MapleStory (Korean: 메이플스토리) is a free-to-play, 2D, side-scrolling massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) created by the South Korean company Wizet and published by Nexon. Different versions of the game are available in certain countries or regions, each published by different companies, including Nexon.
Players move through various worlds, such as Maple World, the Arcane River between worlds, and the extraterrestrial world of Grandis. They fight monsters and improve their characters' abilities, as is common in role-playing games. Players can chat, trade items, and join groups called parties to hunt monsters and share rewards. They can also form guilds to work together more easily. Players may visit the in-game "Cash Shop" to buy character appearances or game improvements using real money or in-game currency earned through activities.
In July 2010, the Korean version of the game received an update called the "Big Bang" patch. Other versions later received the same update. Later that year, the Korean version got the "Chaos" update, which added player versus player (PvP) battles and new character roles. A sequel called MapleStory 2 was released in July 2015. It uses updated 3D graphics and follows a similar storyline. As of 2020, MapleStory had over 180 million registered users worldwide and earned more than $3 billion in total revenue.
Plot
The story of MapleStory takes place in many different worlds, including Maple World, Arcane River, and Grandis. The Overseers, who have special powers, created these worlds. Each world has three guardians: the Transcendent of Time, the Transcendent of Life, and the Transcendent of Light. The first main story focuses on the Black Mage, who is the main enemy in Maple World. The Black Mage used to be the Transcendent of Light, known as the White Mage, but an experiment went wrong, corrupting his light core. Six heroes sealed the Black Mage for centuries, but they were also sealed away themselves. Now, the Black Mage's forces, the Black Wings, are returning and trying to bring him back. To stop the Black Mage, Empress Cygnus formed the Cygnus Knights to fight the Black Wings and the Black Mage's Commanders. As the seal on the Black Mage weakened, the legendary heroes started to return. After the Black Mage escaped, Cygnus formed the Maple Alliance, uniting Explorers, the Cygnus Knights, the Resistance, the six Heroes of Maple, and adventurers from other worlds.
The Alliance fought the Black Wings and won a big battle at Black Heaven. During this battle, a hero became the Adversary, a champion with divine power. Soon, the Black Mage made a new world called the Arcane River to destroy the current world and create a new one. The Adversary went through the Arcane River and fought the last of the Black Mage's Commanders. Then, the Alliance attacked the Black Mage to save their world. The Adversary successfully killed the Black Mage and saved Maple World from destruction.
After the Black Mage died, the story moved to Grandis, which had merged with Maple World because of the Black Mage's actions. Gerand Darmoor, the main enemy in Grandis, thought his race, the High Flora, was better than others and wanted to change all life to match his race. To stop Darmoor, groups from Grandis joined the Maple Alliance. After the Black Mage's death, the Alliance fought Darmoor and his followers.
Gameplay
MapleStory is a 2D scrolling platform game. Players control their characters using a keyboard and mouse. The keyboard is used for many actions in the game, and some functions can be changed to fit a player’s preferences. The mouse is mainly used to interact with non-player characters and manage items. Gameplay involves exploring dungeons and fighting monsters and bosses in real time. Players defeat monsters, complete quests, and earn in-game currency called "Mesos," experience points, and items. Players can choose in-game professions that allow them to create equipment, accessories, or potions.
Players can interact with others online in several ways. They can join parties to share loot and experience from defeating monsters. They can also form in-game marriages, which recognize two players as a heterosexual couple. Guilds are groups shown with a guild name listed under a player’s character name. Families are groups that include younger and older players. Players can increase or decrease their in-game "Fame" stat, which shows how popular they are, and compete in minigames like Gomoku or Concentration. They can also trade "Mesos" or other items with other players.
MapleStory characters exist in different worlds or servers. Players can create multiple characters in each world, but characters in different worlds cannot interact. Each world has similar content. Worlds are divided into channels, and players can switch between them freely. In December 2007, the ability to move characters between worlds was added to Global MapleStory, but with limits on items. This feature was removed in May 2012 because it affected gameplay negatively.
When creating a new character, players choose from nine class branches. Three classes do not have specific branches: Explorers (residents of Maple Island who travel to Victoria Island), Cygnus Knights (protectors of Maple World’s Cygnus), and Heroes (original heroes who fought the Black Mage). Other branches include Resistance (residents of Edelstein fighting the Black Wings), Sengoku (warriors from a Japanese-inspired region), Nova (dragon-like beings from Grandis), Flora (elf-like beings from Grandis), Anima (animal-like beings from Grandis), and Jianghu (residents of a forest-like continent). Sia Astelle, Zero, and Kinesis are classes without specific branches. Some classes are only available in certain regions or during specific times of the year.
