By Sagar V. Mankar 
Nexon is working with a local studio, Able Games, to create a new game based on the popular MapleStory franchise. The collaboration brings together one of gaming’s biggest companies with a smaller, award-winning developer.
Able Games, known for their successful idle game “Raising the Moon Rabbit,” has posted job listings for their joint project with Nexon. According to Chosunbiz, these openings seek planners, programmers, and designers for what they’re calling “Project Maple Able.” While specific details remain under wraps, the job listings mention that applicants should have experience with role-playing games.
“We are developing a new title based on the MapleStory IP with Able Games,” Nexon later confirmed in a statement.
This partnership comes at a high point for Nexon. The company recently made history as the first Korean gaming business to exceed 4 trillion won (approximately $2.8 billion) in yearly sales, marking a 5% increase from the previous year’s performance.
This record-breaking achievement, as financial reports indicate, largely stems from the success of Nexon’s three main franchises – Dungeon & Fighter, MapleStory, and FC (Football Club) – which together generated 74% of the company’s total revenue. The Dungeon & Fighter franchise showed particularly impressive growth with a 53% year-over-year increase, primarily due to the successful launch of its mobile version in China last year.
MapleStory itself continues to thrive globally. While facing some challenges in its home Korean market, the international version has seen revenue increase by 24%, now accounting for 35% of the franchise’s total earnings. A major winter update released in December 2024 helped improve player engagement in Korea and contributed to stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter results.
Lee Jung-Hun, President and CEO of NEXON Japan, emphasized the company’s strategic vision, stating, “We are enhancing strategic research and investment to expand the commercial potential of our flagship IPs, such as Dungeon & Fighter and MapleStory. We aim to bring even greater enjoyment to more players through both our existing franchises and new IPs.”
MapleStory’s enduring appeal isn’t surprising given its unique features. Since its initial South Korean release in 2003, this 2D side-scrolling MMORPG has attracted millions of players worldwide with its engaging blend of platforming and RPG elements. The game offers extensive character customization options, emphasizes social interaction through features like guilds and parties, and maintains player interest through regular content updates.
The free-to-play model, supported by microtransactions, has made MapleStory accessible to a wide audience while generating significant revenue for Nexon. The franchise has expanded beyond gaming to influence merchandise, music, and even an animated series, further demonstrating its cultural impact.