(Nexon)
(Nexon)

Nexon Foundation is expanding its social contribution efforts beyond gaming, using its flagship game MapleStory to support pediatric medical care, coding education and community development, the company said Wednesday.

“We believe gaming can be a powerful tool for social good,” a Nexon official said. “As one of Nexon’s longest-running and most beloved games, MapleStory has become a platform for meaningful community initiatives that extend beyond the screen.”

Game-powered philanthropy

One of Nexon’s key initiatives, the Sound Sharing Project, supports children with hearing impairments through language rehabilitation tools.

Using MapleStory’s themes and characters, the foundation developed Sound Friend Yeti, a speech therapy aid, and Magical Snail Wow, an educational animation aimed at raising awareness of hearing disabilities.

In December 2023, Nexon introduced Maple Leaf Playground, a project designed to transform outdated and unsafe playgrounds into interactive spaces. Developed in collaboration with local children and community members, the first MapleStory-themed playground features Mushmom climbing structures based on the giant orange mushroom character.

A satisfaction survey by social welfare group Good Neighbors and playground design firm iDdang found that young visitors rated the playground 9.2 out of 10, with many highlighting the variety of play options. Encouraged by the response, Nexon plans to open a second Maple Leaf Playground this year.

Meanwhile, HelloMaple, a free block-based coding education platform launched in September 2023, surpassed 200,000 registered users within three months. Nexon said studies showed a 50.5 percent improvement in computational thinking skills among users, attributing the platform’s success to its gamified learning approach.

Nexon’s first Maple Leaf Playground located in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. (Nexon)
Nexon’s first Maple Leaf Playground located in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. (Nexon)

Players giving back

Beyond corporate-led efforts, MapleStory players have actively participated in Nexon’s social initiatives.

Through the Sound Sharing Project, two in-game donation events drew over 350,000 participants, raising funds to provide cochlear implants and assistive device replacements for 67 children with hearing impairments.

Additionally, Nexon’s Hero Campaign, held across 22 of its games last December, saw MapleStory players quickly claim all 100,000 available donation packages, with many continuing to donate privately after the official campaign ended, the company said.

To mark Nexon’s 30th anniversary, around 200,000 MapleStory players participated in the year-long Kind Gift Relay Event, providing essential items to Dotori House, South Korea’s first independent pediatric palliative care center. Nexon said MapleStory made additional contributions by donating tablets for every hospital bed, allowing young patients to access entertainment and educational content during their treatment.

Last year, proceeds from MapleStory’s 20th-anniversary commemorative medal sales contributed 100 million won ($69,027) toward building Maple Leaf Dream Center, a multipurpose activity room at Dotori House. Nexon later added 300 million won ($207,070) to support its operations, according to the company.

“Through MapleStory, we aim to create a platform where both the company and players can engage in meaningful contributions,” a Nexon official added. “We are committed to continuing these efforts to foster a positive and sustainable impact on society.”

Nexon CEO Kim Jung-wook (left) poses for a commemorative photo with Seoul National University Hospital President Kim Young-tae, and Nexon MapleStory General Director Kim Chang-seop at the donation ceremony held at Seoul National University Hospital in Seoul on Feb. 4, 2025. (Nexon)
Nexon CEO Kim Jung-wook (left) poses for a commemorative photo with Seoul National University Hospital President Kim Young-tae, and Nexon MapleStory General Director Kim Chang-seop at the donation ceremony held at Seoul National University Hospital in Seoul on Feb. 4, 2025. (Nexon)