Today, South Korean Kakao Games reported its quarterly financial results and shared some new details about ArcheAge 2 during the earnings call with investors.
The MMORPG announced last year will be different from its predecessor since publisher Kakao Games and developer XL Games are making it specifically for Western players, taking into account console users, whereas the first one was a decidedly South Korean PC MMO. As a result, the large-scale faction PvP is being abandoned while more focus is being put on story-based PvE content (single player and co-op for small parties tackling dungeons). Guild versus Guild PvP strife will remain, mainly centered around trade runs. Kakao Games is planning a reveal at Gamescom 2024 with a Closed Beta Test later that year.
ArcheAge 2 is a radical departure from its predecessor’s large-scale PvP between factions, reflecting the Western market’s familiarity with action-packed, single-player-based console games. Instead, single-player content was the primary focus for growth, with players enjoying the fun of strategically capturing strongholds through sophisticated non-targeting actions.
The game also has a rich community component, with small parties and guilds tackling dungeons and trading specialized goods through trade. The game also features a campaign mode that combines the conflicts and battles between guilds that trade and those that seek to sabotage and plunder, as well as the conflicts and changes in the major factions and characters from the original story, into a complete scenario. The game is being developed in parallel for PC and console platforms since the beginning of development, and we will probably reveal more details and core gameplay elements in various forms at next year’s Gamescom. Furthermore, we are aiming for a CBT in 2024.
With such a schedule, ArcheAge 2 is unlikely to be fully released before the end of the year as originally promised. Still, it wouldn’t be unexpected, as game delays are par the course for the industry.
According to information previously shared by Lineage creator Executive Producer Jake Song, The Unreal Engine 5-powered MMORPG will improve the predecessor’s trade system by allowing players to set up caravans alone, in small groups, or in large raids. Housing will be expanded, too, providing greater customization options and even allowing guilds to create their own towns.
