Avalanche MMORPG MapleStory N Fights Back Against Bots and Hackers
Since its launch in May, the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) MapleStory N has been facing a significant challenge with an influx of bots and hackers. Keith Kim, head of strategy at Nexpace, the blockchain division of Nexon, revealed that thousands of accounts are being banned daily to ensure fair gameplay for legitimate users.
Hackers, glitchers, attackers, and exploiters are a common occurrence in video games, but the issue is amplified in crypto games like MapleStory N. Players have reported lobbies filled with bots auto-farming, and some have even discovered abusers solo-defeating endgame bosses using game-breaking flaws.
What sets MapleStory N apart is the fact that players can earn real cryptocurrency by trading, grinding, and fighting in the game. Due to blockchain technology, the items and tokens owned by malicious actors have real-world value. This has led to a surge in attacks on the game, prompting Nexpace to take urgent measures to combat the issue.
MapleStory N is the first installment in the MapleStory Universe, a crypto ecosystem built around the popular MapleStory IP. The game saw a 549% increase in active addresses on the Avalanche network upon its launch, making it a lucrative target for hackers.
To address the hacker problem, MapleStory N has implemented a 30-hour delay in cashing out assets, as this is the average time it takes for an abuser to get banned. Nexpace has also strengthened its security systems and improved its abnormal play detection system. Additionally, off-ramps from the Avalanche L1 gaming network, Henesys, have been restricted to isolate any damage caused by bad actors.
In the event that a large portion of an asset’s supply is held by banned abuser wallets, Nexpace has a clawback function that allows them to reclaim these assets. However, Kim stated that the community would be consulted before triggering this function, as the value of assets stranded by banned players is currently low.
Overall, Nexpace is confident that the measures put in place have been effective in deterring hackers and minimizing the impact of their actions on the game’s economy. While the battle against bots and hackers continues, MapleStory N remains committed to providing a fair and secure gaming experience for all players.
The article has been edited for clarity and coherence by Andrew Hayward.