Unleashed coming to GMS starting June 19th!

Exaggeration. False assumption. Incorrect information/false assumption. False assumption.

Basically, stop.

Hadriel

Before moving on, I strongly recommend that you a) Google your prices and b) Google relevant market research/statistics.
A sub-$500 computer is not a luxury good. Assuming that he would be able to afford a budget computer is neither obnoxious nor far-fetched. I made a sound assumption, and I was wrong. There is nothing more and nothing less to it. I don't see why some people here like to blow things out of proportion.

As for whether Maple should cater to them: well, one of the draws Maple used to have was low hardware requirements. People whose old computers had weak CPUs and ancient or no GPUs, or whose internet connection is slow or limited, could still play MapleStory.
Lately, NexonKR seems to have made the strategic decision that people who can't afford to upgrade their computers probably can't afford much (or any) NX either, so pineapple them. Nexon keeps making the game heavier and heavier, on CPU, graphics, and memory requirements. Just because it's their decision doesn't mean we can't protest, though.

The average budget-oriented machine could not play anything more advanced than Maple back then, true. But times have changed; your average budget machine is both cheaper in nominal and absolute terms. Even if Maple was and still is targeting the casual gamer market, the standards have changed. It's been a decade; assuming that the same player-base from 10 years ago are still playing your game on the exact same machine as they were back then is illogical.

The same could essentially be said about any software developer. New software doesn't support older operating systems. New operating systems don't support older hardware. Are the developers necessarily using the same 'if they can't afford the new OS, they won't have the money to give me either' sort of mentality? Or is it more because of hardware and software limitations causing feasibility issues--and that tailoring development for an arguably small minority affects growth options for the company?

If Nexon wants to modernise their game and keep up with the competition, sacrifices have to be made. I have no doubt that if they reverted to pre-BB level graphics and UI, the game would run faster. But would it feel polished and appealing to players?