Introduction to the Economic System of Web3 MapleStory N: Revealing the Mechanism of Equipment Quantity and Enhancement Pricing.

Web3 version of MapleStory Universe, organized by MapleStory N, was introduced by Keith, the Chief Strategy Officer, at this year’s Game Developers Conference (GDC). The presentation focused on the game’s in-game economy model, discussing the total quantity of items and the pricing of enhancements. It also aimed to provide reference for future developers who intend to build other MapleStory game worlds.

Table of Contents
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Introduction to the MapleStory N Economy System
Key Setting 1: Limited Resources
Destruction of Rewards Experience with Infinite Resources
How to Set Total Quantity of Items: Based on Usability
How to Distribute Items: Transparent Stack Design for Rewards
Key Setting 2: Variable Pricing
Adjusting Enhancement Costs According to Demand
Economic Model Still in Rolling Testing Phase
MapleStory Universe is expected to have multiple game content components. In addition to the officially operated MapleStory N world, players are expected to see game worlds and equipment created by other players. This is achieved through User-Generated Content (UGC) and Mod modules, maximizing user reward experience.

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Reason for Recommendation: This article introduces MapleStory Universe from a macro perspective, discussing the overall business model and game positioning. It also explains how the MapleStory team integrates the concept and background of MapleStory with blockchain, providing a better understanding of the design context behind this article.

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This article will focus on discussing the in-game economy system of MapleStory N, specifically how it incorporates the economic principles of the real world by utilizing the elements of quantity and time. This makes the game more realistic and enhances the reward experience (RX) to ensure the sustainability of the game.

Keith stated that the structure of most MMORPGs is based on the proportionate infinite generation of items according to the number of users and game time. While this structure may be suitable for single-player games, it is not suitable for multiplayer games with market attributes.

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In a structure where items are infinitely generated, it is difficult to maintain the value of assets and player reward experience (RX), which will limit the core fun of MMORPGs. If the value of items earned through the player’s time and effort depreciates over time, the motivation for players to continue investing time and effort in the game will decrease, similar to the consequences of hyperinflation.

In contrast, in the real world, from the air that everyone does not consider rare, to water, and even diamonds that are considered very rare, although the degree of rarity varies, everything is a limited resource in terms of quantity.

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MapleStory N resources are limited according to rarity
Keith believes that the quantity of items in the game should also be limited, and their value should be evaluated based on scarcity and demand.

In MapleStory N, items can mainly be divided into four categories: equipment, decorations, consumables, and characters, all of which will be tokenized. Among them, equipment is the focus of most game value and is implemented using ERC-721 tokens. This article will focus on this type of item.

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MapleStory N in-game item categories
Now it is necessary to determine the total quantity of each item, which is the most critical part of game economics. The team currently does not have a clear answer, but during the closed beta testing phase, they will verify assumptions and conduct iterative testing to determine the four important factors for setting the total quantity of items: peak player quantity, rarity not hindering gameplay experience, item usability, and relative demand.

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Factors to consider when determining the quantity of MapleStory N in-game items
First, it is necessary to determine the peak player quantity, which can only be obtained closer to the game’s release. The most recent test had 400 players.

The second factor is to ensure that there are enough necessary items to meet the expected number of players. In the MapleStory game, equipment is the most important, as it significantly affects the player’s gameplay experience and progression. The team will repeat this process for each item category mentioned above to determine the total quantity of items.

Once the total quantity is determined, it is necessary to consider the quantity of equipment for each level group. The team refers to the design of traditional MapleStory games and sets the quantity ratio for each level group based on the length of item usage. Items that are only used for a short period have a smaller total quantity, while those used for a longer period have a higher weight. For example, assuming that the level limit for using a certain equipment is between level 10 and 20, its total quantity will be less than that of another equipment with a level limit of 50 to 150 because the latter has a longer usage period.

Finally, relative demand needs to be considered. For example, throwing stars can only be used by thieves such as Night Walkers and Night Lords, while weapons like two-handed swords are more versatile. The team expects that the demand and competition for versatile items will be higher and adjusts the weight accordingly.

Therefore, it can be expected that the equipment in MapleStory N will show the following situations: profession-specific equipment will be less than versatile equipment, and top-tier equipment with long-term usability may not have a very limited quantity.

The development of game content and technology is no longer an issue. The main focus now is the consideration of the economic system. MapleStory Universe is expected to spend most of the next six months on this aspect.

After setting the total quantity, the next step is to think about how to distribute items fairly. Traditional games have unlimited resources, so there is no reference.

MapleStory N distributes items using a reward stack design. The system periodically allocates a certain amount of items to monsters and bosses, and players can obtain the corresponding quantity of items by defeating them. The reward update cycle for regular monsters is more frequent compared to bosses and can be every 20 minutes or even a week.

However, if a powerful boss (such as the Black Mage) has not been defeated by players or if monsters in a certain area have not been cleared by players for a long time, the rewards will still be periodically distributed and accumulated until a future player successfully challenges them. In that case, the player will receive more rewards, encouraging players to explore more areas.

The reward stack behind all monsters is transparent and real-time, and all players can obtain this information.

Another key factor is pricing. Keith and the team believe that having an in-game store that accepts fiat currency will lead to inflation of game equipment and ultimately reduce the gaming experience. Therefore, in MapleStory N, there will be no fiat currency store, and players cannot directly purchase equipment with fiat currency. They can only enhance their equipment by using the in-game currency they earn.

However, from the recent videos released by the team, it seems that players may be able to purchase equipment using the in-game cryptocurrency NESO.

The goal of MapleStory N is to adjust the price of enhancing equipment according to demand. If the demand for enhancing a certain item is low, the enhancement cost will decrease. Conversely, if many users are enhancing a certain item, the enhancement cost will increase. The price fluctuates based on whether the enhancement demand exceeds the weighted average, reflecting the pricing mechanism in the real-world economy.

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The price rises when someone enhances equipment and falls back over time when no one enhances it
The MapleStory Universe team has tested this “demand-driven pricing model” multiple times, and testers have stated that it requires new strategic thinking during gameplay because the enhancement price constantly changes according to demand. This demand is not only personal but also requires observing the needs of other players.

This mechanism will prompt players to consider whether they should spend money to enhance popular equipment or look for alternative equipment with lower enhancement demand to save costs and achieve their goals faster.

Keith stated that during the closed beta testing, he saw some players buying a large number of cheap equipment, enhancing them, and then selling them on the market after upgrading them, earning considerable profits. The team hopes to reduce such information asymmetry.

The in-game economy model of MapleStory N is largely complete, but there are still many parameters that need continuous experimentation and optimization. It also requires longer-term testing rather than being finalized.

However, this information is not without value. The results and considerations from these internal team tests are shared with the community. When players construct their own game worlds in the future, they will face the same issues. It is expected to reduce the likelihood of failure and create a successful game economy.

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Further Reading
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Reflecting on 2021 and Looking Forward to 2022! Perspectives of Ten Taiwanese Game Industry Professionals on the Game Industry and Blockchain Games