We had the opportunity to talk with Miyoung Oh, Lead Game Designer for the MMORPG MapleStory 2 at Nexon Korea, about the successful online role-playing game. What makes MapleStory 2 such a hit on Steam and in the West?
MapleStory 2 started very successfully in the West last month. It is currently one of the most played MMORPGs on Steam. Lead Designer Miyoung Oh answered some questions regarding the game.
MapleStory 2 was not really developed as a sequel
Mein-MMO: MapleStory 2 has launched with great success in the West. Did you think the launch would go this well?
Miyoung Oh: We believe it is too early to evaluate the success of the game, as we have just launched. Many players are enjoying the game and sharing their opinions. We have been very transparent since the first closed beta and have communicated with our players, as there are many things we must think about to improve the player experience.
What is happening right now is important, but our goal is for this game to be enjoyed for a long time. We will do everything we can to ensure that players can maintain that good feeling.
Mein-MMO: Why did it take so long to develop a sequel to MapleStory? Part 1 was released over 15 years ago!
Miyoung Oh: It was not easy to make a sequel, as many players worldwide and not just in Asia enjoy playing MapleStory. The key was how to naturally coexist the two games in story and concept, as the world of MapleStory itself is constantly changing. We thought intensely about many things. For example, whether to maintain the feel of the original MapleStory or create a completely new type of gameplay feel.
After long considerations and attempts, we eventually presented the game in its current form. We are glad that many people accept it as a sequel, while also seeing it as a new game.
MapleStory is not meant to compete with its predecessor
Mein-MMO: What do you believe are the key features that make MapleStory 2 so successful in the West?
Miyoung Oh: MMORPGs convey a picture that is not easy to fulfill. You need to put in a lot of effort and invest countless hours.
The most important feature of MapleStory 2, however, is that anyone can register without feeling burdened by the genre. Players can enjoy various content and express their individuality, even though it is an MMORPG. Not only does MapleStory 2 have a lot of PvE content, but activities such as fishing, acting, and mini-games are also possible. Everyone can enjoy the game as they like.
There are also endless possibilities for character customization, which particularly appeals to our international players. We also placed a lot of emphasis on stability while preparing for the launch, and we believe this has helped a lot. Although there were many players at launch, we had no stability issues, and they could start in a pleasant gaming environment.
Mein-MMO: What approach did you take with the game to make it unique and not a competitor to its predecessor?
Miyoung Oh: The foundation itself, which becomes the basis of the title. This includes the camera view and graphics in which the games differ. We also had to consider the latest gaming trends.
We approached the development of the game as if we were making a completely new game. Therefore, we did not have to think too much about how MapleStory 1 could differ from MapleStory. We actually thought more about how we could give this “other game” the feel of MapleStory.
And we did this by further developing character customization and scenarios. We considered how we could transfer certain elements from MapleStory and how we could incorporate jumping or clinging to something into the controls. In summary, we tried to create an original game considering the latest gaming trends while maintaining or further developing the key elements that distinguish MapleStory from other MMORPGs.
A mix of sandbox and theme park needs good balancing
Mein-MMO: Players have a lot of freedom to do what they want and also to create what they want. This makes MapleStory more of a sandbox MMO than its predecessor. However, there are also theme park elements like quests and a story. How difficult is it to align these two aspects of the game, the sandbox and the theme park?
Miyoung Oh: The most challenging aspect was developing housing or UGC (User Generated Content) elements that naturally blend with MMORPG elements like quests and stories and motivate players to utilize them. Since they are the main elements of an MMORPG, enjoying the immersive scenario, leveling up, or becoming stronger, we thought a lot about how players could also enjoy the sandbox content.
It is such that players learn and master the basic sandbox elements through quests and scenarios. We reduced the barriers in many areas so that players can focus on and enjoy the sandbox content without much effort. We aimed to create a gaming environment that supports sharing and enjoying content created by other players.
Mein-MMO: A successful release is important for a new MMORPG, but it is also at least equally important to keep players engaged and entertained to stay successful. What plans do you have to maintain players’ interest in MapleStory 2 long-term?
Miyoung Oh: We have prepared many exciting new game contents that have not yet been shown to players worldwide. We are considering when and how we can introduce this content.
One of our main goals is to remain transparent and listen to our players. New templates were added to the Maple Workshop based on feedback from many players, and we have further developed the housing content. Players can look forward to a lot of interesting and new things we have prepared.
Mein-MMO: The game still struggles with some issues like gold sellers and players with “inappropriate” costumes they created themselves. How do you plan to address these issues?
Miyoung Oh: We are taking various measures against bots and spammers. We recently discussed in our Producer’s Blog the measures we have taken against more than 15,000 accounts. However, gold farmers continuously adapt their methods to counter our measures. We will continue to monitor them in real-time, implement various new systems, and act swiftly.
After discussions with Nexon America, internal criteria have been established regarding the sale of inappropriate UGC items, and the necessary steps will be swiftly introduced. We believe inappropriate UGC items must be addressed quickly.
At the same time, we also want players to feel free to express themselves and recognize that this UGC can be a fun and exciting content of MapleStory 2. However, we will refine and reshape all this from a systems and operational perspective as players are very interested in UGC.
Cultural differences in style
Mein-MMO: Some western players say on Steam or community websites that they feel somewhat uncomfortable playing because the characters look childish but can wear sexy clothing like fishnets or lingerie. This seems inappropriate to them, even though they like the gameplay and scenario of MapleStory 2. What do you think of such comments? Do you recognize this as a problem?
Miyoung Oh: We believe this is a cultural discrepancy. We have had many discussions with Nexon America about the artistic style and we do not see this as a problem, as the creator of the design had no such intentions. The characters are just a part of the Chibi art style.
Mein-MMO: Your game has such a joyful and cheerful atmosphere. At first glance, it seems to be a game for a younger audience, but it is also played by many adult men and women. Who do you see as the main target audience for MapleStory 2?
Miyoung Oh: I was involved in the development of MapleStory. At that time, we developed the game for college students in their early to mid-20s. But when it actually launched, it was the younger audience and even their parents who played the game. Some people even played with their families. I remember being very surprised by this back then. As this is a sequel, we thought everyone could enjoy this game freely. We would be very happy if this were the case for “Global MapleStory 2.”
Mein-MMO: Thank you very much for the conversation.
