Lost Ark: server transfer to Smilegate in 2027 and what it means for players

In short

• Amazon Game Studios will end support for Lost Ark’s Western servers in 2027.
• Smilegate will take over and says players will keep their progress.
• New terms of service and the cancellation of active subscriptions will be required during the transition.

GAME-scanner analysis

The announcement that Amazon Game Studios will stop supporting Lost Ark’s Western servers in 2027 marks a major shift for the MMO community. Smilegate, the game’s original developer, is taking back control. This could be a positive development, as players may now have more direct contact with the developers who created the game. However, the transition will not be without bumps, especially with players needing to accept new terms of service and the fact that active subscriptions will be cancelled during the handover. That could lead to frustration among the player base, particularly if the changes are not communicated clearly.

What does this mean for players?

For players, this transition means their progress, including characters and in-game purchases, will be preserved. That is crucial for player loyalty, since many have invested a lot of time and money into their accounts. However, the cancellation of active subscriptions may come as a shock to those who rely on these services. It is also still unclear which specific items may be lost during the transition, which adds to the concern.

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