Hello.

The theme of this post is an image board: a collection of images that come to mind when we think of a particular game.

With that in mind, I have gathered some of MapleStory’s iconic title screens. MapleStory has been running for many years and continues to see steady success. Its longevity seems to owe much to a series of updates that have made necessary changes and responded to the game’s evolving needs.

Every update contributes to that process, so each has its own significance. Some, however, seem to have had a particularly lasting impact. I have collected their title screens and briefly researched what each patch introduced.

MapleStory’s Iconic Title Screens

1) Closed Beta: 2002~2003

This image was apparently used during the closed beta back in 2002. I would not have known about this era had I not come across it in an earlier search, so it felt surprisingly fresh to me.

Of course, a great deal has changed since then, but it is striking how much of its original form the Henesys Market has retained over all those years.

I wonder whether the developers and testers at the time imagined MapleStory would still be running today. The character illustrations used in 코믹 메이플스토리 also appear to date back to this period. It was surprising to learn that those characters were created earlier than I had thought.

2) Open Beta: 2003/4/29

This is likely the login screen many players remember. The game’s success during this period may well have laid the foundation for the MapleStory IP’s lasting appeal.

Personally, I used to think nostalgia played a large part in how fondly people remembered the game from this period. But the enormous success 메이플 랜드 enjoyed for a time suggests that the experience of playing was enjoyable in its own right. It is no longer at that peak, of course, but it reportedly still draws a steady number of players.

3) [Big Bang] Update: 2010/7/8

Known as MapleStory’s first major update, Big Bang introduced many changes that seem radical even today. The differences were so substantial that the versions before and after the patch could almost be considered separate games.

The overhauls to the UI, hunting ground layouts, world map, and skills naturally had an enormous impact on gameplay. Still, the change with the clearest appeal to players was probably the reduction in EXP requirements.

For various reasons, many MMORPGs struggle to move beyond their established approaches and eventually shut down or barely keep going. Seen in that light, a patch this radical—and carrying such unavoidable risks—is particularly impressive.

4) [V] Update: 2016/6/30

The [V] update in 2016 introduced the 5th Job Advancement. It is said to have revived MapleStory’s popularity after a period of decline.

Although a recent patch changed the enhancement process, the Nodestones introduced in this update are still in use, and 5th Job skills remain an essential part of the game.

Arcane River and the Arcane Power system were also introduced alongside it. Both still play substantial roles today, further underlining the significance of this patch.

Lucid, who remains popular today, was also reportedly introduced as a boss monster in this update.

5) [Black Mage] Update: 2018/6/21

As its title suggests, the [Black Mage] update in 2018 finally brought the Black Mage’s story to a close.

First mentioned back in 2007, the character had been a central figure in the story for a full 11 years. The update could therefore be seen as a suitably grand farewell that gave him his due.

Looking back at it now, I have found criticism of the event’s overall difficulty and structure, as well as the way the Arcane River story ended. Still, the update’s significance lies in an event that could be considered an early version of today’s event stat bonuses,

the introduction of Tera Burning, and the official conclusion of MapleStory’s first part.

6) [NEWAGE] Update: 2023/7/13

As its name suggests, the [NEWAGE] update in 2023 arrived with the ambitious goal of ushering in a new era.

This update introduced the 6th Job Advancement, 7 years after the 5th Job Advancement debuted in 2016. The accompanying 6th Job skills, Sol Erda, and Sol Erda Fragments had a considerable impact on gameplay.

The title seems to reflect changes both within the game and behind the scenes. This was the final update before MapleStory changed directors, after which the way the game was run also changed considerably.

7) [ASSEMBLE] Update: 2025/6/19

The [ASSEMBLE] update in June 2025 saw several factors come together to produce a level of success nobody had expected. The game made headlines by reaching a 25% share of PC bang playtime on June 19, despite no Hot Time event being held at the time.

Major additions included the new class Ren, 어센트 skills, and 최초의 대적자, each of which earned praise in its respective area. Alongside the first sale of the Genesis Pass, the update brought substantial improvements, including cooldown resets upon entering boss encounters, unified Cash Shop storage, and Buff Sequences.

8) [CROWN] Update: 2026/4/29

Taken on its own, the latest [CROWN] update has yet to match the impact or influence of the other titles listed above.

However, given the current situation, the “economy-related changes” mentioned at the showcase and in January’s Maple Now could significantly affect how MapleStory is played going forward. That possibility is why I included it as the final entry here.

It was mentioned that these changes might arrive in the first half of the year. Under the planned schedule, that would be during the anniversary update.

At the showcase, it was suggested that the Genesis Pass could go on sale again once the planned economic measures were in place, and that those measures would take a different approach from previous boss crystal price adjustments. Those remarks, together with the phrase “fundamental changes” used on Maple Now, have led many players to expect a far-reaching impact. Whatever form the changes take, I hope the patch benefits those who care deeply about the game.

Thank you for reading.