Lost Ark Dev Reveals Anniversary Celebrations

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As the third anniversary of the widely played MMORPG “Lost Ark” approaches on Steam, it continues to be one of the platform’s most-played games. This year marks a significant milestone for “Lost Ark,” and the game’s massive player base has already been enjoying special events, updates, and gifts in celebration. The community’s reaction to these offerings has been overwhelmingly positive.

There’s lots more in store for you as we approach the third anniversary of Lost Ark on Anniversary Island! Expect more exciting events, prize giveaways, and some beloved characters rejoining the celebration. We had a chat with Matthew Huston, associate franchise lead for Lost Ark at Amazon Games, to get the inside scoop before the big day. Here’s an abridged and clear version of our conversation.

Anniversary Events And Free Gifts

Question: Why did they decide to begin the “Festa of Arkesia” annual celebration earlier than usual, specifically starting it in late January this year?

This year, the “Festa of Arkesia” began ahead of schedule due to a slight shift in our monthly update timings. Historically, these updates have fallen within the anniversary window, but this time around, they arrived earlier. However, we’re planning a small celebration for the anniversary day as well, so keep an eye out for further updates!

A. Did you find it enjoyable observing the community’s response, and do you have any further ideas for Anniversary Island?

What makes this game exceptional is its community, and I’ve relished the opportunity to move from behind-the-scenes and engage in more open communication with everyone. All sorts of feedback are valuable as they guide us towards shaping the game’s future. As for our plans for Anniversary Island, we aim to maintain creativity and fun. If you recall last year’s Arkesia Festival and Birthday Bash, it’s likely that we’ll continue this tradition of annual themes on this special day.

A. Is it possible for me to provide a few clues regarding the upcoming anniversary gift that the players will receive near the end of January or early February?

A. This year, everyone can expect more of the coveted Una tickets and recovery brews – just kidding! Instead, we have some exciting gifts in store and a special treat on our social media platforms, so keep an eye out for those updates. I’ll be sharing something that includes several selection chests, so I hope you find something perfect for your needs.

2024 was a year filled with fresh updates and enhancements for the game. Could we encapsulate it in a few words? A year of advancements and refinements!

B. In essence, this year has been a whirlwind of innovation! We introduced Thaemine Leaderboards, seamlessly combined regions, launched Bound Gold, and ran Ignite Servers alongside Hyper Awakening. Additionally, we unveiled new continents, a fresh class (Breaker), and a variety of events – seasonal, non-seasonal, you name it! Behind the scenes, our team has tirelessly ensured everything runs smoothly. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved, and there have been valuable lessons learned throughout this journey.

Introducing A New Class

A. What’s the connection between the new Wild Soul Advanced Class, scheduled for release in early February, and our upcoming anniversary celebration? I’d love to share some details about the creation process behind this unique class with transformative abilities like shifting into animals or casting spirit beast spells while in human form.

As a passionate fan, I’d like to clarify that while the release of this new Specialist class coincides with our anniversary month, there’s no direct connection between the two events. Instead, it seems the timing was carefully chosen for optimal impact. Given its recent debut in Korea and the strategic benefits of February as a launch month for us, it made perfect sense to unveil it now.

While we didn’t contribute to the overall development of this class, I must admit that it brings a refreshing twist to the game, setting it apart from other classes. Despite the divided opinions, I have no doubt that many players will find its unique qualities appealing and integrate it into their teams.

Could you provide additional details on the series of events connected to the introduction of the updated Wild Soul Advanced Class?

In this stage, most players should now be familiar with the happenings that accompany the introduction of a new class. I’m hinting that something similar is on the horizon, but we always strive to make it unique or alter the rewards according to the present game conditions. We are planning to reintroduce an event that was successful in the past, though with necessary modifications, so stay tuned for further information as part of our February update.

Previous Celebrations And The Future Of Lost Ark

A. Compared to past anniversaries, how does this one feel in terms of effort put in with fresh content and unique events, and what impact will this year’s festivities have on the game?

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but express my enthusiasm about how this anniversary surpassed previous ones. From the onset, everything that was unveiled felt innovative and particularly captivating during the anniversary period. This year, we didn’t just maintain the same level of content, but we arguably increased it with events, skins, and an exclusive quest line.

Each anniversary has a unique theme, and this year’s event was all about celebrating with the community. Roxx and I were given the incredible opportunity to be in Arkesia itself, collaborating with players to organize a grand celebration. It had a personal touch that made it truly special. So, what does this celebration signify for the game this year? To me, it symbolizes creativity and a willingness to experiment with new ideas.

Q. Could you give any insight into further plans for 2025 and beyond?

At the moment, I’m unable to reveal many specifics, but let me clarify that our creative strategies for content delivery and adaptations are particularly focused on catering to the Western audience as we approach Korea. While you may not notice us using official names or interacting directly on social platforms, rest assured, we’re highly active and closely monitoring player feedback and opinions. I encourage you all to continue these discussions and express your thoughts freely. Whenever possible, please participate in surveys too, as this valuable input helps us shape the future of Lost Ark for all players.

Q. When you reflect on the game, what has been the biggest lesson of the past three years?

Over the past three years, it’s been an incredible journey to be involved. We’ve experienced our fair share of highs and lows, which is typical for such a significant game with so many dedicated players worldwide. The most significant lesson I’ve learned from this period revolves around the players themselves. Operating a Korean game in the Western market means dealing with passionate gamers across various regions. When changes are implemented, it initiates discussions in different regions and vice versa. For instance, Lost Ark players closely monitor other regions, and to some extent, our decisions need to take into account global perspectives. On the flip side, player feedback is highly valuable, and interacting with them, when appropriate, offers a unique advantage. I look forward to leveraging these interactions even more as we move forward into the next three years.

Q. Are there any other ways that you are celebrating internally?

B. We strive to maintain an enjoyable and lively atmosphere, often socializing with each other while discussing games like Lost Ark or others. This year, our team was gifted some fantastic merchandise, which included a Lost Ark soccer jersey that we gave out among the members. You might catch me wearing it in our upcoming roadmap video. Many of us plan to play the game for its anniversary, taking pleasure in the new content alongside the gamers. However, celebrations are short-lived as we have much work ahead for 2025! Keep an eye out for that new class coming up later this month.

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2025-02-11 17:18