MapleStory Play Now

Quit Maplestory and never play another Nexon title ever again. I did that years ago, problem solved.

@saitama: perhaps im in the middle, not very funded but still been playing. But what I really wanted to say was that there was an event where nexon said that ppl returning would get but people who were active also got it. So that is confusing and annoying at the same time. And that is a result of their mismanagement.

Sorry if this has been said, I just happened upon this thread (I dont play anymore). It makes sense for Nexon to reward those who come back after a long time of not playing as opposed to loyal players because as a returning player who has next to nothing, would you rather be given some items to help you get back into the game? Or return to see that players who have been playing far longer and who are already funded and familiar with the game are getting even more benefits?

@modsaredumb: Ah, perhaps I was not around when Nexon was helping loyal players. highly unlikely I am able to move on because I take care of a major guild. I am indeed unhappy with Nexon, I am both dissatisfied by the customer service and more to our community manager. The change is not for the better. Artasi would have stayed if his paycheck was better, and he been a great person in the maple community. That paycheck was a result of the failures of nexon and unable to hold onto someone of greater value and instead now we have dropped down a couple of steps for our current CM.

Sorry but that is doing way more harm than good.

A brief Maplestory history lesson here:
After the Big Bang update, Nexon did in fact start prioritizing the loyal players. They did so and found that they got more money per person that way and they kept supporting them. Years go by and the Tempest/Unlimited update hits to create the biggest and most drastic example of catering to the loyal and hardcore players. Then everyone wonders "where did the playerbase go?". The game nearly died because they gave more help to the loyal players than they did the new and casual. GMS was getting pretty close to being shut down, though it would've taken another year or two before it gets serious consideration.

Nexon realized this at the start of the RED update and started changing their business practices to start prioritizing the new and casual players than to the loyal with free cubes, better equips, etc. But all that did was slow the bleeding, the game wasn't going to survive. Then they went live with the Reboot Update and that was the turning point for the game and Maplestory has been on a (slow) up-climb since then. Reboot was the update when they stopped catering to the hardcore altogether and began taken far better care of the new/casual players so that they would stay. Today, the game is doing FAAAAAAR better than it did before Tempest and Unlimited. They definitely are not going back to make that mistake again.
A brief psychology lesson here:
Do you know where "fun" comes from? According to studies it doesn't come from happiness and highly positive experiences. Nor does it come from agitating or overwhelmigly negative experiences either. Rather, it comes from a blend of both to create a smooth, balanced challenge according to your skill levels. That well-balanced challenge creates fun.

Now how can anybody have fun if they keep upping the already terrifyingly humongous power gap between the loyal players and the new/casual? New players get to Horntail and Von Leon and they can't do anything else without paying hundreds to reduce the power gap and they just leave. The loyal/hardcore players do nothing but repeat the same 5 bosses every single day with the same people (or none at all) because there aren't enough new players who want to get into the end-game for what it costs.
As for the unhappy employees, I don't see how that is related to the point you're making. Almost comes off as a clickbait title. There are a LOT of terrible companies out there and they make bank screwing over their employees. It's not some new concept that just came out. I just quit my job because of terrible employee treatment, but hey eventually things come back to bite them in the ass, just like their Maplestory priority of direction did and they nearly bit the dust.
Not to sound offensive, but if you aren't going to take legal action against them, don't try rallying people up to try to do it for you. Those screwed over employees have already moved on. If you're unhappy with Maplestory and Nexon, you should too.

@ericmart: If you're concerning yourself only with that reward then I believe that you are right. Nexon should have been more clear about that. But I don't think giving people who are active free royals would really do anything (they already did before for the Heroes of Maple box). I stand by their using it as an incentive for returning players, and I think that they should just apologize to those who accidentally got them and take it back, explaining that it was a mistake on their part.

However, what I was focusing on was your ramblings on Nexon as a company. That is a pill that I can't swallow.

I'm not sure about all the rewards. After my vacation I realized that Maplestory just wasn't for me anymore, so I stopped really caring for it as much as I used to, which I guess throws me out of the loop.

@helpingly: you focused too much regarding loyal players. You have to realize that because you're less active on maple you don't know what went on. I'll explain. So people who were ACTIVE AND LOYAL, or maybe i should've just used ACTIVE rather than LOYAL. But loyal comprises activity. so, active people also got a reward which was meant for inactive players. it was very unclear and there were no requirements clearly stated to receive such rewards. Some active players also received such rewards and as a result people are dissatisfied by this. If nexon would clearly state the preqs for the reward that would ease up the confusion.

please check this post to keep yourself updated with maplestory

http://www.basilmarket.com/Free-Royal-Face-and-other-nx-Thread-b5JEb

the way you viewed it changed the main focus. I should've been more clear that I wanted to focus on that reward given all the mishaps regarding it. but i prolly dragged on about the company itself and what not. Since, I believe the mishaps was because of the company, and yes most likely it was.

