Checked 17 October 2026 · from Nexon notices

MapleStory Classic World

MapleStory Classic World launches free on 21 October 2026 at 11:00 PDT (18:00 UTC) on Windows and Mac, through the Nexon Launcher or Steam. It is Nexon’s own take on pre-Big Bang MapleStory: four Explorer jobs, level 100, Maple Island and Victoria Island, with the same Nexon account as modern MapleStory but new characters.

Launch time Classic vs modern Timeline

21 October 2026

Grand Launch time in your time zone

21 Oct, 11:00Los Angeles (PDT)

21 Oct, 14:00New York (EDT)

21 Oct, 18:00UTC

21 Oct, 20:00Berlin / Paris (CEST)

21 Oct, 21:00Moscow (MSK)

22 Oct, 04:00Brisbane (AEST)

22 Oct, 05:00Sydney (AEDT)

Region	Release
Global (NA/EU/LatAm/Oceania/rest of 'GLOBAL' Nexon region incl. Russia, Kazakhstan, Georgia)	2026-10-21 (Founder's Access 2026-10-06)
China (Shengqu, separate service)	2026-08-03
Taiwan/Hong Kong/Macau (Gamania, separate service)	2026-07-29
Korea (KMS)	No release announced
SEA (MapleSEA)	No release announced
Japan	No release announced

MapleStory Classic World FAQ · Nexon Account Country Selection FAQ · China gets a launch date: CMS Classic opens August 3 (NiaMeowDB, cites Shengqu) · NOWnews: New MapleStory: Classic launch-day login congestion (Gamania)

On request

Want a head start in Classic World?

We source MapleStory Classic World characters to order: tell us the job, level and server you want, and we come back with what is available. Hand-checked like every account we sell, with a lifetime warranty against recovery by the previous owner.

Ask on Discord Modern MapleStory accounts

At launch

What is in MapleStory Classic

Platforms: PC Windows and macOS; via Nexon Launcher (standalone client, no need to install modern MapleStory) or Steam (bundled with the MapleStory listing, requires base game install + linked Nexon account).
Business model: free-to-play from Grand Launch; Cash Shop with NX and new 'Leaf Points' (alternative Cash currency earned via events); optional one-time Founder's Packages $29.99/$59.99/$79.99 (EUR same, GBP 25.99/51.99/69.99), cosmetic only.
No MVP/VIP subscription status in Classic World; no subscription announced.
Founder's Access launch content: Maple Island + Victoria Island, 4 Explorer jobs (Warrior, Magician, Bowman, Thief) with 10 second-job branches, max level 100, 5 bosses (Mano, Mushmom, Shade, Zombie Mushmom, Jr. Balrog), Kerning City PQ (Lv21+), new Crafting (6 professions) and Citizenship systems, Beauty Album; Forgotten Hollow (Classic-original area) temporarily closed.
Orbis, El Nath and 3rd job (tested in COT2) are NOT in the launch build; to be added gradually later, not necessarily in original historical order; a new boss is in development.
Up to 3 characters per account; languages English + Spanish (beta); Classic or Modern (WASD) keybinds; DualSense/DualShock/Xbox controllers.
Cash Shop at Founder's Access includes gacha 'Founder's Mystery Fashion Crate' (3,500 NX), store permits (Free Market/field shops), Monthly Essentials, Convenience pack (SP/AP reset, 5-slot coupon, Safety Charm), Pet Booster pack (auto potion/auto move pet skills).
Nexon states intent to avoid selling stat/growth items; focus on cosmetics and 'appropriate convenience'.
Classic World has a separate small dev team led by Inkwell (Hanbyeol Oh, CPO Nexon America) with Nemi and Dr. Lim; GMS team not reduced.
Nexon has not published Classic World world/server names or physical server locations; one meso vendor lists the world as 'Windia' (unverified).

MapleStory Classic World FAQ · Founder's Access Pre-Download Instructions Nexon Launcher and Steam · Founder's Packages: Frequently Asked Questions · Founder's Access Has Begun! · Founder's Access Release Notes · Inkwell on the Future of Global MapleStory and Classic World · Classic World launches October 21 after Founder's Access (NiaMeowDB) · Founder's Access Cash Shop · MapleStory Classic World Server Locations (LagoFast, commercial) · Virtgold - MapleStory Classic World Mesos (RMT vendor)

