Nexpace (NXPC): MapleStory IP goes web3

In 2003, Nexon launched MapleStory, a simple, 2D MMORPG that quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Its blocky characters and iconic town of Henesys were etched in the memories of over 250 million players who played the game worldwide. Now, Nexspace, an Abu Dhabi–based subsidiary of Nexon, is recreating this world on-chain with MapleStory Universe. 

Key Takeaways:

• MapleStory Universe brings Nexon’s iconic franchise on-chain through blockchain-powered games, starting with the launch of MapleStory N.

• The ecosystem is built on the Henesys blockchain, enabling fast, feeless gameplay and player ownership of in-game assets as interoperable NFTs.

• With the NXPC utility token and a community-driven economy, MapleStory Universe aims to redefine blockchain gaming for both traditional players and web3 users.

What is MapleStory Universe?

At its core, MSU is a faithful recreation of MapleStory's legacy. It revives the beloved characters, art styles and lore while simultaneously improving the game by integrating blockchain technology. Nexpace believes this integration will transform the franchise from a centralized ecosystem into a player-owned universe, creating a win-win scenario for both the original players and web3 natives. 

The MapleStory IP is already an established success, with 250 million players and over $5 billion in revenue. MapleStory Universe aims to bring its enormous player base into MSU through various incentives, such as cross-platform progression and exclusive rewards for legacy users. 

Nexpace: Nexon's blockchain arm

Behind all of this development is Nexpace, the blockchain-focused subsidiary of Nexon established in 2023. Sun Young Hwang is the CEO of Nexpace and a leader at MapleStory Universe. With 15 years of experience at Nexon, Hwang brings a wealth of expertise and a clear vision for the ecosystem’s growth in the web3 space. 

What is MapleStory N?

As part of its mission to launch a gaming universe, Nexpace teams announced MapleStory N, the first standalone game of the MapleStory Universe. It’s a PC-based MMORPG with onchain item ownership. The game is set for a global launch on May 15, 2025, and is currently available for pre-download. According to BlockchainGamer.biz, the game was so popular that it garnered 400,000 users during a single day playtest in 2024.

MapleStory N players can issue, trade and manage in-game NFTs. Post-launch, the community can collaborate on content development, influencing the game’s evolution through creator tools. 

Henesys mainnet launch

Powering this universe is Henesys, a blockchain tailored for gamers. Built on Avalanche, it combines Nexon’s 20-plus years of anti-cheat expertise with Chainlink’s tamperproof randomness (critical for fair loot boxes). Transactions are free, fast and invisible during gameplay. No crypto wallets are required upfront. For MapleStory veterans, this offers a smooth gateway into web3, and for crypto natives, it brings a beloved gaming franchise on-chain.

Blockchain's role in the MapleStory Universe

The Henesys blockchain plays a crucial role in MSU’s development and execution. It provides sub-second finality and support for thousands of transactions per second (TPS), ensuring gameplay remains fluid and uninterrupted.

On top of that, the use of blockchain also enables players to own and trade in-game assets as NFTs. These NFTs are designed to be interoperable across every game that’s built in the MapleStory Universe, providing increased utility and value for these digital assets.

The game’s economy also relies on the decentralized nature of blockchains to create an ever-changing world. It incentivizes creators to design unique planets, each with its own tailored gameplay and social experiences, and rewards them with NXPC tokens for their contributions. 

NXPC Token

NXPC is the native utility token of MapleStory Universe, with a fixed supply of 1 billion. It functions as the reserve currency of the universe, and is used to link gameplay assets to the border ecosystem. 

The token’s initial distribution also reinforces its decentralized nature, as 80% of NXPC is reserved for contributor reward, with just 0.696% allocated for the team and 0.4% for advisors,

Source: Nexpace

Additionally, the team and advisors allocations also have vesting requirements. The team token has a structured vesting schedule with a 9-month cliff, followed by quarterly unlocks over the next three years. For advisors, there’s a 12-month cliff, followed by milestone-based vesting. 

Source: Nexpace

Trade NXPC on Bybit now

MSU’s franchise has generated $5 billion in revenue since 2003. The organization behind the game is focused on longevity, as opposed to a quick money grab. Crucially, blockchain technology has matured to an extent where it can deliver seamless gameplay, matching the smooth experience players expect from traditional platforms. 

Users can trade NXPC on Bybit Spot and Bybit Perpetual contract starting on May 15, 2025. From now through May 28, 10AM UTC, new and existing Bybit users can stand a chance to win from a prize pool of 9,000,000 NXPC by trading NXPC. Register for this event at Bybit Token Splash here. 

Simply log in or sign up for a Bybit account, and head to the NXPC/USDT Spot page or NXPCUSDT Perpetual contract page to trade with up to 20x leverage now! 

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