Developed by Korean studio Smilegate and co-published by Amazon, the MMO Lost Ark has come a long way since its global launch. With the Arkesia Ignited update, however, the MMO has reached new heights in story and gameplay, with its first chapter approaching its climax.
Speaking with Game Rant, Amazon’s community lead for Lost Ark Roxanne Sabo discussed the way the game’s early conflict comes to a head in the update Arkesia Ignited and how the story of Arkesia is only just beginning.
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Lost Ark Erupts in North Kurzan
While the story of Lost Ark’s first chapter is moving toward its conclusion, Arkesia Ignited isn’t where the story ends, Sabo stressed. The heroes of Lost Ark have been fighting to stop the resurrection of Kazeros, the demon who brought order to Petrania by defeating the God of Chaos Igharam. Years ago, Azena and Shandi stopped that resurrection… but today’s heroes may not. At least, that’s what Armen thinks. He advocates that adventurers let Kazeros resurrect–that’s the only way the demon can be stopped for good. Of course, that’s a massive risk. This, says Sabo, is where the war really begins:
The Legion Commanders that once were defeated gathered up and are threatening the peace of Arkesia. Adventurers and the Allied Forces still need to find a way to stop Kazeros and save Arkesia from being doomed! Right now, things in Arkesia are very high-stakes, and we’re excited for players to experience this epic moment … The story of North Kurzan is where the all-out war against Kazeros starts. The quickly turning tides of war require adventurers to make important, impactful choices.
The backdrop of this war erupts from the Antares volcano in North Kurzan, where Kazeros is sealed. Sabo describes North Kurzan as similar to the southern reaches of Kurzan. The barren region has been home to the fighting between the Assar Delains and the Vinus Delains and is permeated by Kazeros’ evil. She explained that, with the seal about to break after 500 years, the team at Smilegate tried to give a sense of fear and despair throughout North Kurzan that is felt by all living creatures in the land.
That’s where the next piece in the long-developed story of Lost Ark will take place, setting up the intense road to the conclusion of chapter one.
Of course, this leaves plenty more stories to tell in the battle against Kazeros, though it also puts sights on how the chapter will end. Sabo was tight-lipped about where the next chapter might take players, but where the story goes after Kazeros will doubtless be an interesting question. As Sabo said,
The future direction of Lost Ark’s story is a secret that is kept closely guarded. We can’t share anything now, but fans will be able to follow updates through Lost Ark and Amazon Games social channels and website … While we aren’t ready to share any specifics on the coming roadmap, we can tell you to look towards the end of the year for the next update–we won’t make players wait until 2025 to uncover what’s coming next!
Certainly, more exciting reveals will be in store before this year’s end, as well as for Lost Ark‘s next anniversary early in 2025. In the meantime, players can enjoy the Arkesia Ignited update and look forward to a new roadmap before the year is out.
- Released
- December 4, 2019
- Developer(s)
- Smilegate RPG
- Publisher(s)
- Amazon Games
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong