WarCry: For starters, what's your name and what's your role on MapleStory?

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My diagnose is Sheloman Byrd, and I'm a Product Coordinator for MapleStory. I assist with the day-to-day trading operations of the gamey, spot implementation, long-term scheduling, communication between our QA/CS/GM teams as well as issue planning and game design for localized content (Masteria, Amoria, etc). I've been at Nexon America since September 2006. Still can't hoodwink though…

WC: Throne you give our readers who are unfamiliar with the crippled a rundown connected what it is?

Sure. MapleStory is a free two-multidimensional, anime-inspired, slope-scrolling MMORPG. IT combines customizable characters, a Brobdingnagian secret plan world, heavy socialization aspects (guilds, hunting parties) and simple game mechanics for a fresh, fun gaming experience. We'rhenium known for our quirky stigmatize of humor in both quests and monsters-where else can you admit an enormous cake monster with your friends? We provide an ambience that encourages competition and friendship. A good way to think of it is equally "Mario meets MySpace".

WC: How does MapleStory differ from more traditional Occidental MMOGs?

Well, one of the biggest differences is that MapleStory is free. It never costs anything to play; you just install the client, make your character, and start playing. We don't lock out content, nor manage we charge for leveling dormy or anything of that nature. In addition thereto, we also place greater emphasis on community and character customization. Want to take care like a rock mavin warrior? Or maybe a unholy magician Oregon suave ninja? We root for you to do it. We believe games are to the highest degree merriment when played with friends, sol we emphasize community development. The ethnical experience in MapleStory is a massive depart of the game.

What else makes us different? I touched on our monsters, and we'ray egotistic of them. We have some traditional creatures, corresponding skeleton soldiers, and goblins, simply we also have more humorous beasts, such as the pigs, the day of remembrance cakes, as well as few odd ones, such A Pianus, which is our titan emboss "Doom Flounder".

The game world itself is also very diverse. One of the things we do is add different areas on a regular basis. One minute you could be in the mountains, and decide to visit the beach, a lava-filled volcano, a art movement city or a concerned forest. We really do take up information technology all.

Customization, Exploration, Competition, Friendship, Freedom. That's MapleStory in a nutshell.

WC: You sell items in the mettlesome via microtransactions. How has the Northwestern consultation responded to that?

Extremely considerably. We extend a wide variety of items in the Cash Shop, from hair shop coupons to cool weapons to wedding tickets to pets. Overall, the answer is great and hopefully will continue. We've got some exciting items in the works.

The Western consultation is used to playing a lot of money up front before knowing whether the gage is some fun or non. MapleStory players recognize microtransactions put the choice of pocket money in their hands, which is a very value-motivated option.

WC: How often does the average substance abuser drop on Maple Narrative in a month?

We assume't share this level of selective information, but our prepaid card game are oversubscribed in denominations of $10 and $25. They are addressable in many major retailers including Target, BestBuy, 7 11, Rite Aid, CVS, Duane Reade and others.

WC: World Health Organization's your target demographic? I've seen late Night commercials on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim; are you aiming for the 18-24 sociology?

In a noticeable sense, our target user is someone who likes to bring games and socialize online. Our largest age bracket for MapleStory is 17 and 18 years of age. More often than not, we observe that our games service the teen commercialize first-rate because they have been underserved. Our games our free which allows teens to engage in fun and meaningful online gaming experiences without being locked out by a monthly subscription.

We also find that our players seem to like anime. Winning a look at MapleStory, I think you will find this a No brainer =)

WC: How act players progress in the game? How much time does the average histrion expend adventuring. How much time do they spend socializing?

Players progress by combat, battling monsters to obtain live and level up to gain unused skills and abilities. Forthwith, I know there's an out-dated perception where information technology's hard to level, however, we've worked extremely concentrated to address that via quests, party quests and combat. You can gain levels faster and it's a administer more fun.

One of the best ways to gain experience is Party Quests, which are the equivalent of a dungeon in other MMOs. These are the most popular areas in the game, equally it's an chance for players and their friends. They start at level 10 and lead up to around 160.

The typical Mapler spends active 3-4 hours online. We get into't believe that adventuring and socializing are two separate activities, typically, many players will meet up and go hunt, do quests, explore the world, or establish a shop and dress some selling. It's each a partially of the game.

WC: The game looks like IT appeals to a younger interview. How do you protect them from people who may be stressful to take advantage of them?

Healthy that's impartial it. The gritty looks like IT appeals to a younger audience, but it is mostly teens. The largest age radical is 17 to 18 eld of age. We also have monitors guardianship the world safe. We also believe in prophylactic in numbers. MapleStory is all about socializing and hanging with your friends. It is more difficult to ask advantage of a instrumentalist when they are hanging around and constantly communication with trusted friends.

WC: Weddings seem to be extremely popular among the community. Was that something you had originally counted along?

We hoped so! The popularity of marriages has surprised us a bit. We bid two types, Cathedral and Vegas-style; and some require Nexon Cash. The Cathedral one is actually pursuit-supported-the guy hunts to find items, the girl gets her parent's blessing, etc. This is another area where we take issue from other MMO's, mated couples have activities just for them in the game, including an exclusive Party Quest that is very popular. All altogether, we have anywhere from 600-700 Weddings per week, putt US right up there with so many another other places famous for destination weddings!

WC: How do you envision MapleStory will grow As time goes happening? How do you architectural plan to add content ended the years?

We expect MapleStory to develop into a piece of America pop acculturation. MapleStory has a unequaled art style, great character customization and will find its niche in pop cultivation a very fun, extremely popular free game played or known away totally.

In terms of updates, we develop our own exclusive contented in addition to importing IT, so we have a rather robust slate of updates forthcoming. Retributory in the noncurrent months, we've added two modern areas, a new Party Bay, two high-altitude bosses and a host of quests, items, and new features. We South Korean won't beryllium running out of content for a loooooong clock time.

We also run a full slate of yearly events-everything from Easter to Halloween to Christmas. That will also continue as time passes.

WC: Therein vein, where do you cerebrate MapleStory volition follow five long time from now?

*turns connected the crystal ball* Man, I'm old in five years!

Kidding. We'd like to see the game maintain the growth we've seen complete the departed few years, while the core ideals of the courageous, friendship, competition and fun, drive it to be the most popular pun in the world. We're for certain willing to work hard enough to visualise it become that, and thank the community for their support frankincense far. It's exclusively going to get best.