[PRESS RELEASE – Abu Dhabi, UAE, May 14th, 2026]
MSU 2.0 to unveil IP expansion strategy, featuring AI creation tools and a unified on-chain content hub.
MapleStory N marks its first anniversary with major gameplay milestones, sustained ecosystem growth, and new updates to deepen player engagement.
MapleStory Universe (MSU), the blockchain extension of Nexon’s MapleStory franchise, today celebrates its first anniversary since launching MapleStory N on May 15, 2025. Over the past year, the platform recorded more than 150 million cumulative on-chain transactions and surpassed 3.82 million registered accounts, demonstrating steady participation from a global player base and ongoing ecosystem development.
Now entering its next phase, MSU will roll out MSU 2.0, an expansion that aims to reshape how intellectual property (IP), creators, and players interact in a shared digital environment. MSU 2.0 introduces AI-driven creation tools and enhanced on-chain infrastructure. Features will be developed and released progressively through 2026 and 2027 to support builders and broaden participation.
A Benchmark Launch That Set a New Standard
MSU’s May 2025 launch was among the largest debuts in the Web3 gaming space. The pre-launch Scroll NFT campaign saw roughly 1.7 million scrolls minted, the largest NFT mint recorded on the Avalanche network. On launch day, MSU-related weekly active addresses on Avalanche surged by 549 percent, underscoring strong user interest and anticipation.
The marketplace has maintained robust activity since launch, averaging more than 446,716 daily buyers and sellers. To date, MSU represents 23.3% of total activity on the Avalanche network, making it a significant share of transaction volume among leading chains. MSU’s native NXPC token was listed on seven major exchanges at launch, including Binance, Bybit, Upbit, and Bithumb.
Sunyoung Hwang, CEO, Nexpace, said: “What began as one of the largest launches in Web3 gaming has developed into a platform built for long-term participation. Over the past year we focused on building the infrastructure and discipline required to support our community for the long term. MSU has evolved beyond a single game into infrastructure for creation, commerce, and participation. That shift defines what it means for an IP to become an economic system and a foundation for the next generation of online worlds.”
Introducing MSU 2.0, the Next Chapter for MapleStory Universe
MSU 2.0 is designed to convert IPs from static assets into programmable, on-chain commerce and creative platforms. Its goal is to expand participation across the ecosystem and enable new forms of creation, distribution, and commercialization. This next phase advances MapleStory Universe from a single game environment to a scalable platform that supports diverse creators and experiences.
Hwang added: “MSU 2.0 is the next phase of our growth journey. Our aim is to expand IP from something people simply experience to something they can actively build with, share, and grow together—an infinite IP playground. Our priority is to build the infrastructure that will support a larger, more connected IP ecosystem.”
The foundation of MSU 2.0 is VIBE IP, a new technology stack built on two core pillars that redefine on-chain IP creation. The first pillar provides creators with access to gameplay and behavioral data from MapleStory N via dedicated APIs, turning IP into a living, data-rich foundation for new experiences while adhering to applicable privacy laws. The second pillar establishes an on-chain builder economy on the Henesys chain—an Avalanche L1—streamlining IP licensing, revenue settlement, and payments into a single, cohesive system.
These pillars are reinforced by blockchain infrastructure and AI-powered creation tools. Blockchain enables seamless on-chain licensing, payments, and settlements, while AI-assisted “vibe coding” helps turn concepts into full-scale products, lowering barriers for creators and enabling broader participation in IP-driven content. This approach positions MSU to onboard additional Nexon IPs over time, building an AI-enabled, on-chain IP multiverse. The VIBE IP tech stack will roll out in phases in the coming months.
MapleStory N One-Year Anniversary Update
MapleStory N, MSU’s flagship title, reached several milestones over its first year, indicating sustained player engagement. The year-end winter update brought over 130,000 new user inflows, about three-quarters of whom were new players. The update also pushed in-game spending to its highest level since the immediate post-launch period; player spending exceeded rewards distributed, supporting a healthier, more sustainable in-game economy driven by deeper engagement.
MapleStory N is now more accessible to mainstream players. Casual users can enjoy the game like a traditional MMORPG with fewer blockchain barriers, while Web3 features have been refined to deliver meaningful value without compromising gameplay. These improvements make adoption easier for a broader audience.
As MapleStory N begins its second year, the development team will accelerate content updates, expand gameplay, and introduce new challenges. Major releases slated for the year include the highly anticipated Black Mage update and other milestone content. MSU will also launch a new MVP system to reward dedicated players and sustain long-term engagement. The MVP program will expand over time with broader criteria and rewards so more players can be recognized and rewarded.
About NEXPACE
NEXPACE is a blockchain company based in Abu Dhabi that leads an IP-expansion initiative using blockchain and NFTs to build a community-driven ecosystem. Its mission is to redefine interactive entertainment by creating spaces for sharing, exploring, and engaging with content and gameplay crafted by community members.
Central to NEXPACE’s approach are transparency, security, and trust, empowering creators to share ideas freely and enabling users to enjoy immersive experiences. By fostering creative expression, NEXPACE aims to build a secure, collaborative environment that unites participants into a thriving digital community.