It was only after playing both FC온라인 and MapleStory that I realized something: I’m a gamer who’s better suited to growth than competition.

Today, I want to talk about my own play style by comparing two experiences—FC온라인, which was full of the tension of one-match showdowns, and MapleStory, where I slowly built up capital and kept pushing toward higher ground.

Participating in the Nexon PEAK Post Challenge

When I played FC온라인, everything centered on competition: the thrill of a last-minute comeback goal, the sweaty-palmed tension of a penalty shootout, and all the time I spent building and rebuilding my squad to win. I collected stronger players, searched for better formations, and kept turning things over in my head even outside the game so I could stay one step ahead of my opponents. Every match felt like it was everything. Winning was exhilarating, and losing meant I would queue up again right away. But at some point, that cycle started to wear me down. It stopped feeling like a game I played to win and started feeling like a game with no meaning if I didn’t.

But MapleStory felt different. Beating bosses, selling items to build up capital, using that capital to enhance my gear, and gradually climbing toward higher rankings—the whole process itself was enjoyable. Because the goal wasn’t the result of a single match but the growth of my character, some days I would run dungeons, and on others I would dig into the game’s economy, taking my time and enjoying a wide range of content. It didn’t have the same instant rush as FC온라인, but the feeling that what I did today would still be there on my character tomorrow kept me in front of the game much longer.

In the end, I’m a growth-oriented gamer..

After comparing the two games, one thing became clear. I get more enjoyment from a process that builds steadily over time than from a brief moment of victory. FC온라인 is undeniably thrilling in its competitiveness, but MapleStory suited me better because the time and effort I put in remained visible on my character. It’s not that one genre is better than the other. These two games simply showed me what kind of fun I’m really looking for.

What FC온라인 and MapleStory taught me wasn’t just the difference between two genres, but what kind of gamer I am and what kind of fun I want from games.

Now I know that steady, accumulated growth suits me better than a momentary win.