If you are a domestic game user, you have likely heard of the major game company Nexon, which is launching the blockchain version of its flagship game MapleStory today. Since it is a blockchain game, it will naturally issue virtual assets, namely coins. It has attracted the attention of many virtual asset holders who believe that a large company's virtual asset is bound to succeed.
On the 15th, Nexon's blockchain subsidiary Nexspace will simultaneously list the virtual asset NXPC on domestic won exchanges Upbit and Bithumb in the afternoon. The exact start time for trading will be updated later. Additionally, it was listed on several virtual asset exchanges such as the world's largest exchange Binance, Bybit, KuCoin, and Gate.io at 3 p.m. Listing on multiple exchanges at once signifies the high expected value of the virtual asset.
The identity of this coin being issued by Nexon can be found in the white paper describing NXPC. According to the white paper, NXPC is based on Avalanche's mainnet, which ranks 11th in market capitalization, and serves as the base currency for the blockchain game 'MapleStory N' and the blockchain project 'MapleStory Universe' created by Nexspace.
MapleStory N will also officially launch today alongside its listing. Like the existing MapleStory, it maintains a traditional massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) structure where players level up their characters by gaining experience points and items through hunting and quests. However, a feature has been introduced that allows items and game money to be converted into non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Thanks to the characteristics of NFTs, ownership proof, scarcity, and permanence of items are guaranteed.
In-game money has changed from mesos to nesos, and the existing cash shop has been eliminated. Instead, a 'marketplace' for trading nesos has been created within the MapleStory Universe. Players in MapleStory N will enjoy the game just like in MapleStory, but they will be able to mint acquired items into NFTs (the process of registering digital assets on the blockchain) and own them like tangible assets or trade them with others through the marketplace.
The exchange rate between NXPC and nesos will remain constant and will be exchanged through smart contracts on the blockchain. Therefore, players can mint limited items obtained by defeating boss monsters in the existing game as NFTs, sell them in the marketplace, and even cash them out through exchanges. If nesos are insufficient or a desired item is needed, it is also possible to purchase NXPC through exchanges like Binance and exchange it for use.
Unfortunately, MapleStory N cannot be enjoyed in South Korea due to regulatory restrictions on blockchain services. As a result, many users have bypassed these restrictions by using virtual private networks (VPNs) to proceed with pre-downloads for several days. Even if formal play is difficult, NXPC holders will indirectly participate in the activation of the Maple Universe ecosystem.
Nexon has conducted two tests since last year for smooth operation. The second test, conducted in November last year, saw participation from over 500,000 testers, and the maximum daily active users (DAU) reached 240,000, reflecting high interest. The existing MapleStory has secured 180 million global users, and since NXPC is a virtual asset actually used in the game, it is assessed to have a solid user base.
It remains uncertain whether Nexon's challenge will be successful. While the liquidity of in-game money and the utility of NFTs are high, if one considers the game's essence of enjoyment, there may be regrets about changes from the previous MapleStory. Additionally, there are expectations regarding whether the recent WEMIX incident will improve the image of domestically produced virtual assets.
A source from the domestic virtual asset industry noted, "A few years ago, blockchain games that made money through in-game transactions almost all closed their businesses due to poor profitability. With a large company like Nexon attempting to build a solid tokenomics, I hope it becomes a successful case."