The Nexon Foundation has collaborated with the Korea Creative Content Agency's 'New Content Academy (NCA) Short-term Course' to develop two bespoke interactive experiences for children at the Daejeon Sejong Chungnam Nexon Children's Rehabilitation Hospital.

The NCA short-term course is a program operated by the Korea Creative Content Agency to foster professional talent in new technology content fields such as AI and XR. It provides six months of practical training, including competency-building education and project development and commercialization in collaboration with leading content companies.

The Nexon Foundation participated in the NCA program to help alleviate the fear and discomfort that pediatric patients may feel while waiting for treatment, and to help them perceive their hospital experience more positively.

Through this project, two types of experiential content utilizing the MapleStory IP were created for children at the Daejeon Sejong Chungnam Nexon Children's Rehabilitation Hospital. These will be exhibited at the New Content Academy short-term course showcase during the AI Content Festival 2025, held at COEX from December 4th to 6th.

The content consists of mobile web-based interactive experiences and motion capture-based applications. First, 'Poneum' by the Open Source Lab team allows users to create their own mushroom characters (Poni) and observe their real-time interactions. Users can build affection with their Poni using decorations and snacks.

Additionally, 'Let's go! Maple' by Media Mingle x Blooming Hope features three mini-games synced to MapleStory BGM, such as clapping and bubble popping, as well as a reward zone where children can receive 'courage energy' items like candy and slap bracelets. It is designed to enhance the joy of visiting the hospital as a reward after treatment.

Nexon Foundation Chairman Kim Jung-wook stated, "This is highly significant as it is the first experiential content created using Nexon's IP for pediatric patients. We hope this content helps the hospital be remembered as a lively and warm space where children can enjoy fun games and meet their own mushroom friends."

Director Yang Shin-seung of the Daejeon Sejong Chungnam Nexon Children's Rehabilitation Hospital said, "Content that helps children actively move their bodies or express emotions during waiting times can have a positive effect on actual physical rehabilitation and psychological stability. We expect that children will feel the hospital is a safe and enjoyable place rather than a burdensome or boring one, allowing them to engage more actively in their rehabilitation treatment."