@ericmart: It's not so much about helping "poor" players than it is helping those new to the game get a better start. Some people are so far ahead at this point that new players just don't see any way they can catch up.

This mentality was why Reboot was so successful. It gave an even playing field for everyone since there was no trading and no inherent advantages. However, people in Reboot have gotten so strong that it has almost become like all of the other servers, which is why people who just want to play casually and enjoy the content can no longer do so.

As I said before, the game won't get fixed just because Nexon rewards it's loyal players.

@genostigma: and also there were no set requirements in order to receive this package. It doesn't state 6 months inactive so its very unclear. And also because active players also received this gift.

And this problem was a result of bad communication, random events and that was because of people who are managing such events.

This one got a little bit off topic but it seems to me that the OP is basically asking why some people got the reward and why some didn't? I would have to agree as well (it's why I did a live chat) because of what it looks like it seems to be a package aimed for a lapsed-player base.

@helpingly: I get that helping the poor is better but I disagree when it comes to Nexon and I won't go further into that.

"Well, since it is a game THEY MUST EXPAND THEIR MARKET, which is something they are trying but failing to do." yes, that is my point, they are trying to bring these players back but it is a fail. And look at our current people in management compared to back then. CM Artasi is in a much better place and he contributed tremendously to the maple community. Our current CM, I personally think is slacking beyond measurement.

I also have to say that for different cases people quit maplestory because they found an inactive guild, failure to continue fighting for what is right, and simply gave up.

@rtyu: exactly, I am jealous of these packages because we did not get anything and yes it will cause more ppl to leave the game. However given my circumstances, it is quite unlikely to quit the game as a guild leader who contributes daily to a very active guild. So, basically I am stuck with just dealing with this unjust-- so my option would be to fight for it. And that will be my only option.

@readers: Much thanks.

I remember the last time this came up

Nothing happened

@helpingly: On the last point, a quick Google search will come up with results like this:

https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Reviews/NEXON-gaming-industry-Reviews-EI_IE143099.0,5_KH6,21_IP8.htm
(Basil's derping up the links; just copy and paste them)

This includes a summary of salaries reported by those who work at Nexon: https://www.glassdoor.ca/Salary/NEXON-US-Salaries-EI_IE143099.0,5_IL.6,8_IN1.htm

I think anyone can say those things though, it doesn't necessarily mean that it fully represents what Nexon does or that all employee experiences will be the same. It's more likely that disgruntled employees will be more likely to use these kinds of websites to express discontent with their (former) employers, including those at Nexon. There may be some factual basis to those claims: Glassdoor can be seen as a fairly reliable data point for gauging estimates for salaries for a particular position if not used as the absolute expected guideline. It definitely is not the same as working at a much more reputable company like Google or Apple, for instance (even though there's clear reasons why that would be the case). However I don't feel like they're part of the discussion that OP is trying to promote. Nor do I think it means that Nexon is "corrupt" in any way.

@ericmart: You said it yourself, the loyal fanbase isn't enough to keep the game running (people who are "loyal" to maplestory aren't a really big community anymore)

And that is precisely the reason why Nexon is trying all of these things to attract new people. In order to gain that revenue that will hypothetically fix everything they must first find a bigger market for their product. It's simple economics. Rewarding players who are "loyal" will only keep an already thriving community even better off?

To put it into perspective for you, let's put it like this. If America wanted to reach a better, more equal economic state, what you're technically proposing is giving money to the one percent, since they control the vast majority of American wealth. However, that doesn't do anything to solve the problem, it is helping the poorer people and the middle class that will best achieve that better sense of income equality

(Now I have no intention of being political, and I recognize that analogy I made above may be a little exaggerated, but it's exaggerated to maintain and exemplify my point).
Also, I read in another comment of yours saying that we should be rightfully taking what is ours as players of this game, and that people who don't do so are just inactive. You have to keep in mind that most of the people who have become inactive are only inactive because the game itself doesn't appeal to them anymore. I myself am now inactive after several faithful years. Why did I become inactive? Because I got bored of the game itself and I have changing interests. Don't insult people because they have an opinion. (Inactivity is nothing to be ashamed of; after all, it is a game, if you're not having fun [like many of the people who have became experienced] then there is no reason to play or take any legal action).

My whole point is that rewarding the people who are loyal won't do anything for Nexon as a whole. I don't see how Nexon rewarding players will improve the way they treat their employees. For me that is where the major dilemma exists. The only way for Nexon to improve their relationships with their employees is if they make more money as a whole. How do you do this? Well, since it is a game THEY MUST EXPAND THEIR MARKET, which is something they are trying but failing to do.

