According to Forbes, MapleStory launched in 2003 as a free-to-play 2D side-scrolling MMO from South Korean studio Nexon and has maintained a dedicated player base for over two decades. The game’s 2010 “Big Bang” update dramatically overhauled graphics, interfaces, and gameplay speed to address declining retention. Now Nexon is launching MapleStory Classic World in 2026, recreating the pre-Big Bang experience on official servers to capitalize on nostalgia. Chief Product Officer Hanbyeol Oh, who directed the original Big Bang update and still plays actively, leads the Classic project. The game’s unique pixel art anime style and social experiences have helped it outlast countless competitors in the crowded live-service market.
Sponsored content — provided for informational and promotional purposes.
The forever game problem
Here’s the thing about live-service games – everyone wants one, but almost nobody can keep one alive. We’re talking about titles like Destiny, Call of Duty, and Fortnite that generate constant revenue while studios work on new projects. But for every success story, there are dozens of failures like Concord, Babylon’s Fall, and Lawbreakers that shut down within years.
And it’s not just other games they’re competing with. Think about it – when was the last time you spent hours grinding in an MMO versus scrolling through TikTok or binging a Netflix series? Our attention is fragmented across so many entertainment options that keeping players engaged for months, let alone years, has become nearly impossible.
Why MapleStory works
So how does a 2D side-scroller from 2003 keep going when flashier, bigger-budget games collapse? According to Oh, it’s about that unique identity. “There’s no game like MapleStory,” he told Forbes. “It’s pixel art and a side scroller – very unique and appealing.” That distinctive style creates a moat that prevents direct competition.
But here’s what’s really interesting – the game has actually evolved constantly while maintaining its core identity. Oh points out that while casual observers might think the art hasn’t changed, players who’ve been around for 20 years can see subtle shifts every three to five years. The colors became more pastel, the UI improved, the UX got smoother. It’s like that ship of Theseus problem – is it still the same game if every part has been gradually replaced?
The classic conundrum
Now Nexon faces the ultimate challenge: bringing back the “classic” experience without alienating current players. Oh is taking a surprisingly thoughtful approach. Instead of forcing another Big Bang-style overhaul on everyone, he’s creating a separate Classic World server. Current players keep what they love, while nostalgic veterans get their simpler, pre-2010 experience.
But here’s where it gets tricky – what exactly counts as “classic”? Oh admits he’s spending massive amounts of time playtesting and community-watching to understand player expectations. He’s even rebalancing classes from the original, since some were objectively terrible. Remember the fire poison mage being basically useless compared to the overpowered ice lightning mage? Yeah, they’re fixing that.
Listening versus leading
What strikes me about Oh’s approach is this balance between data-driven decisions and emotional intelligence. He could easily push through another Big Bang 2.0, but he recognizes that current players have emotional attachments to the modern version. Instead of bulldozing their preferences, he’s creating parallel experiences.
And that might be the real secret to MapleStory’s longevity. Most game studios either stubbornly refuse to change or pivot so dramatically they lose their soul. Nexon found that sweet spot – evolving just enough to stay relevant while maintaining the core magic that hooked players in the first place. In an industry where most games are lucky to last five years, that’s basically alchemy.
