After this launch event, MapleStory players were categorized as either on the ship or just pretending to be.

When the invitation was handed to me, I never imagined a game launch would turn into this year's most special observation sample.

At 4 PM by the Huangpu River pier, holding that lotus-adorned ticket, my hand quivered slightly—don’t make fun, if you were invited by the official team to a cruise party, you’d be nervous too.

01 Boarding: From the moment you press the button, everyone becomes the star

The check-in machine at the boarding gate became the first highlight of the day.

Every player pressing the button, the instant their “exclusive number” lit up, was met with small cheers from themselves or those nearby. “Number 150!” “I’m 151, we’re right next to each other!”

Simple numbers turned into identity markers tonight. The commemorative ticket felt substantial; it wasn’t just an entry pass but a “mission item” throughout the evening.

02 Games: They say boarding depends on fate, playing games depends on luck

The game area’s rule was straightforward: play four mini-games, punch four holes on your commemorative ticket, then get a chance to draw a prize.

“Find and Seek” felt like a large-scale social experiment. After seeing the task, I randomly asked a player who was searching alone, “Need help with a photo? I have the same task.” He paused briefly, then happily agreed. After the photo, he pointed at the vintage monster guide nearby, saying, “Seeing these brings back my youth.”

“Fishing” was definitely the spot filled with the most nostalgia. The Green Slime—the very first monster all MapleStory players fought—brought everyone back to the newbie village. A girl who just caught a “Green Slime” excitedly told her friend, “It’s exactly like the first one I caught in Henesys!”

03 Stage: Between food and performances, the shape of “passion” revealed

On the second floor, the atmosphere changed completely. Long tables with food, the night view of the river, but players’ focus remained very much “Mapler.”

When ten professional cosplayers appeared one after another, players almost simultaneously took out their phones—many of these characters were the players’ favorite classes. The bond built over years through screens suddenly felt tangible.

The Fireline girl performing as “Lotus” lifted the mood to another level. On stage, she moved gracefully and fiercely, as if stepping out of an ink painting, each move perfectly capturing the spirit of the “Moonlit Wanderer.”

After the show ended, appetite took over. Everyone’s attention shifted to the food area. During the meal line, the conversation ahead was classic: “Do these MapleStory cupcakes boost attack power?” “You wish, at best they give a fullness buff.”

04 Departure: The river breeze and promises all held within a cup

The cruise slowly docked, and the lingering excitement spread across the deck. Players exchanged friend requests and promised to meet again in-game. I held tightly to my fully punched, slightly worn commemorative ticket. It doesn’t boost any game stats, but it’s the tangible proof of all the joy tonight.

About this launch event, I just want to say—on the ship, just off the dance floor, experience was perfect, I’ll definitely come again!