Introduction

MapleStory is a free-to-play, 2D side-scrolling MMORPG that was developed by Wizet and released in 2003. In the game, players travel around the Maple World to hunt monsters for experience, gaining levels and improving their skills and abilities in the process. They also obtain need weapons and armour from a variety of sources such as quests, monsters and boss monsters in order to become stronger. Inside the game, they are also able to use cash, which is obtained using real life currency, to buy cosmetics and also items that will improve their gameplay.

Gameplay Demo

Official MapleStory (Southeast Asia) website: http://www.maplesea.com/

The Elemental Tetrad (Lens #9)

Mechanics

• Movement — 2D side-scroller where characters have skills that aid in their movement as well
• Class system — multiple characters with different classes (warrior, bowman, magician, thief, pirate)
• Monsters — Players kill monsters to get experience and level up
• Leveling system — each level provides the character with new skills and abilities to improve on
• Gears — killing monsters and completing quests give the players new equipment to become stronger
• Quests — In-game quests help introduce players into the world and give them rewards at the end
• Cash Shop — real-life currency is used here to obtain cosmetics worn over in-game equipment, or various enhancements to improve gear
• Trading — Players are able to trade with one another using the in-game currency (“mesos”)

Story

• Main story — the main antagonist, the “Black Mage”, was sealed away years ago by six heroes, and the Empress Cygnus enlists the help of the heroes of the Maple World to join her Cygnus Knights in preventing his return
• MapleStory is generally quite open world, with many areas having different themes and storylines tied to that area

Aesthetics

• Characters are 2D sprites that can wear a variety of cosmetics
• Monsters are cute 2D sprites as well that are drawn suited to the area that they are in
• Background music for every map helps to immerse players in the environment
• Skills are flashy and appealing to players when used on monsters, dealing massive amounts of damage

Technology

• Primarily made for Windows PC
• Broadband Internet connection needed
• Coded in C++, with assets stored in their own “.wz” files

The Lens of Curiosity (Lens #6)

MapleStory provides players with a huge world filled with many differently themed for players to explore.

• Each area consists of quests and monsters that are suited for different levels
• This encourages players to go and explore these areas once they hit the minimum level requirements
• Fosters the idea of a Maple “World” where players are able to go to incredibly different places and discover new things
• Helps to keep players engaged, gives them the motivation to improve their character to access these new areas
• Questlines and stories in these areas also immerses players in the world

I feel that the content provided by the game in terms of the game world is great, as it provides an area for players to explore and find out new things. It helps keep players engaged and also provides them motivation to unlock these areas to explore.

The Lens of Pleasure (Lens #20)

MapleStory involves players working together and training together to become stronger.

• Working together with friends fosters a sense of community and makes the game fun for players
• Becoming stronger together and taking down stronger monsters compared to before gives a sense of accomplishment and achievement
• Dealing high damage to monsters and seeing high numbers of damage gives players pleasure as well

The way MapleStory has been designed in terms of providing pleasure is good, as players have a clear goal of improving themselves and getting stronger. However, some criticisms include the fact that in order to truly reach endgame content, there is a need to use real-life currency to buy items from the Cash Shop in order for players to improve their characters further (pay-to-win aspect).

The Lens of Motivation (Lens #23)

MapleStory involves improving your character’s gear and has a level progression system that encourages players to gain experience and get stronger.

• Better equipment and higher levels is something that can be shown off to other players
• Being stronger also allows your to have more damage on monsters, enabling you to fight stronger monsters
• This sense of progression and “becoming stronger” encourages players to keep playing
• However, at higher levels content starts to slow down and progression becomes slower, game becomes “grindy”

MapleStory has provided a clear and simple way for players to progress, which is the cycle of levelling up to wear better equipment to train faster to level up to get better equipment. This however can get stale after awhile, and as players reach higher levels the main issue is that levelling becomes a “grind” as it takes a very long period of time to progress to the next level.

The Lens of Freedom (Lens #79)

Players in the Maple World generally have the freedom to do what they like: they don’t necessarily have to train and improve themselves all the time.

• Some players like to sit around and chat with other players
• Other players may want to do merchanting in the “Free Market”
• Players can go around the Maple World to complete quests
• Players can gather to take down boss monsters

MapleStory has done well in this aspect as they have provided a world where players are free to do what they want. They do not necessarily have to keep training, and are able to take breaks to do as they please whenever they want. The openness of the game in this aspect has been a tremendous boon to the game’s success as players feel like they are in control of their story and their character.

In a nutshell, MapleStory is a game filled with many possibilities, where players have the freedom to create their own story. The Maple World is vast and filled with much content for players to explore together with friends, and there are