Reflecting on its 20th anniversary, the popular MMORPG MapleStory shared what it has taken to maintain its presence, highlighting the importance of being able to adapt to the times.

Since its launch in 2003, during the era of the Nintendo Game Boy and GameCube, MapleStory has seen a variety of platform iterations come and go — including the DS, 3DS, Wii, and Switch, all the while maintaining a constant presence in the gaming world.

Sharing some statistics, MapleStory claimed that over the last two decades, more than 180 million users have created game IDs and that the EXP earned by Korean players alone would cumulatively equal 804 quintillions. Its ever-expanding universe currently offers roughly 32,000 different collectibles, like pets, equipment, cosmetics, and more.

Speaking on how it’s maintained growth for so long, MapleStory credited the leadership of its parent company Nexon, stating that it has “kept up with market needs and technological advancements, addressed various issues that have arisen, and advanced its live service capabilities.”

Additionally, it shared that regular content updates, expansion of intellectual property on outside platforms, and collaborative products and events have also been major contributors to the growth of the game.

Now, looking forward, Nexon is looking to add sustainability to the MapleStory ecosystem, as well as strengthen its in-game marketplace, which is why it has announced the launch of MapleStory Universe, its blockchain-based initiative.

MapleStory shared that “this is not merely a sudden decision based on a trend, but rather a carefully considered endeavor and challenge by Nexon to overcome the limitations it has faced.”

Beyond the benefits of traceability, authentication, and ownership rights that on-chain assets provide, MapleStory shared that it will also be utilizing blockchain-based tech to create an NFT-centered ecosystem that will develop new IP side by side with participants.

“By combining the advantages of blockchain with Nexon’s long-term live service capabilities, the company aims to provide a service that allows users and game companies to continue to grow together in a healthy way by leveraging the irreplaceable IP of MapleStory.”

The beloved game shared that its primary goal is to “be with our users for as long as possible without compromising their memories and efforts,” and that using the blockchain might help to make this a reality.