The legendary online game MapleStory is coming to the Avalanche blockchain in the form of a Web3-enhanced extension of the franchise.

MapleStory, a core intellectual property of Nexon Group, is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that has been played for over 20 years. It remains a cult favorite today.

Now it’s being regenerated on Avalanche.

MapleStory has broken barriers and has enduring appeal. Back when it was common for MMOs to use subscriptions, MapleStory bucked this trend and became perhaps the first online game to popularize the free-to-play model in a massive way.

The first game within the Web3-enabled MapleStory Universe will be called MapleStory N. Critically, MapleStory Universe on Avalanche will offer new user-generated content possibilities, elevating this trend employed by many leading Web2 games. Not only can players in the Web3 version of MapleStory build worlds, they can be rewarded for doing so.

Incorporating Avalanche allows MapleStory to expand its horizons. With the fuel of Web3 ownership and incentives, the already-expansive MapleWorld can grow even bigger, the companies say. Users can build out enticing new worlds, extend gameplay, and add their footprint to the MapleStory Universe.

The result: loyal Web2 gamers from across the world will get an expanded gaming experience on Avalanche, introducing them to the possibilities of Web3 gaming. Web3 games have yet to hit huge mainstream audiences. But a big franchise like MapleStory could create a tipping point.

Many of these possibilities will be unlocked by Avalanche’s custom features, Avalanche said. MapleStory Universe will be powered by an Avalanche Subnet tailored specifically to their ecosystem.

MapleStory Universe is part of a growing trend for game companies coming to Avalanche, as illustrated by Gunzilla, Shrapnel, TSM, Merit Circle, Pegaxy, DOS Subnet, and others. Subnets are being increasingly seen as rich interconnected ecosystems rather than as a custom home for just one game.

MapleStory Universe has migrated to Avalanche for the network’s security and how successfully Avalanche has onboarded and supported various Web3 games over the years. Additionally, launching a Subnet with AvaCloud allows MapleStory Universe to proceed without a separate implementation partner, providing greater convenience, more support options, and quick time to market. Simply put, Avalanche Subnets position MapleStory Universe to give players seamless Web3 features and gameplay.

“Our partnership with Ava Labs will allow us to build a stable and complete blockchain ecosystem, enabling us to securely service various dApps along with MapleStory N to amplify our competitiveness,” said Angela Son, MapleStory Universe’s partnership lead, in a statement.

“I can’t imagine a bigger opportunity in Web3 than what the Nexon Group is doing with MapleStory Universe, and we’re honored to power its next blockchain project with Avalanche,” said Ed Chang, head of gaming at Ava Labs, in a statement. “We’ve been extremely impressed with the vision since our first conversation, and the focus on long-term sustainability could easily onboard millions of users on-chain.”

MapleStory Universe aims to launch the PC MMORPG MapleStory N on Avalanche by the end of 2024.

Avalanche is a smart contracts platform that scales infinitely and regularly finalizes transactions in less than one second. Its novel consensus protocol, Subnet infrastructure, and HyperSDK toolkit enable Web3 developers to easily launch powerful, custom blockchain solutions. Build anything you want, any way you want, on the eco-friendly blockchain designed for Web3 devs.