No one logged in today because of Lost Ark

[StriderShinryu]

I doubt Lost Ark will be a total flash in the pan but it'll probably hover around the BDO-level of playerbase after the initial boom.

I agree completely. There's a number of reasons why Lost Ark is experiencing such a huge initial boom. It's F2P so there's no real reason not to at least try it. It's really popular and everyone seems to be playing it so, combined with F2P, that momentum is going to bring in a lot of players. We're in a content lull across gaming in general right now so people are looking to fill time before the heavy hitters start coming out in a couple weeks. And, of course, Lost Ark really is an actually fun game to just jump in and play so those who try it aren't likely to be initially repelled. Remember that just because the concept of "Ewww P2W Korean Trash!!1!" is a factor amongst some portions of the service game playerbase, the vast majority of people don't care or even know about any of that. They just see something being popular and/or looking cool and/or their friends talking about it and so they at least try it.

Now, given the structure of the game, I don't see it lasting all that long. Once there are other games to play and once players start running into the actual End Game grind and repetition, P2W or not, they're going to start bouncing off hard. This is where the F2P element of the game is going to be an issue because for all of the "Easy In" that F2P provides, it also makes things (and the game service itself) "Easy Out." Given that it's a globally popular game and that it seems like they're basically rushing players to a point of near parity with the Korean version, I highly doubt the game is going to fail outright or anything like that, but there is little chance Lost Ark is going to be a major player in the MMO space in a years time.

[Amon-ster]

I agree completely. There's a number of reasons why Lost Ark is experiencing such a huge initial boom. It's F2P so there's no real reason not to at least try it. It's really popular and everyone seems to be playing it so, combined with F2P, that momentum is going to bring in a lot of players. We're in a content lull across gaming in general right now so people are looking to fill time before the heavy hitters start coming out in a couple weeks. And, of course, Lost Ark really is an actually fun game to just jump in and play so those who try it aren't likely to be initially repelled. Remember that just because the concept of "Ewww P2W Korean Trash!!1!" is a factor amongst some portions of the service game playerbase, the vast majority of people don't care or even know about any of that. They just see something being popular and/or looking cool and/or their friends talking about it and so they at least try it.

Now, given the structure of the game, I don't see it lasting all that long. Once there are other games to play and once players start running into the actual End Game grind and repetition, P2W or not, they're going to start bouncing off hard. This is where the F2P element of the game is going to be an issue because for all of the "Easy In" that F2P provides, it also makes things (and the game service itself) "Easy Out." Given that it's a globally popular game and that it seems like they're basically rushing players to a point of near parity with the Korean version, I highly doubt the game is going to fail outright or anything like that, but there is little chance Lost Ark is going to be a major player in the MMO space in a years time.

While I agree mostly I think it's important to recognize just how many displaced MMO players there are right now. I think it'll still be big, but I definitely don't think we'll be seeing "Lost Ark just hit 25 million players!" big or what have you. F2P and a content lull does absolutely help to boost it up right now, but in the case of World of Warcraft it's way more than a content lull. I think Lost Ark is a solid game, and that it launched at the absolute best time to launch a new MMO. It's my experience that grind doesn't actually bother people, as WoW was a big grind but still held onto its massive playerbase until very recently. Relic weapons are a grind but people still complete them on all 19 jobs (I think there's 19 right now). Grind isn't really an issue if it's a game you love, if it's your home game. And right now, there are millions of people looking for a new home game, much more than there have been since WoW released 17 years ago.

[MidnightEquinox]

I don't really feel that LA qualifies as an MMO, tbh, in the typical trappings, which is things like customization, community feel, world. I think it's an ARPG masquerading as an MMO, so it will stick with a chunk of people because why not, but I don't see it really competing in the MMO space much once people figure that out.

[Imoye]

I don't really feel that LA qualifies as an MMO, tbh, in the typical trappings, which is things like customization, community feel, world. I think it's an ARPG masquerading as an MMO, so it will stick with a chunk of people because why not, but I don't see it really competing in the MMO space much once people figure that out.

The game plays nothing like an MMO - traditional ones at least. Western players don't want hardcore grind as a main gameplay element, but that is what this game offers. If you want to be the best, you have to mindlessly grind or pay up. Lost Ark will undoubtedly tank sooner or later for this reason. It would've been better off long-term as B2P and with a minor comestic-only cash shop.

I still think the game offers a very good combat experience and is definitely worth trying out.

[StriderShinryu]

I don't really feel that LA qualifies as an MMO, tbh, in the typical trappings, which is things like customization, community feel, world. I think it's an ARPG masquerading as an MMO, so it will stick with a chunk of people because why not, but I don't see it really competing in the MMO space much once people figure that out.

That's very true, and that's one of the reasons why I don't think it will have much staying power. Like I said before, once players hit that End Game grind I think they'll start bouncing off of it. While it may well be true that MMOs do tend to all have some level of grind once you reach the end game, they also offer a lot more than just that. There's an ongoing story and world. There's continual content to keep you interested outside of just new things to fight. There's more of a sense of community. Lost Ark has the trappings of an MMO without the long form substance of one, as evidenced by just how the game is not only rushing players to end game but then giving out in game tickets to power level your second and eventually third class to end game. Maybe they have a bigger plan once all game regions are at virtual parity but given that the game has been out for years in Korea and hasn't seemed to offer more than an end game gear treadmill grind I'm not sure I would put money on it.

And, again, before anyone jumps in and says "You're just a FF14 fanboy who is bashing LA for no reason!!1!" Sorry, but I'm actually quite enjoying Lost Ark. I've spent quite a few hours this weekend playing it and look forward to playing more. It's a fun game. It just doesn't really the feature set needed to have staying power in the MMO space because, frankly, it really isn't an MMO outside of the coat it's dressing itself up in.

[Nafreyu]

I don't think the definition of a games success should be defined as the same way an MMO player would define, which is often the most extreme of the scale being All In, Totally Obsessed, I-don't-have-much-time-for-anything else.

This game can quite happily occupy the slot of something you log into for a bit, or a couple times a week and doesn't need to be a replacement. It can coexist because it's differences are what makes it stand out. I think people underestimate it's potential.

I don't see the need for people to population forecast and predict the growth, longevity, or success of a game when they aren't fortune tellers, and realistically don't have the professional training or acumen to make those calls.

Either you enjoy it, or you don't

[Cheremia]

I'm not logging in because of Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Didn't even know what Lost Ark was until somebody mentioned it lol

[EaraGrace]

Good for Lost Ark, and ultimately good for 14! 14 had a successful launch, and there's only been signs of growth so theres no danger of competition pushing it out of the market entirely.

And at the same time having other MMOs be popular means players get more choice in what content they'd like to spend time on, and it means its less likely that Square (not Yoshi P or CBU III mind you, I think the team isn't one to rest on its laurels) will become complacent.

All good news all around I'd say.

[OhNooo]

Good for Lost Ark, and ultimately good for 14! 14 had a successful launch, and there's only been signs of growth so theres no danger of competition pushing it out of the market entirely.

And at the same time having other MMOs be popular means players get more choice in what content they'd like to spend time on, and it means its less likely that Square…will become complacent.

I agree. I think it’s better to have different options than to have one or two companies holding an mmorpg monopoly.

[Tlamila]

I logged in today to Lost Ark. Queue position 15202 on Asta. I logged off. :S

Cheers

The population is super weird, cause for example on EU you have that kind of crazy queues, in fact it seems they're adding a new EU dc? but then I'm on NA east mainly and I never had to do any queue at all, not even of 10 persons, I just instantly get in. they even barely added any server for it on official launch. while NA West is almost as crowded as eu