Explorer characters start on Maple Island as a Beginner class. They can advance to one of five classes: Warrior, Bowman, Magician, Thief, or Pirate. After choosing a class, further progression is limited to that class, with advancements at levels 30, 60, 100, 200, and 260. Three classes under the Explorer branch—Dual Blade (Thief), Pathfinder (Bowman), and Cannoneer (Pirate)—are created differently.
Cygnus Knight characters begin as the Noblesse class in Ereve. At level 10, they can advance to one of five Cygnus Knight classes.
Six Hero classes are available: Aran, Evan, Mercedes, Phantom, Luminous, and Shade. These classes are connected to the Black Mage, the game’s antagonist. Aran uses a Combo System that allows them to generate special abilities by hitting monsters. Evan fights alongside a dragon. Mercedes uses dual bowguns. Phantom mimics skills from Explorer characters. Luminous uses light and dark magic. Shade is a forgotten hero who uses spirits in battle.
Resistance characters start in Edelstein, a town controlled by the Black Mage’s followers, the Black Wings. They begin as Citizens and can advance to four classes: Battle Mage (uses a staff), Wild Hunter (rides a jaguar with a crossbow), Blaster (uses an arm cannon), or Mechanic (uses a robotic suit). Demon and Xenon are separate classes. Demon characters can become Demon Slayer (uses blunt weapons and axes) or Demon Avenger (uses a weapon called the Desperado). Xenon is a cyborg who uses Whip Blades.
Three main continents exist in MapleStory: Maple Island, Victoria Island, and Ossyria. Maple Island is where players begin their journey. Victoria Island has eight cities and is where most classes start. Ossyria has seven regions with different environments: El Nath Mountains, Ludus Lake, Aqua Road, Minar Forest, Mu Lung Garden, Nihal Desert, and Temple of Time. Ereve and Rien are separate areas where new classes begin.
The Cash Shop is an in-game store where players use real money to buy virtual items like avatars, digital pets, and other goods. Most items from the Cash Shop have an expiration date. Players can also use a shop permit to set up a store in the Free Market, which is only available in the classic game mode.
Music
The main composer for MapleStory is NECORD (ASTERIA). In 2016, Nexon created its own music production team, ASTERIA, and a sound team, NECORD. These teams began making and releasing their own music and albums. In 2017, they recorded music with an orchestra in Budapest, Hungary.
The game’s music received positive reviews. Because MapleStory has been available for a long time, the music has helped players remember the game even after they stopped playing. Some songs, such as the music from Lith Harbor village, Eos Tower/Helios Tower in Ludibrium, Blockbuster: Black Heaven, Chu Chu Island, and Lachelein the Dreaming City, have been played on South Korean broadcast programs. The "Aquarium" music from the village of Aqua Road has been included in some South Korean music textbooks.
From 2006 to 2015, Studio EIM composed the music for MapleStory. Starting in 2014, official sound sources were released, beginning with the FriendStory and Blockbuster: Black Heaven projects. At this time, M2U, who was hired from Studio EIM, composed the music for Ariant Coliseum and Ereve.
In 2010, Kim Eun-bi, who was in the top 6 of Superstar K 2, became a Maple Girl, a promotional model for MapleStory. She released a song called "I'm My Fan," which was different from other Maple Girls’ songs. In 2015, professional singer Taru sang a song. From 2017, Second Moon performed songs at MapleStory offline events because they created music for the hologram musical Comic MapleStory in 2016. In 2018, Ha Hyun-woo of Guckkasten and the Guckkasten band began singing songs related to MapleStory. In 2021, Bewhy also sang a song.
S.I.D-Sound composed music for events such as the MapleStory 8th anniversary in 2011, the RED theme song in 2013, and the original soundtrack (OST) for FriendStory in 2014.
In 2015, SQUARE MUSIQ composed songs such as "Violeta Over Flowers," a promotion song, and the vocal for "Promise of Heaven," which is part of Blockbuster: Black Heaven.
In 2020, ESTIMATE and ESTi composed music for songs like some Yum Yum Island music, the theme for Adele, some Ristonia music, parts of Grand Athenaeum Episode VI: Sharenian Knights, and some Hotel Arcus music.
Development
MapleStory was first created and released in South Korea. By 2003, the game was adapted for ten different regions. When other companies publish the game in their areas, proxy blocks are used (except for the Korean version, which requires a KSSN). These blocks ensure players only access the version of the game specific to their region. In 2011, LevelUp! Games did not renew its agreement to adapt the game for Brazil.
An update called "Big Bang" was released for Korean MapleStory in July 2010. Other regions followed later. This update changed the game's main programming and many features. An update named "Chaos" introduced new character professions and player-versus-player combat.
