MapleStory Classic World Release Date and Times

The MapleStory Classic World release date is scheduled for October 21, 2026, at 11:00 AM PDT, according to Nexon's official FAQ. That is 18:00 UTC, with the published regional times shown below. As of October 7, 2026, Founder's Access has already begun, while Grand Launch remains an upcoming milestone. Orange Mushroom and Zakum package owners can enter the earlier phase, but the Snail package does not include that access.

01

Grand Launch date and published regional times

Nexon calls the October 21 opening Grand Launch and lists availability through both Nexon Launcher and Steam. The FAQ gives a specific weekday, date, and time, so there is more information than an approximate release window. Its announced regional times describe the same opening rather than separate regional launches. Players using the Australian time listed by Nexon should note that their calendar date is October 22.

These are the times in the official FAQ, with UTC shown as their equivalent. As of this guide's October 7 update, the announcement is a schedule, not evidence that the October 21 opening has happened. The package microsite also names October 21, but some of its wording says detailed server times will follow. For the precise opening time, this guide uses the more specific current FAQ and keeps the date marked as scheduled.

02

Founder's Access started on October 6

Founder's Access began on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 11:00 AM PDT, equivalent to 18:00 UTC. Nexon's other published times were 2:00 PM EDT, 8:00 PM CEST, and 4:00 AM AEST on October 7. The October 6 release notes describe the content and events for this phase. Seeing players already exploring Classic World therefore fits the announced timeline, even though Grand Launch is still two weeks later.

The package website describes Founder's Access as starting two weeks before Grand Launch. Access belongs to the account that purchased an eligible package, and Nexon explicitly says no beta key is required for that account to enter. A Zakum purchase through Steam also allows play through Nexon Launcher or Steam. The official information does not make an old closed-test invitation the requirement for this current phase.

03

Which package changes your start date?

The Orange Mushroom and Zakum packages include Founder's Access, while Snail does not. Nexon's package FAQ says Snail purchasers can enter when Classic World officially launches on October 21. This distinction concerns the date at which the package grants entry, rather than the cosmetic appearance of its rewards. All package items are described as cosmetic, without stats or gameplay bonuses.

The current FAQ says Steam offers only Zakum because package upgrades are not supported there in the same way as on Nexon's store. Snail and Orange Mushroom purchases made through the Nexon website can be upgraded during the sales period by paying the difference. Packages cannot be downgraded after purchase, and upgrades deliver only the added items. These store rules matter if you are deciding whether to join the phase already underway or wait for the scheduled Grand Launch.

04

Progress from the early phase carries over

Nexon's package website confirms that progress made during Founder's Access carries over when the game officially launches. That means the announced October 21 transition preserves the progress described for this phase. The statement is specifically about Classic World progress earned from the October 6 access period. It does not promise transfers of characters or progress from the separate modern MapleStory game.

The main FAQ reinforces that distinction by saying in-game names belong to their respective games. NX balance is shared, but game-specific features are not shared between MapleStory and Classic World. Challenger World transfers are also ruled out because that content belongs to MapleStory. Returning players can use the same service account while still starting within Classic World's own game systems.

05

What the current access version contains

As of October 7, the current release notes say every new character begins as a Beginner on Maple Island. Players then continue to Victoria Island, where the four first-job choices are Warrior, Magician, Bowman, and Thief. The notes put first job advancement at level 10, second job advancement at level 30, and the current maximum character level at 100. They also allow up to three characters per account, with a waiting period when deleting one.

The same version includes crafting from level 10, Citizenship from level 12, and the Kerning City Party Quest from level 21. Its listed bosses are Mano, Mushmom, Shade, Zombie Mushmom, and Jr. Balrog. Forgotten Hollow is not available during Founder's Access, and Nexon says it plans to add the area later. That later addition has no confirmed date in the saved announcement, so October 21 should not automatically be treated as its release date.

06

Events tied to different dates

The release notes schedule Founder's First Step from October 6 at 18:00 UTC through October 20 at 23:59 UTC. Characters at level 10 or above can accept its quest from Maple Administrator. Rewards follow a cumulative daily check-in count, so missing a day does not reset the example sequence described by Nexon. Rewards can be claimed once per account for each check-in day.

The Mark of Beta event is planned to begin at Grand Launch on October 21, 2026. Separately, accounts that completed the named qualifying event quests during Closed Online Tests #1 and #2 can claim the Classic Beginnings Label and Chat Ring at Grand Launch. The qualifying quests are “[Event] A Strange and Familiar Wood” and “[Event] Beyond the Unknown.” Those reward conditions concern earlier test participation; they do not replace the package access rules for playing on October 7.

07

Sales and mailbox deadlines are separate

The announced Founder package sale ends on October 14, 2026, at 11:59 PM PDT, equivalent to October 15 at 06:59 UTC. This is also the deadline for supported Nexon-store upgrades. It arrives before the scheduled Grand Launch and therefore should not be confused with the game's opening date. Nexon's package website and current FAQ agree on the sales deadline.

Founder package items have a different deadline: claim them from the Classic World mailbox before November 30, 2026, at 23:59 UTC. After claiming the package, you have 30 days to open it, and the package website says you must leave Maple Island before opening it. Delivery occurs automatically on the first Classic World login, without manual coupon redemption. The FAQ supplies the full November date where a line in the release notes omits the month.

08

Prepare for the scheduled opening

Nexon Launcher uses a MapleStory Classic World toggle to download the standalone client. Steam bundles MapleStory and Classic World, and Nexon recommends completing the MapleStory download and linking the intended Nexon account beforehand. Both Windows and macOS are confirmed by the official package page and release notes. Pending confirmation (待确认): the saved sources do not provide complete Mac installation steps, detailed system requirements, or a live server-status reading.

The official FAQ supplies the opening times and account rules used here. The Founder's Access release notes describe the October 6 version and dated events. The official package website confirms eligibility, progress carryover, and package deadlines. All dates and phase descriptions in this guide are based on the evidence saved as of October 7, 2026.