MapleStory Worlds Marks One Year of Creator Innovation With Launch of Premier Global Creator Challenge

Aspiring Developers Invited to Shape the Future of MapleStory Worlds; Global Creator Challenge Recruitment Begins May 28 with Up To $65,000 in Total Rewards per &TEAM

LOS ANGELES – April 23, 2026 – Nexon America today announced the launch of the MapleStory Worlds Global Creator Challenge, inviting aspiring developers ages 18+ to design, build, and launch their own thriving, user-created Worlds. This premier contest calls upon the global developer community to leverage the powerful MapleStory Worlds platform, a robust ecosystem that allows creators to build original, interactive experiences using over 30 million MapleStory-based assets.

The Global Creator Challenge: Build Your World
Recruitment for the challenge officially begins on Thursday, May 28, 02:00 UTC. Aspiring creators are encouraged to utilize MapleStory's vast library of assets to expand upon the game's core design and create their own unique Worlds.

• Submission Period: May 28 – October 7, 2026
• Final Round: Starting November 5 – November 25, 2026
• Winners Announced: Early December, 2026

*All recruitment and deadline times are scheduled for 02:00 UTC.
A total of 30 Worlds will be selected globally to compete in the final round. Entries will be judged based on creative use of the MapleStory IP, level of technical completion, and long-term sustainability for stable live service operations.

High Stakes and Developer Support
The MapleStory Worlds Global Creator Challenge features a massive prize pool, offering up to $65,000 in total rewards per &TEAM. Teams that reach and win the finals will have the opportunity to receive an immediate $10,000 prize, making this one of the most attractive incentives for independent developers in the UGC space. More details about prizing are available on the official site.

To ensure success for creators of all skill levels, Nexon is providing comprehensive development support:

• Worldbuilding Tools & Massive Asset Library: Access to an expansive library of over 30 million of MapleStory assets, giving creators a wide range of resources to build and customize their Worlds.
• Community & Training: A dedicated Global Creator Challenge Discord featuring training materials, developer Q&As, and a collaborative space to share information.

Celebrating One Year of Innovation
The announcement coincides with the one-year anniversary of the MapleStory Worlds platform's global launch. Over the past year, visionary creators from around the world have used the platform to bring their imaginations to life.

"Since our official launch, we have seen incredible creativity from our community," said Dennis Bernardo, Senior Producer of MapleStory Worlds. "The Global Creator Challenge is our way of providing full-scale support to aspiring developers, giving them the tools and the stage to create their own one-of-a-kind MapleStory experience."

1st Anniversary In-Game Events
To commemorate this milestone, a platform-wide World Coin Fest kicks off today and runs through Thursday, May 14, 10:59PM UTC+9.

• Weekly Missions: Rotating missions will be held in featured Creator Worlds, with up to 3 Worlds participating each round.
• Rewards: Players can earn World Coins for completing missions. Rewards are available exclusively to verified accounts.

A special Lab Event also kicks off today and runs through Wednesday, May 6, 2:59PM UTC. This event features three unique worlds where players can explore diverse environments and complete missions to earn raffle tickets for World Coin rewards:

• Infinity Rise: A Soul-like Metroidvania world offering exhilarating action as players battle through challenging monsters.
• Capture or Die: A spine-chilling horror cooperative adventure where players must survive together and capture eerie moments on camera.
• Maple Blockbuster: An expansive RPG world focused on exploration and crafting, where players gather resources and build gear by breaking tiles.

Players can qualify for rewards by completing various in-world missions, such as defeating final bosses, reaching specific levels, or participating in user surveys. Rewards are available exclusively to verified accounts.

A Year of Continuous Growth
Alongside the celebration, Nexon is revealing an anniversary infographic highlighting the amazing growth record achieved together with our creators and players:

• A Growing Community (Global Totals): Over 7 million total players and creators have come together to build and explore new worlds.
• Economic Empowerment (Global Totals): The number of creators earning revenue increased 5x in 2025, with the total amount of creator revenue surging 134% from 2024.
• Creator Program Participants (NA, LATAM, EU, and Rest of World): 647 participants have already joined our specialized creator programs to lead the next generation of gaming.

For more information on the MapleStory Worlds Global Creators Challenge, please visit the official website here.

Social Media: Instagram/TikTok/X/YouTube/Twitch/Discord

About MapleStory Worlds 

Launched globally in 2025, MapleStory Worlds is a revolutionary platform that transforms how creators and players experience the iconic franchise. Featuring powerful worldbuilding tools and a massive library of over 30 million MapleStory assets, anyone can design and build unique Worlds representing any gameplay genre. From nostalgic homages to innovative new gameplay, MapleStory Worlds is an ever-expanding playground where imagination is the only limit.

About MapleStory
MapleStory is a beloved, 2D side-scrolling online MMORPG known for its distinctive gameplay and unique art style. This iconic game's popularity has fueled its expansion to the far corners of the globe with several services of MapleStory available to players around the world. In 2005, the Global version of MapleStory launched and has continued to grow and evolve alongside its passionate community of millions of fans.

About Nexon America Inc.
Founded in 2005, Nexon America Inc. delivers outstanding popular, online game expertise and live game support, taking the strengths of NEXON Co., Ltd. (“Nexon”) and applying them to uniquely Western audiences. For decades, Nexon America has consistently sustained iconic franchises such as MapleStory, a beloved, 2D side-scrolling online MMORPG known for its distinctive gameplay and unique art style and Mabinogi, the world's most expressive MMORPG, where you create a unique character and live your fantasy life. Both games have gone on to break records and captivate players. With exciting projects on the horizon, Nexon America maintains the pioneering and innovative spirit of its parent company, employing its player-first approach, while designing the best possible gameplay experiences for the Western market.