Amazon Games (AGS) posted the roadmap for the remainder of 2023 for Lost Ark. Most of this has been what has (or will soon be) deployed in South Korea. The first near term content update is the Aeromancer class and adjustments to chaos dungeons and guardian raids (to reduce the dailies “homework” routine fatigue), along with the previously announced raid content.
September will also introduce the Lost Ark version of “fresh start” which they are calling Jump-Start servers (one will be available for each region). The basic premise seems to be around the new and returning player experience (where everyone playing on these servers, start off from on equal footing). Unlike other fresh start experiences where you literally have to level and progress all over again, the “jump-start” is appropriate since players will automatically receive a South Vern pass that gets them to item level 1415 from the get go.
This will also work in conjunction with other express events that will provide fast progression with the whole item level chase that is core to the game. Again, part of this is to try to appeal to new and returning players. However, the focus is still on the item level treadmill (this server along with the express event, will just allow players to hit item level 1580 without as much pain points/gold costs). It is basically the same microcosm that is being replicated (just with faster vertical and horizontal progression).
Eventually at some point in the near future (heading into item level 1600+), the players on these jump start servers will run into the same item level grind (because the jump start servers do not address the core design of the game that focuses on end game raiding as the primary content; it does nothing to bring up the other parts of the game like life skilling, NPC rapport, etc). Basically, I believe their focus group (and however they are getting their feedback) is from a narrow demographic. And by consistently listening to this group, they will have trouble with player retention. What is unclear yet is whether or not these are temporary servers (where the characters there will eventually need to transfer/be rolled over to the existing servers).
Two new continents are also on tap; Pleccia (item level 1475) in October and Voldis (item level 1520) in December (again, highlighting how high item level also gates access to new questing/story content). This formula will always mean the need to utilize express events and power passes as catchup mechanisms (where the original 1-50 main story quest is left to stagnate). So no, just like with their previous attempts of trying to figure out ways to attract (and then retain) new/returning players, this isn’t going to do it either (IMHO).