(I now realize that I'm being redundant so I will stop my ramblings).

P.S. Where did you get this idea that Nexon was underpaying their employess? (besides the fact that some people left, which may or may not have anything to do with Nexon)

@ericmart:

Gather up other enthusiastic players of the game and show Nexon you guys exist and that they should care. In this age of social media and internet video, it's the best thing you can do as a fan.

I liked MS since it was so interesting to me. I never spend money on f2p games and thought people should not worry about the revenue of any f2p game since they're a cash cow sort of game offering pricey virtual items in exchange for a moment of fun. Lately I think the game was a stale, addictive, non-evolving monopoly as years past by like junk food/drink products.

@burning: they can easily just give us a better event or reward for playing. And how would I be able to fight for my game?

@readers: employee experience does relate to company profit, they are not receiving bonuses because the company is not making money. they are also paid less and that is factual.

@ericmart:

I asked of you a legitimate question for any idea or ideas you may have to improve Maplestory including not just a solution, but what it will cost. If you are going to fight for your game, then fight for it instead of whining about the problems. Your OP and replies are nothing more, but wordy complaints.

@ericmart: Since you profess us as being trolls and you are even asking for others to consider legal action, I will just direct you to Nexon's Terms of Service:

"NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY HEREIN, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOU SHALL HAVE NO OWNERSHIP OR OTHER PROPERTY INTEREST IN YOUR ACCOUNT, AND YOU FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT ALL RIGHTS IN AND TO THE ACCOUNT ARE AND SHALL FOREVER BE OWNED BY AND INURE TO THE BENEFIT OF NEXON."
http://www.nexon.net/legal/terms-of-use/

Therefore this game is not "yours" nor "ours". But since all you're doing is reacting via your emotions and feelings without even bothering to try to understand the big picture, nor are you even properly responding to any of our responses (employee experiences =/= company profit), there is no discussion to be had here.

@burning: w.e you guys seem to not want a better playing experience. you should fight what is rightfully ours. This game is ours so lets take it home. Or you can also just be trolling now and giving me all the technicalities which wouldn't effect you since you're probably inactive anyways.

@readers: nexon is trying to make money by using these methods but they are not working. I can confirm that is the case through the events that happened. The CM Artasi left nexon to find a better pay check and from the glassdoor reviews you can see inside the company itself.

Everything GMS has is most likely copied from KMS. We're being used.

Been a mistake since we probably did not realize, when we first started this game that GMS was a subsidiary to KMS.

@ericmart:
>the way they are maintaining maplestory is extremely lazy and they really slacking it

Obviously, but what's your pitch? Your post and replies boil down to a customer service complaint.

I'm looking at the bigger picture, the same one the company executives are going to look at. The way I see it, Maplestory can receive no future updates and it would still be profitable. The current strategy works. If the game stops being profitable, then I'd close it and focus my market strategy on the many other profitable games I have.

Why should I care to improve Maplestory when virtually all my other business options are better?

@ericmart: "It is just nexon trying to make money but they really aren't making money."
I don't understand this statement at all - unless you can confirm that is the case. I'm pretty sure if it didn't, they would have already stopped doing it.

The rest of your criticisms have already been addressed above in previous posts.

@readers: Well, people who have been loyal aren't receiving these benefits, why not just include it to everyone? It is just nexon trying to make money but they really aren't making money. Which is leading to crappy jobs being done. Like as of recently, most of the maintenance they include that they fixed a chat typo, and what not. Like they aren't getting to the main issues that needs to be fixed.

A crappy job is done also because we're playing a game that is run by KMS. That was our biggest mistake. We're not playing a game run by a company devoted to help their player base, they just take everything from kms. back then when i was younger I did not realize that Nexon had KMS or GMS was a smaller division... Too late now i guess...

@burning: the way they are maintaining maplestory is extremely lazy and they really slacking it. We need to start pressuring em to work harder. Finding better people like better managers. People who are actually going to care about our complaints.

Nexon in its global entirety is doing fine. In-fact, the company is quite profitable. Nexon's main focus has always been in the Asia region due to how that region embraces F2P games. There's little incentive to grow the North American operations hence the poor Glassdoor reviews.

Maplestory is not Nexon's only game. It's been a very minor title in their portfolio for years. Yet, Maplestory is actually extremely profitable for how cheap it is to maintain. There's virtually no business incentive to meaningfully improve the product when those few, deeply invested customers are going to part their money anyways. Sure more sales volume would be nice through increased player numbers who individually spend less, but then you also have to spin up more server resources. Any reasonable and obvious business decision can be ragged for greed. However, there's nothing corrupt, illegal, or evil with regards to how Nexon maintains Maplestory.

