Sophia Bennett
Crypto Analyst
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 14, 2026
MapleStory Universe (MSU), the blockchain‑powered expansion of Nexon's iconic MapleStory franchise, has marked its first anniversary since the launch of MapleStory N on May 15, 2025. In its opening year, the platform recorded over 150 million cumulative on‑chain transactions and surpassed 3.82 million registered accounts, and is now entering a new phase of growth under MSU 2.0.
A Year of Real, Measurable Growth
The numbers from year one are hard to ignore. The pre‑launch Scroll NFT campaign minted approximately 1.7 million scrolls, the largest NFT mint in Avalanche network history. On launch day, MSU‑related weekly active addresses on the Avalanche network surged by 549 percent. Since then, the marketplace has maintained strong daily activity, with more than 446,716 buyers and sellers transacting on average each day. MSU now accounts for 23.3 percent of total activity on the Avalanche network, a substantial share for any single platform. The native NXPC token launched simultaneously on seven major exchanges, including Binance, Bybit, Upbit, and Bithumb.
What Players Actually Did This Year
Sustained engagement, not just launch excitement, defined year one. The winter update alone brought in more than 130,000 user inflows, with roughly three‑quarters of those being new users. That same update pushed in‑game spending to its highest level since launch, with player spending outpacing rewards distributed, a sign of an economy that has found its own momentum. MapleStory N has also become easier to access for mainstream players, with Web3 features refined so they add value without getting in the way of the gameplay itself.
Sunyoung Hwang, CEO of NEXPACE, described the year plainly: "What began as one of the largest launches in Web3 gaming has developed into a platform built for long‑term participation. MSU has evolved beyond a single game into infrastructure for creation, commerce, and participation."
Introducing MSU 2.0
The next phase is built around a clear idea: turning IP from something players experience into something they can actively build with. MSU 2.0, rolling out across 2026 and 2027, centers on a new technology framework called VIBE IP. It gives builders access to gameplay and behavioral data from MapleStory N through dedicated APIs, turning the IP into a living, data‑rich foundation for new creations. A dedicated on‑chain builder economy will run on the Henesys chain, built on an Avalanche L1, streamlining IP licensing, revenue settlement, and payments into one system.
AI‑powered creation tools sit at the heart of this expansion. The idea is that anyone with a concept should be able to turn it into a real product, without needing deep technical knowledge. Over time, the VIBE IP framework is designed to support additional Nexon IPs, building toward what MSU describes as an AI‑powered, on‑chain IP multiverse.
What's Coming in Year Two
MapleStory N is heading into its second year with an accelerated content schedule. Players can expect a steady stream of major updates, including the highly anticipated Black Mage content. A new MVP system will also roll out, designed to recognize and reward dedicated players consistently over time, with plans to expand the criteria and rewards as the program matures.
Hwang put the vision plainly: "Our goal is to expand the role of IP from something people experience to something they can actively build with, share, and grow together, an infinite IP playground."
About NEXPACE
NEXPACE is an Abu Dhabi‑based blockchain company behind MapleStory Universe, a community‑driven IP ecosystem powered by blockchain technology and NFTs. Built on principles of transparency, security, and trust, NEXPACE creates collaborative digital environments where builders and players can create, share, and grow together.
Official Channels
Website: msu.io
Media Contact
Bee Shin, PR Manager
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