Post by Morreion on Feb 19, 2011 10:35:24 GMT -5
MapleStory official site
MapleStory (Wikipedia)
MapleStory is a free-of-charge (with pay-to-play elements), 2D, side-scrolling massively multiplayer online role-playing game developed by the South Korean company Wizet. Several versions of the game are available for specific countries or regions, and each is published by various companies such as Wizet and Nexon. Although playing the game is free, character appearances and gameplay enhancements can be purchased from the "Cash Shop" using real money. MapleStory has a combined total of well over 100 million subscriber/user accounts in all of its versions. MapleStory North America (Global), for players mainly in North America and outside of East Asia, Southeast Asia and Europe, has over 10 million players. More then a million players have bought items in the cash shop.
In the game, players travel the "Maple World", defeating monsters and developing their characters' skills and abilities as is typical in role-playing games. Players can interact with others in many ways, such as through chatting, trading, and playing minigames. Groups of players can band together in parties to hunt monsters and share the rewards and can also collaborate together forming guilds to interact more easily with each other.
In December 2010 the game was completely revised in an event named the "Big Bang".
Nexon grows as MapleStory hits 7 million registered users (Massively)
"Our player base and revenues continue to expand, which tells us that gamers find that our free-to-play business model fits their play needs," said Nexon America CEO Daniel Kim.
MapleStory: The Big Bang!
Nexon has a lot of change in store for MapleStory players over the coming months. MMORPG.com's Carolyn Koh had the opportunity to check out some of the bright and shiny newness at this week's GDC Online in Texas. Nexon calls this winter's updates the "Big Bang" and it sounds like it's an apt description. Check out Carolyn's GDC Online report and then let us know what you think on our forums.
Nexon changes everything about MapleStory in one Big Bang! (Massively)
Includes a 1-minute video trailer.
MapleStory's Big Bang update takes a bow (Massively)
"Big Bang is going to completely change the way players enjoy MapleStory. We've been listening to our players and this complete overhaul of the game will implement major changes based on their input, making the game more current and modern, allowing them to experience new adventures in a game they know and love," said Nexon producer Crystin Cox.
1-minute trailer included.
MapleStory hits more than 136,000 concurrent players (Massively)
MapleStory has managed to set a new record for itself, with 136,000 players simultaneously active in the North American version of the game. That's nearly double the previous high-water mark back in July of 2009.
MapleStory developer destroys the world, then this interview (Massively)
The idea that MapleStory is a "kiddie" game is a misconception. The average age of our players is 19, and the game, while easy to get started in, is really quite deep. There are 15 classes, hundreds of skills, group play, competitive play, crafting, questing... really everything you expect from a robust MMORPG augmented by seven years of content updates. The art style is not dark, but we feel there is no age limit on the enjoyment one gets from beating up an adorable mushroom. If you enjoy ironically bent humor and pop-culture references, we think you'll find a lot to love about MapleStory.
Gears 'n' glory: MapleStory unveils the Mechanic (Massively)
Spread out over three significant updates, Big Bang started out with a game mechanics renovation in phase one and a pair of original classes in phase two, not to mention the addition of several new zones.