@ericmart: I think to take a chance on those people staying is much better than to not take a chance on them at all. There has been a lot of new content that has come out over the past several years that would make it more likely for some certain individuals to continue playing long after. Who's to say that those people (including myself as part of that group) won't continue to play? Yeah, some will leave, but that doesn't mean that ALL of them will leave.

I think one of the most telling signs of any MMO dying is when they stop giving updates to the game. Even if those updates comprise of things like Miracle Time events, giveaways to returning players - that's a lot better than nothing. They don't need to cater to loyal players in that way because they know they're still going to be playing no matter what and that they will still buy things no matter what. But especially given the declining player-base, to only cater to those who are loyal is not going to be enough to sustain a game, especially one on a scale like MapleStory.

I think ultimately though, that given MapleStory's age and the outdated software that has been coded from a bygone era, this is another case where if they want to continue their sustained success of years past, they would ultimately have to create a new updated version of the game (which they have done with MapleStory 2).

@readers: but i dont think it makes sense to reward people who alrdy left. they left since they found something better or they were unable to play. It is a waste of resources to use on people who decided to quit maple and highly unlikely they will be returning to stay.

Instead, they should focus on finding new players and also treating members who were loyal. But ofc, nexon itself as a company is not making money which ultimately leading to crappy events, unorganized and random stuff. Like for example given today they randomly announced double miracle time and the cube bunch sales.

I think that giving stuff to people who already left is a futile effort since it is their loss.

@ericmart: But that doesn't have anything to do with what @helpingly is saying though.

In that case, it doesn't have anything to do with underpaying workers or the state of Nexon as a company. It's the fact that Nexon relies on the profit of new players in order to turn any profit. This goes for any game in general, especially one like MapleStory.

MapleStory as a game isn't as popular as it used to be. So it would make sense that Nexon would keep on doing this stuff in order to attract new players back into the game. The more players, the more profit they can generate.

@helpingly: Loyal players are more like people who probably are active in the community in itself. Whether it be on forums or etc, they should not just randomly reward people in the prospect of trying to earn money in doing so. BY rewarding people who already left the game makes no sense. They left the game cause they weren't able to sustain playing, whether it be casual or competitively. They just didn't have time to play.

However, when people who are actively playing regardless of rewards or not see this dirty strategy nexon is playing brings distaste and will eventually lead to a even smaller community.

You have to realize the loyal players are the one who is keeping maplestory up atm.

With this loyal fanbase, the money they making is still not enough. They are underpaying workers, not giving out bonuses and in return maplers are seeing a crappy job done.

The biggest flaw I can see in this argument is your assumption that "Nexon should focus on the loyal players and the current community they still have by rewarding them"

You have to keep in mind that this loyal fanbase already generates a set amount of revenue for Nexon, and it's not like giving these people benefits will change anything. Lets say that a loyal player of Maplestory does spend a lot of money on the game, Nexon rewarding that individual will not increase how much money he spends.
Instead, proper business mechanics dictates that in order for Nexon to survive, they need to expand their market and reach people that have fallen out with the game. It is this target market that can actually make a change in Nexon's profit margin. Why? Because now you have a lot more people who previously spend 0 dollars on the game now spending maybe 100 or so dollars. In the long term, the profit garnered from this will be a lot more than the solution you are trying to provide.

Also, a lot of people "quit" Maplestory because of a lack of strong community. If Nexon were only to reward those who have played the game for a while, it would mean that newer players would feel less welcome and eventually leave, eventually leaving a small community of "loyal" followers. This would make the game feel even more "dead" overall.
Now, I'm not saying that Nexon is entirely blameless. There are many issues that they are having that should be easily fixable, yet they fail to fix it. However, I don't think that you analysis of the situation is correct. Maplestory received a huge boost in players because of Reboot. Why? Because it offered people a sense of nostalgia to a time of old Maplestory.

tl;dr : I think Nexon should try to continue to focus on attracting newer players than the OP's suggestion of just rewarding those who are loyal (I'm not saying that those who are loyal shouldn't get rewards, just that that group of individuals isn't the group Nexon should be catering the most to)

I think the Maple economy is more hurt by illegal activities such as hacking, botting, abuse of glitches, etc.

I can't say anything else about the state of Nexon as a company, although a quick Google search does bring up some of the same things regarding underpayment of employees and etc. But it's still a reputable company. I do find some of their attempts to engage in the community to be a little strange though - there is a sense of detachment between what players want and what Nexon thinks players want when it comes to GMS in particular.

I still think Activision is the worst overall personally.

Just a shame they can't seem to do right despite the efforts. Still no regret about quitting either! Whenever I get a new computer; still not coming back honestly. All my characters and new ones are now part of my stories now, no longer restricted by terrible programming, bad server connections, or nonsensical reasoning over idiotic optimizations!

i hope they drop dirty bomb so it gets a somewhat competent anticheat