scholar624

• What are your favorite parts of MapleStory’s last few content updates (For example: QoL changes, class rebalancing, Haunted Mansion, Secret Stories, Afterlands or MMF)?

My favorite recent additions to MapleStory included the QoL changes and the story-driven content (Heroes of Maple, Secret Stories). QoL modifications were justly needed for smoother gameplay, and providing overall ingame player satisfaction.

• Do you enjoy story-driven content like Heroes of Maple and Secret Stories? If so, what are your thoughts on our newest story content?

Implementing story driven content is a marvelous way of adding newer content by expanding on old. When executed well, gamers can further sympathize with a character or further detest them. Take for example our Heroes of Maple. After watching the ending, do you still fell the same when playing demon slayer or fighting/seeing Arkarium? I certainly did. Shade got his own happy ending while DS took his place as the most pitied character in MS.

• To you as a player, what is MapleStory’s biggest draw?

Not sure whether you mean draw as in appealing or draw as in drawback? Here's my answer to both.
What appeals to be the most is the unique game design of Maplestory, a 2D MMORPG with a mixture of cute 8-bit animation mixed with flashy skills graphics and a colorful cast of characters each with different motives, backstories, and supporting cast. The biggest drawback for MS is perhaps the massive communication wall between developers and the community.

• What are your expectations for the quality of MapleStory’s localization?

Knowing the mass amount of time, effort, and amount of hands coded content passes through; it is understandable for some errors to slip through the cracks. It is not okay though for content to be so muddled with problems as to become entirely unplayable. A simple typo in dialog? Crude mistake, but forgivable. Unintentionally implementing bugs causing MS to crash regularly? Not so much...

• Does the localization of recent content fall short of, meet, or exceed those expectations?

Fell rather short. Often times, the game would be glitchy, lagging, or have bugged content become completely unplayable. I was entirely unable to enjoy Afterlands because my character was stuck in one area without any way nor guidance of how to continue. There was also the issue of server's chat ports causing periodic lag spikes.

• In recent updates, what do you feel we have handled well?

My hat is off to the writers who are capable of crafting such a versatile array of works ranging from slapstick comedy one-liners in Friendstory, to the heart-wrenching drama dialog shown in "Heroes of Maple" and "Black Heaven".

• What could we have handled better?

Outside of the aforementioned quality issue when it comes to implementing new content, another missed opportunity comes in the form of aesthetics. So many noteworthy soundtracks help perfect in setting the appropriate mood, but there could be more effort done in giving credit to such beautiful works of art out. Other than Promise of Heaven, Catch Your Dreams, and Eternal Breath, There really haven't been any much attention paid to the scores heard in MS.

Despite not being a living organism, MMORPGs still follow Darwin theory of evolution. Those who are unwilling to adapt amidst an ever changing, competitive environment will not survive. With each new patch, with every update, MS undergoes a similar change. The end result being not one of good nor bad but different than previously.

"Different denotes neither 'bad' nor 'good', but it certainly means not the same!" ~Cheshire Cat, Alice: Madness Returns

Just recently, GMS celebrated their 10 year anniversary in service. How many MMOs do you know of were unplugged before even reaching 5 years? Rather than dwelling upon previous previous versions, let's take a moment and reflect upon what made them so appealing to begin with and how would we even benefit from having the game mechanic resurfacing less than a decade later.

As a community, screaming a myriad of random requests here on the forums after every patch will only lead to conflicting information and underdeveloped content meant specifically for our region. Instead, let us work closely together (and honestly) with our community manager Michael; making sure MS continues evolving/thriving amidst the harshest competition that is the MMORPG market.

Let's all shoot for MS celebrating their 20th anniversary!

Are jets worth playing, for fun factor ETC. I could careless about bossing ATM.

Jetts are the closest class we have to a speed-type character featuring quick dashes, greased lightning DPS, and tight maneuverability. (At least in theory)

Is it a perfect execution? Heck no, but one that is worth at least trying out for adrenaline parkour junkies with more need speed than a certain notorious blue hedgehog.

Given the patch notes were overly vague covering this event, and being a music fanatic myself, I was really looking forward to the music festival.

Really disappointed though with the exclusive minigame being a bullet hell simulator and only music-themed prizes were cosmetic chairs and a weak accessory set. Was a damage skin honestly too much to ask for? Sort of half expected DDR mechanics similar to the Go, Mesorangers! Go! event a few years back when Beast Tamer was first debuted.

Would I be Interested in a small meet up? Absolutely!
Would I be able to meet up in Los Angeles? Probably Not...