Nexon permanently bans MapleStory players over boss-clear exploits

Nexon America has permanently banned a group of MapleStory players it says manipulated the game to clear boss content, and has opened a full investigation into the incident. The publisher set out its position in a message to players, which MassivelyOP reported on August 6.

The statement went further than the bans already handed out, warning that any form of game manipulation, along with other conduct that breaches the terms of service, would be dealt with to the fullest extent of the publisher's policies. Nexon America added that it would continue strengthening its defences while monitoring the live servers, and that any further accounts it identifies will face the same permanent ban.

The response is a firmer one than the genre often sees. MassivelyOP noted that many studios are reluctant to ban paying customers even when those customers are damaging the game for everyone else, which makes an outright permanent ban a comparatively rare outcome.

Classic World test keys hit eBay

The bans landed in the same week as a second point of friction for the game. Nexon America pushed MapleStory Classic World into its second closed test phase, and the response from players has been unhappy, with the size of the test pool the main complaint.

That scarcity has produced a resale market. Accusations that tester keys were being scalped on eBay circulated among players, and MassivelyOP reported finding several listings when it checked, priced at more than $300 each.

Neither the exploits nor the key listings have prompted a change to the Classic World test schedule so far, and Nexon America has not said how many accounts were caught in the boss-clear investigation or whether the number is expected to grow as monitoring continues.