Side by side

Classic World vs modern MapleStory

	Classic World	Modern MapleStory
Classes	4 original Explorer jobs only (no Pirate in Global; China/Taiwan versions have 5 incl. Pirate)	50+ classes
Level cap / progression	Lv100 cap at launch, 2nd job only; deliberately slow progression, EXP loss on death, manual AP/SP	Fast progression, deep systems, far higher cap
Content scope	Maple Island + Victoria Island, KPQ, 5 bosses; new original content (Forgotten Hollow, Crafting, Citizenship)	20+ years of content
Economy	Separate economy, fresh start from Lv1; Free Market, player stores; Classic-only Leaf Points	Separate; Maple Points/MVP don't carry over
Shared between games	Only NX balance is shared; IGNs, characters, items not shared; cannot transfer from Challenger World	same
Cash Shop	Cosmetics + convenience, gacha cosmetic crates; Gift feature at Lv12+	Extensive incl. progression-affecting items
Gameplay tweaks	Not 1:1 recreation: QoL changes, balance changes, party loot settings, WASD option	n/a

Founder's Access Release Notes · MapleStory official site meta description ('over 50 customizable classes') · China gets a launch date: CMS Classic opens August 3 (NiaMeowDB, cites Shengqu) · Inkwell on the Future of Global MapleStory and Classic World · What is MapleStory Classic World? (NiaMeowDB, fan) · MapleStory Classic World FAQ · Founder's Access Cash Shop · Sign Up for the Global MapleStory Classic World Closed Online Test · Classic World - MapleStory Wiki (fan)

Accounts

Accounts, regions and rules

Uses the same verified Nexon account as Global MapleStory; one game open at a time.
Sanctions are shared: a ban in GMS = ban in Classic World and vice versa.
Nexon ToS (eff. 2025-08-13): users have no ownership of accounts; 'You may not, and may not offer to, purchase, sell, gift, or trade any account' - attempts are void and may lead to termination; selling virtual items/currency on third-party sites or for anything of value is prohibited.
MapleStory support lists 'Gold Trading' (items/currency for real money) and 'Account trading' as User Abuse.
Founder's Access is tied to the Nexon account that bought the package; Founder's items claimable once per account per platform; outfit items are untradable after opening (transferable only to same account, same world).
Region: Nexon accounts are region-bound (GLOBAL / Taiwan / SEA / Korea / Japan) and cannot be used across regions. US, Canada, EU, UK, LatAm, Oceania, Russia, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Turkey, India etc. are in GLOBAL. KR/JP/SEA/TW-HK-MO countries are not served by Global (third-party guides mention VPN workarounds; not sanctioned by Nexon).
Founder's Package purchase blocked in some regions ('Not available in Your Region'); Mystery (gacha) items not purchasable in Belgium, Slovakia, Brazil; Netherlands restrictions on MFC trading.
RMT market already exists: third-party sites sell Classic World mesos (e.g., virtgold, ezg, u4n, mmoexp, boostroom); no account listings found in this check.

Founder's Access Pre-Download Instructions Nexon Launcher and Steam · MapleStory Classic World FAQ · Maple Memo: Notice Regarding Account Sanctions Across Global MapleStory and Global MapleStory Classic World · Nexon Terms of Service (effective August 13, 2025) · What activities constitute 'User Abuse?' · Founder's Packages: Frequently Asked Questions · Founder's Access Has Begun! · Nexon Account Country Selection FAQ · MapleStory Classic World Region Locked? Korea, Japan & SEA (LagoFast, commercial) · Founder's Access Cash Shop · Virtgold - MapleStory Classic World Mesos (RMT vendor) · Web search: Classic World meso vendors (ezg.com, u4n.com, mmoexp.com, boostroom.com)

