2013-09-20, 01:41 AM
KhainiWest's first few posts in this thread are right on the mark and basically sum up everything that has been wrong with this game since 2009. I've quit MapleStory long ago, but since I love the game, I still keep tabs on it from time to time. I've even made a few attempts to return, but I can't justify the time, effort and money involved and it's just not the same.
That Nexon doesn't care about it's players, their time, hardships, effort and investment, is blatantly obvious. They say it everytime they ignore loyal players' tickets about being hacked, being the victim of a glitch or scam and just by ignoring the community in general. It's not only this way for MapleStory, but for most games they currently manage. You need look no further than the unfortunate situation with Dungeon Fighter Online to prove that.
The fact that MapleStory is still standing after all it's been through is amazing. I've watched in disbelief time and time again as changes were made to the game, each one more ridiculous than the one before it. The fact that anyone could still want to play this game in it's current form is unbelievable.
I could write a short novel on issues with this game, but to keep it short:
- Nexon doesn't police the game. Hackers make thousands of dollars of real life money by cheating, nevermind those who hack for the actual advantage in the game.
- You have to be a hacker or spend thousands of dollars to be able to compete. There aren't many ways to earn money in game anymore. You can merchant if you already have money and that does work for some people who are good at it. Most boss drops are not worth the time or effort or require you to be very strong already to kill them.
- Some of the cash shop items should have never been invented. For example, Hyper Teleport Rocks basically give you GM teleport for, what was it, $30? $35?
- The gap between players is much too high now. The difference between a godly player and an average one used to be ~30k per star or something. High enough to take pride in if you managed to be one of the few that were that strong, low enough to encourage weaker players to strive to become that strong, but also low enough to not make average and even weak players completely obsolete and worthless. Godly players were an inspiration, now they are a sad reminder of how pay to win this game now is. Frankly, it's discouraging.
- Leveling takes the backseat to equipment. The level 250 cap is a joke. Even level 200 with the current equipment potential and damage cap is too much. I remember when the best way to level up was to split the map with a friend, now it's SoloStory for leveling and bossing.
- Bugs and Glitches are left to go for months and sometimes even years before they are fixed. I remember having serious issues with Windows Vista and Windows 7 that disabled me from being able to boss for nearly a year before I finally decided to dual boot with Windows XP. I also remember a Horntail squad signup glitch which I'm not even sure has been fixed yet. Last I knew it was still around and that was years ago.
- The social experience and bonds made were part of what encouraged you and got you through some of the tough grinding. In the end, those are fond memories I have and many of the friends I met years ago I still talk to today. The game just isn't like that anymore.
I think this is an interesting topic, but also a pointless one. Things will continue as normal until the game is ran into the ground and enough people stop playing that Nexon doesn't think the North American branch is worth the manpower involved to keep running. Then the game will be shut down just like Dungeon Fighter Online and Nexon will move on to some other game. Maybe MapleStory 2 will be out by then. Nexon as a company is not going to change.
That Nexon doesn't care about it's players, their time, hardships, effort and investment, is blatantly obvious. They say it everytime they ignore loyal players' tickets about being hacked, being the victim of a glitch or scam and just by ignoring the community in general. It's not only this way for MapleStory, but for most games they currently manage. You need look no further than the unfortunate situation with Dungeon Fighter Online to prove that.
The fact that MapleStory is still standing after all it's been through is amazing. I've watched in disbelief time and time again as changes were made to the game, each one more ridiculous than the one before it. The fact that anyone could still want to play this game in it's current form is unbelievable.
I could write a short novel on issues with this game, but to keep it short:
- Nexon doesn't police the game. Hackers make thousands of dollars of real life money by cheating, nevermind those who hack for the actual advantage in the game.
- You have to be a hacker or spend thousands of dollars to be able to compete. There aren't many ways to earn money in game anymore. You can merchant if you already have money and that does work for some people who are good at it. Most boss drops are not worth the time or effort or require you to be very strong already to kill them.
- Some of the cash shop items should have never been invented. For example, Hyper Teleport Rocks basically give you GM teleport for, what was it, $30? $35?
- The gap between players is much too high now. The difference between a godly player and an average one used to be ~30k per star or something. High enough to take pride in if you managed to be one of the few that were that strong, low enough to encourage weaker players to strive to become that strong, but also low enough to not make average and even weak players completely obsolete and worthless. Godly players were an inspiration, now they are a sad reminder of how pay to win this game now is. Frankly, it's discouraging.
- Leveling takes the backseat to equipment. The level 250 cap is a joke. Even level 200 with the current equipment potential and damage cap is too much. I remember when the best way to level up was to split the map with a friend, now it's SoloStory for leveling and bossing.
- Bugs and Glitches are left to go for months and sometimes even years before they are fixed. I remember having serious issues with Windows Vista and Windows 7 that disabled me from being able to boss for nearly a year before I finally decided to dual boot with Windows XP. I also remember a Horntail squad signup glitch which I'm not even sure has been fixed yet. Last I knew it was still around and that was years ago.
- The social experience and bonds made were part of what encouraged you and got you through some of the tough grinding. In the end, those are fond memories I have and many of the friends I met years ago I still talk to today. The game just isn't like that anymore.
I think this is an interesting topic, but also a pointless one. Things will continue as normal until the game is ran into the ground and enough people stop playing that Nexon doesn't think the North American branch is worth the manpower involved to keep running. Then the game will be shut down just like Dungeon Fighter Online and Nexon will move on to some other game. Maybe MapleStory 2 will be out by then. Nexon as a company is not going to change.