Request: Reconsider Dutch Trade Restrictions

ArcStar

Hello Maplers,

I’m writing this here following a support ticket I submitted regarding the trade restrictions affecting players in the Netherlands. The GM who replied to my ticket suggested that I'd also post about it on the forums so other players could 'chime in and share their experiences' - so alas.

I understand that these restrictions were originally implemented around 2021 due to concerns related to Dutch gambling laws and loot box mechanics. That made sense at the time, especially given the legal uncertainty.

However, the current implementation feels overly restrictive compared to what is actually necessary for compliance.

At the moment:

- Trading is fully disabled
- The auction House / Meso Market is unavailable
- The player-driven economy is essentially removed for us Dutch / Belgium players

But at the same time:
- Loot box (RNG) items are already made non-tradable
- Other Nexon titles apply less strict or temporary restrictions
- Other games in the Netherlands still maintain trading systems with adjusted mechanics

This suggests that compliance can be achieved without completely removing trading systems.

With Classic World hopefully releasing very soon, this becomes a much bigger issue.

Classic MapleStory was heavily built around:

- Player trading
- Item progression through the economy
- Social interaction tied to sharing and exchanging items

Without trading, the experience is not really “classic” anymore. It’s a significantly altered version of the game for just us Dutch and Belgium

Right now it feels like the restrictions were introduced as a broad solution in 2021, but haven’t really been revisited since, even as other solutions exist.

I’d like to ask Nexon to reconsider the current approach and explore alternatives such as:

- Keeping item-based restrictions (e.g. non-tradable RNG items)
- Allowing trading for non-RNG items
- Or applying more limited/temporary restrictions instead of a full system lock

I’m not expecting an immediate change, but I do hope this can be looked at again, especially with Classic World aiming to recreate the original MapleStory experience.

I’m also curious to hear from other NL/EU players on how this has affected their gameplay.

Thank you for your time and let's keep this discussion respectful.

TokyoxDawn

To be honest!

All other MMO RPG's like Runescape, World of Warcraft have all the rights even as Dutch player to use their AH /FreeMarket, Item dropping, Item Trading.
And even their versions of Mesos Market.

So it would only make sense if Nexon would remove all restrictions just like they did with Mabinogi.

Coming to your point about Maplestory Classic, I totally agree and also wanted to give feedback! Unfortunaly I haven't been added to the Official Maplestory Classic Discord. But Maplestory classic with trade restrictions makes 0 sense at all.

Furthermore trade blocks in general make no sense at all! It has nothing to do with the Dutch Law in general. It is such a big part of the in game development and community.

So Nexon, Again! We kindly ask you to lift those restrictions for Dutch players, and make the Dutch Maple community great again!!!

Kind regards,

Tokyo!

Please other Dutch players or even Non Dutch players vote for us, to help us stand strong togehter!

SmoothStar

Yeah this is the reason my friends and I quit playing!