MapleStory Universe concludes genesis test as it preps for NXPC token launch

Continuing to build momentum around its MapleStory IP based web3 ecosystem, Nexon’s Nexpace has released some key metrics from its MapleStory Universe genesis period.

Starting on 24th June 2024, this phase included two major pioneer playtests as well as the announcement of MSU‘s forthcoming ecosystem token NXPC. During this time, more than 972,000 unique active wallets (UAW) were recorded, as well as over 31.5 million onchain transactions.

In the second playtest, which ran between 20th November and 23rd December 2024, total UAW hit 506,000, with a peak of 241,000 daily active user wallets. 

In terms of retention, the numbers were equally positive. In its first test week, D+7, the game achieved a 54% retention rate. By day 32, D+32, the retention was 41%. 

A fundamental part to MapleStory Universe is its blockchain economy based around the NXPC token. Despite the token not being launched, nor having any set value yet, the game saw over 13 million trades taking place during this phase.

Currently, users are rewarded with in-game resources including NESO tokens. During the playtests, over 3.5 million NESO tokens were spent, 76% of the circulating supply. These were used to either enhance in-game items or as trade commissions. The developer sees this early engagement and trading as promising signs that players value in-game assets, “even without a fixed monetary framework”.

With this data in mind, Dominic Jang, the VP and chief business officer at Nexpace, is confident that the real opportunity for crypto is found within IP-driven web3 economies, which he describes as “a trillion-dollar industry still trapped in web2”.

Whereas previously existing only offchain, with “under-the-table” trading taking place, Nexpace is bringing the MapleStory IP onchain. With upsides like true ownership and transparent price discovery, Jang explains that the big benefit is that “value compounds as adoption grows”. 

Despite the web3 gaming sector currently looking bleak, Jang pinpoints multiple reasons to be bullish, not just on MapleStory Universe, but more broadly on future economies that are operating onchain.