| maple story---MS news |
LOS ANGELES, March 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Nexon America Inc., the U.S.
division of Asia leading online games company Nexon Corporation, is proud
to announce its first release, MapleStory, has exceeded three million
registered users in North America, making it one of the fastest growing MMO
games. MapleStory blockbuster success comes as Nexon America prepares for
the upcoming April launch of Audition, a free-to-play, massively
multiplayer online dance game.
Building on the Maple Story momentum, Audition expands Nexon portfolio
by providing an open, user-friendly virtual club for exciting dance-offs
set to today hottest music. In addition to testing rhythm game play
skills in head-to-head, and team battle modes, players can socialize and
customize avatars by selecting from over 1000 unique items from the in-game
cash shop.
With over three million registered players in North America, the
global user base for MapleStory Mesos has reached almost 60 million, says John
H. Chi, chief executive officer of Nexon America. When you take into
account the stunning viral success of our titles, as well as the Item
Selling business model extraordinary growth into the mainstream market in
North America, Nexon is going to change not only the way people game, but
socialize!
Nexon also announces a second print run for its Nexon Game Cards at
Target stores nationwide. The partnership with Target Corporation is the
first of its kind for a mass-market retailer and MMO publisher, enabling
consumers to redeem real dollars for virtual in-game items and accessories
within MapleStory and its upcoming Audition. The gift cards are available
now at all Target retailers for purchase in denominations of $10 and $25.
Nexon games are free-to-download at http://www.nexon.net and utilize an
innovative cash shop system (microtransactions), which offers players the
option to use real currency to pay for game enhancements. In Audition and
MapleStory, players can purchase in-game apparel and accessories that
enable them to create one-of-a-kind identities. These features are purely
optional, and players can try out items prior to purchase in virtual
dressing rooms. These items range from hip haircuts and stylish clothes in
Audition to vibrant, colorful outfits and fire-breathing pets in
Maple Story Mesos.
As the pioneer of the microtransaction, or Item Selling business model,
Nexon has sold millions of virtual items worldwide through MapleStory and
other hit titles such as KartRider and BnB: Crazy Arcade. In 2005, Nexon
Corporation reported $230 million in revenue, driven primarily from
millions of microtransactions.
MapleStory -- Three Million Users in North America
MapleStory continues to expand in North America as one of the fastest
growing massively multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPG). Averaging
45,000 new registered users a week, the award-winning game is known for its
robust community and the ability to personalize game characters in endless
combinations. Filled with vibrant backgrounds and charming characters,
players interact with each other online through chatting, trading, fun
mini-games as well as participating in exciting game play. Groups of
players can also ally together in parties or guilds to socialize, hunt
monsters, and venture through the immersive lands on thrilling quests.
Audition -- A Virtual Club Offers Great Dancing to Great Music
Audition is a highly social MMO dance game where players meet their
friends online for dance-off competitions to chart-topping and dynamic new
music. With simple directional and space bar keystrokes, players perform
hip-hop style dance steps and choreographed routines-better timing means a
better score. Players compete in various dance modes, each with distinctive
special features and moves. Audition has an in-game reward system that
gives winning dancers BEAST or currency used to purchase a variety of
cash shop items.
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