While it varies by period, MapleStory has traditionally held events for new and returning users in the summer, and events specialized for existing users in the winter. There is a lot of anticipation for this summer as well. Although there is still quite a bit of time left until the showcase, players are already sharing various predictions about what content might be released.

What updates will be revealed at this showcase? Director Kim Chang-seop has always brought updates that exceed our expectations, making it difficult to predict, but let's get our hopes up and speculate!

※ This article is an interest-based piece written based on user reactions and various predictions before the showcase. Please confirm the actual update details through the showcase held on Saturday, June 13.

The biggest point of interest during the peak summer update season is, as always, whether a new character will be released. Even now, there are many jobs, and there are no shortage of issues to solve, such as existing job remasters and job balance, but it remains the hottest topic for updates both internally and externally.

Many users see the possibility of a new character release as low. Usually, new characters go through a test period of at least one to two weeks, but the test server operation period is short this time. Of course, this is not official, so we cannot confirm that it won't be released, and there is still a possibility that a new character will be released.

If one is released, it seems likely to be in the DEX/Pirate category, which is the most lacking... but since 'Lynn' was released last time, breaking expectations, we'll have to wait for the showcase.

There is also a possibility that a job remaster will take place. While a job remaster might feel a bit lacking as the main feature of a peak season update, it is an update that must be done and is content that many users are waiting for.

The name of this showcase, 'OVERDRIVE', can be interpreted as 'exceeding limits' or 'accelerated state'. As the teaser movie also showed a modern atmosphere full of neon signs, many users are predicting a remaster of the Resistance, which includes Mechanic and Blaster. Demon Avenger and Demon Slayer, also part of the Resistance, are considered jobs that need a major overhaul. Since the concept fits well and the justification is sufficient, it's something worth looking forward to.

We can also expect the addition of a new 6th job skill. During the peak season, patches that raise characters' specs to the next level are usually introduced. Last winter, the common skill 'Sol Hekate' was added, and we were able to feel a definite spec up.

Many are of the opinion that a new 6th job skill will be added as a spec up element this time. The ongoing 'Summer Countdown' event is providing a large amount of resources needed for 6th job skill leveling, so the possibility seems high. There are at least four 6th job skills left to be added, and since a common skill was added last time, many expect it's now the turn for 6th job skills.

As the 6th job skills added so far, Origin and Ascent, have significantly changed the gameplay itself, this new 6th job skill is also considered an update with high user expectations.

There is a possibility that spec up elements other than new skills will be added. The fourth Union Champion slot is currently open, and it has been quite a long time since this update, so it's about time for an addition. It would also be enough to provide motivation for training this summer's Hyper Burning character. We can also expect the addition of a fourth Hexa Stat.

These two elements are not entirely new updates, but since they are content that definitely contributes to spec up, quite a few users are likely hoping for their addition. As more users are aiming for the second Destiny liberation, it will be interesting to see if these spec up elements are added.

During the peak season, the Challengers server opens, and a Hyper Burning Booster is provided to support rapid growth. Last summer, it was possible to level up 1+2 up to level 260, and 1+1 up to level 270.

Quite a few users expect that the Hyper Burning benefits will be extended to level 280 this time. This is because more users are training with the goal of reaching level 285, which is the requirement for level 3 Link Skills. If this benefit is added, it would likely be an update that satisfies both new and existing users.

The possibility of the Genesis Pass being re-released is also highly anticipated. The Genesis Pass is a pass that allows you to obtain liberation weapons faster and more easily. Since it shortened difficult sections and provided motivation for play, many users are expecting and hoping for its re-release.

The launch of Item Burning was innovation itself. Until then, support for level acceleration was the main focus, and item support was somewhat lacking, but this patch solved that problem. At this point, it can be said that the existence of Item Burning is contributing the most to the settlement of new and returning users.

Item Burning benefits have increased with each event, and in last year's winter season, it was possible to obtain 22-star equipment. Now, even 22-star equipment has become a bit underwhelming. While the stat increase effect is good, it lacks the 'cooldown reduction effect', commonly known as 'cool-gam'.

Since it is difficult to obtain cooldown reduction options on the Challengers server, there was a tendency to avoid training jobs that are highly dependent on it. To solve this problem, perhaps this option will be added to Item Burning.

Recent MapleStory updates have been based on stacking vertical content. Higher-level regions and top-tier bosses have been released continuously. Currently, the highest difficulty bosses, Extreme Kaling and Hard Jupiter, have all been defeated.

MapleStory has consistently added bosses that can be a challenge even for top-tier users. From this perspective, there is a possibility that a top-tier boss will be added this time as well. However, bosses have usually been released alongside new regions. Since many users think it is still too early to add a level 300 region, we need to watch how it will be added.

The addition of a seasonal boss exclusive to the Challengers server is highly likely. The previous Challengers seasonal boss, 'Kai', was well-received for its high quality and rewards. It seems highly likely that a seasonal boss will appear this time as well.

MapleStory has conducted collaboration events with various works in the past. Among them, collaboration events like DAVE THE DIVER and Demon Slayer were evaluated as having high quality. As collaboration events are a good opportunity for new user influx, there is a possibility this time as well.

In particular, internal collaborations using the same IP, such as the MapleStory animation 'Dear My Hero' which premieres the day after the showcase, are highly likely to proceed.

Unexpected improvements have often been reflected during the peak season. Among them, there were major patches that changed the play pattern itself, such as skill sequences. While many parts of MapleStory have improved since the Kim Chang-seop director system, there are still many points that need to be addressed. Many users are waiting for updates to solve these problems this peak season.

The most representative one is job balance. Job balance is not something that can ever be perfectly matched. That is why it is an area that requires more careful and consistent care. Recently, there has been a lot of talk about the gap between jobs in 'Hard Kaling', the final gateway to the first Destiny liberation. I hope this problem will be alleviated with a proper balance patch this summer.

There are also many systemic elements that need improvement. The most representative one is the Challengers partner system. Since Director Kim Chang-seop has promised improvements, we should trust and wait. The fact that the investment value of the emblem provided by default on the Challengers server has decreased also seems to need improvement.

In addition to this, I hope various problems will be solved this summer, such as the 'Champion Battlefield' that puts Maple users in pain at the beginning of every month, and the boss cycle and bind resistance time, which have become new problems as the cooldown reduction effect has become the trend.