Lost Arkwas the hot new MMORPG of 2022, following its international release in February. The game has not entirely evaded criticism for its bugs, balance issues, overly sexualized characters, gender-locked classes,and pay-to-win endgame progression. Nevertheless, it remains a popular contender to fill the MMO power vacuum thatWorld of Warcraftleft behind.
With the Korean MMO seeing massive success on PC, some might wonder if console ports could be inLost Ark’sfuture. In fact, the subject came up during an interview with Amazon Game’s Franchise Leader Soomin Park. While his answer was far from concrete, is appears that console versions are a possibility.
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British game journalist Sherif Saed recently interviewed Park on a variety of subjects such as publishing rights, thecomparisons betweenLost ArkandDiablo 3, and whyLost Arktook so long to arrive in the west. It is in the context of theDiablo 3comparisons that the question of console ports came up, with Saed noting that game’s success on multiple platforms. Unfortunately, Park wasn’t able to give a firm yes or no answer as to whetherLost Arkmight arrive on consoles any time soon. “IfLost Arkon consoles is something that fans really want,” he told Saed, “then I think it’s something both parties would consider!”
By “both parties,” Park is presumably referring to Amazon and Smilegate, who share publishing rights to the game. He clarified the company’s relationship when explaining whyLost Arkisn’t available in the Middle East or parts of Europe. Unlike previousAmazon Games titles likeNew World, the company does not ownLost Ark. Rather, it is partnered with Korean publisher Smilegate RPG, who own the intellectual property rights. Park explained that the agreement does not give Amazon the right to publishLost Arkglobally, only in certain areas of Europe, Oceania, and the Americas. Unfortunately, this makes it unclear if or whenLost Arkmight arrive in new countries.
Another related question was why it took so long forLost Arkto arrive in the west. After all, the game’s Korean release was in 2019, bit it only went international this year. Park didn’t really have a good answer for why Amazon didn’t approach Smilegate sooner but noted that Amazon made its move after seeingLost Ark’spopularity in the East.
He notes how entertainment is becoming increasingly global, with Korean music, movies, and TV shows starting to experience success in the West. According to Park, it’s only natural thatKorean video games would follow suit. Amazon, it seems, was simply the first American company to take advantage of the country’s gaming potential.
Lost Arkis available now on PC.
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