Utility

Let us discuss the first factor: utility. Utility refers to how effectively an item can be used across various situations. Generally, the more broadly applicable an item is, the greater interest it garners. For instance, while ordinary sneakers cannot effectively prevent slipping on ice, sneakers specially designed for icy conditions would be more useful, as they can be worn safely in a wider variety of situations. Therefore, if other factors such as appearance are identical, these specialized sneakers would be perceived as more desirable.

Utility is one of the crucial elements that determines the practical appeal of an object. A similar principle applies to game worlds. Consider two identical weapons, except that one has higher stats. In that case, the weapon with higher stats enables players to face stronger monsters and can be utilized in a wider range of scenarios, making it more useful.

Then, how has MapleStory made items more useful? It consistently introduced diverse new content to enhance RX by broadening the ways each item could be utilized. Over the past two decades, hundreds of developers have produced an immense volume of content such as new continents, areas, character classes, skill sets, boss monsters and intriguing achievement goals at a cost comparable to AAA game. MapleStory releases four to five major updates annually, totaling approximately ten updates when including minor and seasonal updates. The continued enthusiastic reception of these frequent, high-quality updates clearly demonstrates that MapleStory exemplifies what it means to be a "live game."

Each time new content is introduced to the game, the range of uses for each item expands, thereby increasing its practical appeal. This is why MapleStory has strived to enhance utility: it is the key to creating attractive items for online games and boosting RX.