Nexon has finished testing MapleStory Classic World and set a launch date for the throwback server, which opens to all players on Wednesday, October 21. MapleStory chief product officer Hanbyeol “Inkwell” Oh confirmed the date in a post to players, reported by MassivelyOP.
Players who buy a founder's pack get in earlier. That early entrance begins on Tuesday, October 6, a little over two weeks before the wider opening, and sales of the pack itself start on Wednesday, September 2. Alongside the head start, the pack carries what Nexon describes as commemorative benefits and cosmetics that reach back to the 2-D MMO's early years.
Nexon is treating that founder window as more than a reward. The pre-launch period doubles as a final round of data and feedback gathering before the server opens to everyone, following the beta tests that have now concluded.
What is in at launch, and what is not
Several changes come out of earlier beta feedback, covering bugs, Mac controller support, and the original Classic World content. Oh's post also promises all-new content in the release that has not appeared in any test.
Two things that were available during the second beta will not be present at either the October 6 or the October 21 opening: the Orbis region and third job advancement. The post did not give a date for either.
Cash shop and pacing
On monetization, the post commits to keeping experience items and boost items out of the Classic World cash shop. It also hints that the server could become a place for Nexon to tell brand-new MapleStory stories rather than only replay old ones.
Pacing is framed as a design goal in its own right. Oh's post resolves to “embrace the beauty of taking it slow” in terms of gameplay speed and feel, a stance that sits directly alongside the cash shop commitment: the two together describe a server whose progression is not meant to be bought down.
Nexon has not published a full content roadmap beyond the launch window. For now the dates are the concrete part of the announcement: September 2 for founder's pack sales, October 6 for founder entry, and October 21 for the open launch.