launched in 2003 in South Korea and presently has greater than 180 million registered gamers worldwide. Due to 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 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 one of the crucial potential NFT use instances in existence. With the worldwide gaming market dimension 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 all its most beloved titles.
MapleStory is a cherished and storied identify within the gaming group. One in all 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, 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 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 development staff for the Polygon protocol, is ready to supply 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 good option to energy the ecosystem,” MapleStory Universe group chief Solar-young Hwang mentioned 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 know-how, the corporate famous that its aim 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 belongings.
“Whereas there are a lot of advantages of blockchain know-how, Nexon has centered on three particularly: (1) Transparency, with all info recorded on-chain for anybody to see. (2) An open ecosystem, the place anybody can contribute to the challenge and earn rewards for his or her contributions. (3) Prolonged utility, by way of the free motion of in-game belongings,” they wrote.
To this finish, the staff famous that customers may have a clearer view of the choices and modifications which can be made, because the builders’ design and decision-making processes will now be totally seen on-chain. And because the whole course of is recorded on-chain, will probably be tougher for builders to alter 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 means, customers can immerse themselves extra simply within the digital world,” the staff defined.
What’s extra, Nexon will now not be performing as an administrator with full management of the server. As a substitute, will probably be a developer taking part in an open ecosystem. In consequence, different contributors can be on extra equal footing, and will probably 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 seems like an excellent factor. However sadly, would-be gamers should wait a bit to see precisely how this all performs out, as the sport presently has no launch date.
