🎤 Head over Wadizand you’ll find MapleStory, Jinro Toad, Naver Webtoon, and more ~ 🎵
If you’re a die-hard fan of any of these or frequently check out crowdfunding campaigns, you’ll know that Wadiz, projects featuring the same character or brand launch all at once, just like a festival parade. Is this curious phenomenon just a coincidence?
No way!Since 2021,Wadizhas beenacting as a bridge between brandsthat own *IP (intellectual property)—such as characters and brands—and makers who want to showcase new products based on that IP.Thanks to this, die-hard fans get more opportunities to indulge their passions—it’s a win-win-win situation!
*IP (Intellectual Property): A general term referring to industrial property rights, such as patents, trademarks, and designs, as well as copyrights related to literary, musical, and artistic works (Source: Doosan Encyclopedia)
Among the IPs we’ve collaboratedWadiz, there’s one we’ve partnered with twice: “MapleStory,” which turned 20 this year. A total of 17 projects have been created in collaboration with MapleStory. From the project lead who oversees it all a story you won’t hear anywhere elsehas arrived.
This story is dedicated to all the die-hard MapleStory fans out there.
(Please continue to support our IP projects withWadiz😉)
Stories from the MapleStory Event Planner
Hello! I’m B, a member of Wadiz Partnership and Planning Team responsible for managing IP product campaigns.
We recruit makers to develop IP products fromWadizpartner companies and provide support throughout the entire process—from product development and launch to marketing. Now, let me sharethe behind-the-scenes story of the MapleStory campaign by keyword!
#MakerSelection #ProductSelection #HOW
MapleStory has hosted special events twice. MapleStory is the only game to have held two special events under the same IP.
The first initiative was an open call called “Fan Makers.” We selected a total of 11 teams of creators who wanted to develop products based on the MapleStory IP. Anyone with a business registration could participate. Thanks to this, we were able to introduce many products that broke the mold of conventional merchandise, such as the Pink Bean Pot and the Orange Mushroom Apron.
Wadizsecond Fan Maker IP: Nexon’s ‘MapleStory’
After our first exhibition ended, many supporters were clamoring for an encore. The number of requests for a reopening kept changing every day! With fans calling out for it, we couldn’t help but respond. We launched our second exhibition with six projects—the three introduced in the first exhibition, plus additional projects from our internal teams.
#MapleStory #Lore #Study = #Play
To select creators and products and provide support throughout the process, understanding the IP was absolutely essential. I realized that the best way to study the MapleStory universe and characters was to actually play the game myself. It really helped me grasp the game’s atmosphere and terminology! Although, since I’m not very good at games, it was absolutely—no, never—possible for me to understand it as well as the dedicated heroes (players) who are truly passionate about MapleStory.
#PM #Episode #ProductDevelopmentSite #Visit
I had the opportunity to visit the three makers who participated in the MapleStory IP exhibition, specifically the product development phase. One of the makers runs a company specializing in licensing, so I was able to see many designers at work. Another maker was a ceramic artisan, and I got to see their pottery tools and the lively atmosphere of their workshop firsthand.
I was deeply impressed by how these makers developed IP products in their own unique ways, each in their own distinct environment. When I returned to the office, I reflected on that experience and tried to imagine and understand the makers’ situations. Thanks to that, I was able to successfully execute the special exhibition.
Watch that video from back then 👉MapleStory with Startups, and the Funding Story
#ProjectLaunch #OverwhelmingResponse #GladWeLaunchedThis
The second campaign featured only six projects—just half the number of the first campaign’s 11 projects—but we raised 430 million won, an increase of about 80 million won! (I wonder if word got around after the first campaign 😏)
Supporters enthusiastically embraced Mushroom House’s mood lights and keychains. The keychains, in particular, gained even more popularity after rumors spread on social media that one of the members of the global idol group B owned one. The response was red-hot🔥, with over 2.4 times as many people signing up for notifications compared to our first campaign, and we raised approximately 100 million won in just two days.
Source:[MapleStory] Monsters armed with cuteness are coming into my daily life! Mood lights & keychains
#Creator #ThankYou #Love #Reason
The reason I’m particularly passionate about the IP business is that it provides creators with better opportunities.
I once received a thank-you note from a MapleStory creator. It was their first IP project, and they thanked me for helping them create a solid reference. While the project’s results are important, the greatest reward of my work is being able to provide them with a successful case study that can benefit their business.
#SNS #Giveaway #Event
MapleStory has a huge fan base among people in their 20s and 30s because it’s been a part of their lives since childhood. (In South Korea, not knowing it is practically unthinkable.) Since we were confident it would be a success, we decided to run a Twitter event to spread the word about our crowdfunding campaign to as many people as possible. After all, Twitter has a massive fan base and content spreads like wildfire there!
This was a giveaway event where we presented MapleStory’s first-ever limited-edition merchandise as a gift to those who retweeted the event post within approximately four days of the funding campaign launch. We thought that by giving away merchandise from previous campaigns, we could highlight Wadizongoing collaboration with Nexon to bring MapleStory products to market, while also promoting this latest campaign in a fun and engaging way.
We had a whopping 290 participants! Our social media manager was live-streaming the event, noting that we were breaking participation records every day—I can’t tell you how proud that made me feel.
Twitter Event to Celebrate the Launch of the Second MapleStory Special Event
#Product Manager's #MapleStory #Product
As the PM for the MapleStory promotional event, it wouldn’t make sense if I didn’t have a single product I actually use. I’m really into the Pink Bean mouse pad! (I’m using it right now as I write this 😁)
When I first saw the samples, Pink Bean caught my eye—made from a unique material, it just seemed to gaze at me so smoothly. I just knew. This is the one. Let’s back it.
Even though I have a mouse pad at home, if I’m working from home the next day, I always make sure to bring it with me from the office. It’s a small, precious, and cherished friend that brightens up my workspace.
So cute
#WhatMapleStoryMeansToMe #Nexon #MovingForward
They say familiarity breeds affection… Since MapleStory is the IP we’ve worked with most frequently on our team, I’ve really grown fond of it! It’s also made me want to collaborate with Nexon on developing even more exciting products based on other game IPs.
In addition to MapleStory, the Mabinogi Organ crowdfunding campaign recently concluded successfully. We’re all brainstorming ways to better connect with fans of Nexon’s various games and bring them even more joy. See you soon!
