MapleStory N has been delayed. | Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
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Key Takeaways
The launch of MapleStory N has been delayed while the team works on “stabilization updates.”
The game and its airdrop claim page are unavailable in the U.S., EU, and approximately 50 other countries.
MapleStory N was built by Nexpace, a Web3-focused Abu Dhabi-based subsidiary of MapleStory’s South Korean parent company, Nexon.
The NXPC token has climbed 146% to $3.66 with a market cap of $636 million following the TGE at 7 am UTC.
The long-awaited Web3 revival of MapleStory, a beloved MMORPG, will take a bit longer than expected. Although the game’s token generation event (TGE) is moving forward, the planned May 15 launch has been delayed.
Adding to the frustration, many players have discovered they’re unable to claim their airdrop or access the game due to technical glitches and geo-restrictions.
The launch of the MapleStory Universe’s (MSU) flagship title, MapleStory N, has been delayed as the team announces the need for “stabilization updates.”
MapleStory Universe Service Stabilization in Progress. We are currently performing stabilization updates for the MapleStory Universe services.
The exact time of MapleStory N official launch will be further announced.
The launch was originally scheduled for 7 a.m. UTC, but the team was forced to delay it due to a technical failure, which they’ve attributed to unexpectedly high traffic. In a statement shared with CCN, the MSU team said:
“The overwhelming interest in MapleStory N exceeded even our best expectations, resulting in significantly higher traffic than anticipated. To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all players, we have decided to temporarily pause the rollout and expand our server capacity.”
Adding to the frustration, many players are only now discovering that the game is currently unavailable in the U.S., the European Union, and roughly 50 other countries.
MapleStory N has geo-restrictions. | Source: MapleStory Universe
It’s a tough spot for the game, especially with so much riding on the launch. As one of the biggest Web3 gaming releases to date, it carries the weight of the MapleStory name—a franchise that’s attracted millions of players and built a loyal community since 2003.
In traditional gaming, titles are often delayed, and there’s almost always a backlash and disappointment. This can hurt publishers in the long run as players’ faith in the developers and the studio diminishes.
Web3 games face an even tougher uphill battle, as a failure to launch will be cynically seen as a sign of things to come from an emerging Web3 gaming sector, which already has a serious reputation problem.
Then, there’s the matter of the MSU’s native utility token, NEXPACE (NXPC), and its geo-restricted airdrop.
NXPC Token Claim
Ahead of the TGE, players could earn airdrop allocation points by making community contributions to the MSU. However, not everyone who participated is eligible to make their claim.
In a separate post, the MSU team explains that some of its services, including the claim page, “may be delayed due to high traffic.”
In response to the technical issues, the team told CCN:
“We experienced a brief technical issue that temporarily disrupted the NXPC claim process. It has since been promptly identified and resolved by our technical team and the system is now functioning as intended.”
The community has expressed discontent, going as far as to call this another scam.
Adding to the frustration are the geo-restrictions limiting access to the claim page and the game itself. Clarifying the scope of these limitations, the team stated:
“Access to MapleStory Universe may vary by country, but we’re continuously working to bring the experience to more players worldwide. Our focus is on building a sustainable ecosystem, and we’re taking cautious and compliant steps to achieve this.”
The delays are likely stressing airdrop participants, as, since launching, the NXPC token has soared by over 146% to a price of $3.66.
For now, players eligible to claim will need to be patient and hope that MSU remedies the matter soon.
Eddie is a gaming and crypto writer at CCN. Covering the often weird and wonderful world of Web3 with an adoring, but skeptical eye.
Prior to CCN, Eddie has spent the past seven years working his way through the crypto, finance, and technology industry. He began with PR and journalism with Bitcoin PR Buzz and BitcoinNews.com, eventually working his way to become a copywriter with a dozen firms, including the likes of Polkadot before returning to journalism in 2023.
Having studied Radio production and journalism at University in the UK, Eddie spent a few years making podcasts and presenting on a local London radio station as he built up his writing chops.
A lifelong skateboarder, Eddie can often be found at the skatepark or touring the streets looking for something new to try. That, or kicking back playing JRPGs on his original PSP.