2025 to 2026

MapleStory Classic timeline

17 Apr 2025Announced during Global MapleStory 20th anniversary; Nemi (Miyoung Oh) returns as lead designer; described as a world integrated into the global version, new characters required.
15 May 2025Sign-ups for first in-person playtest (Nexon America office, El Segundo, CA).
16 Jun 2025First in-person playtest (fan wiki: 30 players from 18,000+ sign-ups).
2025-10Playable demo at MapleCon LA 2025 (15-minute sessions).
2026-01-15..2026-02-13In-person PC Cafe public test in Los Angeles area.
2026-04-16..2026-04-24Closed Online Test #1 (Maple Island + Victoria Island, 1st/2nd job, Crafting); character wipe after.
22 Apr 2026Nexon permanently bans accounts that accessed the COT without authorization.
29 Jul 2026Taiwan/HK/Macau 'New MapleStory: Classic' (Gamania) opens; login overload on day 1.
3 Aug 2026China Classic (Shengqu) full launch: 5 jobs, Lv100 cap.
2026-08-04..2026-08-12Global Closed Online Test #2: adds macOS, controllers, Spanish, Ossyria (Orbis/El Nath/Dead Mine from Aug 8), 3rd job at Lv70; wipe after.
21 Aug 2026Ossyria report: Founder's Access Oct 6, Grand Launch Oct 21; no further COT; Orbis/El Nath/3rd job held back from launch build for rework.
2 Sept 2026Founder's Packages on sale (Nexon web + Steam Zakum only) until 2026-10-14 23:59 PDT.
11 Sept 2026Nexon 'Maple Memo' on unauthorized private servers: formal legal action ongoing; playing them violates ToS.
22 Sept 2026Nexon: GMS and Classic World are one service under one account; bans apply across both.
29 Sept 2026Official Classic World FAQ published.
2 Oct 2026Inkwell interview: not a 1:1 recreation; slower progression; monetization focused on cosmetics/convenience; roadmap at MapleStory Fest.
6 Oct 2026Founder's Access begins 11:00 AM PDT (18:00 UTC).
8 Oct 2026Unscheduled maintenance; KPQ restricted to channels 3-6 due to crowding on Ch1-2; Ch1-4 connection fix.
13 Oct 2026Third-party early reception: crowded training maps, KPQ queues, bot concerns.
14 Oct 2026Founder's Package sales end.
17 Oct 2026MapleStory Fest (Los Angeles): post-launch roadmap planned.
21 Oct 2026Grand Launch, free for all, 11:00 AM PDT (Oct 22 4:00 AM AEST); Megaphone level req rises Lv10->Lv15 after launch.

Playing modern MapleStory as well? See all classes and a 2026 tier list, Kronos vs Hyperion vs Solis and MapleStory accounts for sale.

Answers

MapleStory Classic FAQ

When does MapleStory Classic World release?

The Grand Launch is on 21 October 2026 at 11:00 PDT (18:00 UTC), free for everyone. Founder’s Access for package buyers has run since 6 October, and that progress carries over: there is no wipe at launch.

Is MapleStory Classic free?

Yes, from 21 October 2026. It has a Cash Shop (NX and a new Leaf Points currency) and no subscription. Founder’s Packages only gave early access and cosmetics, and their sale ended on 14 October.

Do I need a new account for MapleStory Classic?

No. Classic World uses the same Nexon account as Global MapleStory, but you make new characters. Only the NX balance is shared between the two; characters, names, items and mesos are not.

Is MapleStory Classic on Steam and Mac?

Yes. It runs on Windows and macOS, through the Nexon Launcher as a standalone client or through the MapleStory app on Steam with a linked Nexon account.

What classes are in MapleStory Classic?

At launch, the four original Explorer jobs (Warrior, Magician, Bowman, Thief) up to 2nd job and level 100. Pirate is not in the Global version. Orbis, El Nath and 3rd job were tested but held back to be added later.

Is MapleStory Classic the same as Artale or a private server?

No. Artale and MapleLand are creator-made worlds on the MapleStory Worlds platform, and private servers such as MapleRoyals are unauthorized copies that Nexon says it is taking legal action against. Classic World is run by Nexon itself.

Can I buy a MapleStory Classic account?

Yes, on request. Classic World has just launched, so we source characters to order: tell us the job, level and anything else you need on Discord and we will find one. As with any MapleStory account, trading is against Nexon’s terms; our lifetime warranty covers recovery by the previous owner, not bans, and a ban applies to both Classic and modern MapleStory on that Nexon account.

In stock

MapleStory accounts in stock

Modern MapleStory accounts on Heroic and Interactive worlds, hand-checked with a lifetime warranty against recovery. Classic World characters are sourced on request.

In stock today151 accountsEvery listing states the world, the main character’s job, level and Combat Power, and the Legion level.Browse MapleStory accounts →Worlds & terms102 on Heroic worldsHeroic and Interactive worlds, Legion, HEXA, libbed and dlibbed weapons, Eternal and pitched gear, explained.Read the glossary →In stock

280 Aran | 370M CP | 7 Set PB | 9600+ Legion$1009View account →In stock

Server: Reboot (Heroic) or Interactive
Main character level, job and combat power
Gear: star force, potentials, Eternal and Genesis
Legion level, Arcane and Sacred Power

See market price index →Lifetime recovery warrantyIf a previous owner ever takes the account back, the original buyer gets a replacement or a refund. Included in the price. Publisher bans are not covered.Warranty terms →Account selectionTell us what you need — the champions, skins, rank or server — and we will find the account for you.Ask on Discord →