In March 2015, an update called "Black Heaven" was released for Master's North American server. Players who registered before March 9 and logged in between March 11 and 14 received a free Ignition Pack after the update launched.
In December 2015, Nexon released the "MapleStory Reboot" update for North American servers. This update allows players to access the Reboot world, which has no trading, higher chances of receiving Meso, and equipment drops specific to each character's class. The monsters in Reboot are the same as in other worlds but have stronger stats and give more experience points.
In December 2016, the "5th Job Advancement" update was released. When players reach Level 200, they must complete special quests to unlock their 5th Job skills. These skills are divided into three categories: Shared Skills (used by all characters), Class-Specific Skills (used by certain classes), and Job Skills (used only by specific jobs).
In July 2022, Nexon released the "Destiny: Remastered" update for North American servers. This update updated the skills of all Explorer classes (except the newest class, Pathfinder), added new story content, and simplified existing storylines. A new boss named Kalos was also added to the game.
In October and November 2023, Nexon released the "6th Job Advancement" update, which introduced new skills for all classes. On April 16, 2025, Nexon America announced plans to create a Global MapleStory Classic World during its 20th anniversary event. According to Miyoung Oh, one of the game's original developers, the Classic World will recreate the early MapleStory experience while including modern improvements. Nexon America's Chief Product Officer, Hanbyeol Oh, did not provide a release date but said more details would be shared in the second half of 2025.
Players and revenue
In Global MapleStory (GMS), over one million players purchased items in the Cash Shop by 2010. By 2006, MapleStory had a total of 39 million user accounts worldwide. MapleStory Global had more than 8 million users by 2011. In 2014, it was among the top ten MMOs globally in terms of revenue. As of 2020, the game had over 180 million registered users worldwide.
Up until 2011, the game earned $1.8 billion. Between 2013 and 2017, the game earned $1.181 billion, including $326 million in 2013, $240 million in 2014, $253 million in 2015, $83 million in 2016, and $279 million in 2017. As of 2020, the game had earned over $3 billion worldwide in total revenue.
Microtransactions legal penalties
In 2024, Nexon was fined 11.6 billion won (8.9 million dollars) for breaking South Korea's Consumer Protection in Electronic Commerce Act. It was claimed that Nexon changed how often certain items appeared in the game MapleStory without telling players. At that time, this was the largest fine given for breaking this law. It was also Nexon's second time breaking the law, after a 2018 fine related to its game Sudden Attack.
Related games
MapleStory DS is a game inspired by MapleStory and is designed for one player to play alone. It was released for the Nintendo DS on April 15, 2010, in Korea.
MapleStory: Thief Edition and MapleStory: Cygnus Knights Edition were single-player versions of MapleStory released for iOS devices in 2011. Each game allowed players to choose only one or two character types. In Thief Edition, players could only play as the Thief. In Cygnus Knights Edition, players could only play as the Blaze Wizard or the Dawn Warrior.
MapleStory – The Girl's Fate is a separate game for the Nintendo 3DS and is designed for one player. It features a new character named Mugi. The game was released on April 25, 2013, in Korea and Japan. It is called Maplestory: Girl of Destiny internationally, following a fan-made English translation.
MapleStory M is a mobile game released for iOS and Android devices in South Korea in October 2016. It was later released outside of South Korea on May 28, 2018.
The sequel, MapleStory 2, was released in Korea on July 7, 2015. Unlike its predecessor, MapleStory 2 takes place in a 3D world made of small blocks, often viewed from an angled perspective.
MapleStory R: Evolution is a mobile role-playing game that combines idle gameplay with RPG elements. It was officially released in Southeast Asia on July 28, 2023, and uses a vertical screen layout. The game’s launch included live events in Malaysia and Vietnam.
MapleStory Universe is a collection of games that use cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. MapleStory N, which is part of MapleStory Universe, was launched globally in May 2025.
Media adaptations
The Japanese anime series titled MapleStory ( メイプルストーリー , Meipuru Sutōrī ) was created based on the game and produced by Madhouse. It was shown on TV Tokyo from October 7, 2007, to March 30, 2008, and had 25 episodes. The story follows a warrior who travels to restore a world tree.
Nexon America introduced a MapleStory trading card game on November 6, 2007. Nexon Korea and Nexon Japan later released similar trading card games, while Nexon America stopped offering this service.
Nexon launched a public beta version of MapleStory Adventures on July 27, 2011, as a version of the game designed for Facebook. The game was mainly a single-player experience but included goals and themes from the original MapleStory, such as creating an avatar, fighting monsters, and completing quests. This version was no longer available after July 31, 2013.