MeinMMO had the opportunity to interview the developers of ArcheAge Chronicles with questions. What we learned about one of the most important new MMORPGs of 2026 can be read in this interview special.
Since the developer update from October 2024, it had been unusually quiet about ArcheAge Chronicles. Only from the regular financial reports from publisher Kakao Games could new details be gleaned – such as the planned release in the first half of 2026 or focus tests in summer 2025.
The silence was supposed to last until July 31, 2025, but the newly released Producer’s Letter revealed not too much new information again. It is even nicer now that the developers from XL Games have taken the time to answer some of our questions regarding the successor to the popular sandbox MMORPG ArcheAge.
We wanted to know, among other things, how much ArcheAge and MMORPG elements are in Chronicles, how character progression will look, and what payment model we can expect in the West. You can jump to the interesting questions or answers via the table of contents.
Online Action RPG or true MMORPG?
MeinMMO reported in September 2024 that the developers of ArcheAge Chronicles often use the genre term “Online Action RPG” and avoid the term MMORPG. We wanted to know from XL Games how much MMORPG is actually in ArcheAge Chronicles. The detailed response from the responsible parties:
The short version is: Chronicles is not a traditional MMORPG, but it is an always-online game with meaningful multiplayer systems. We refer to it as an online action RPG because that better captures the design direction—we’re prioritizing personal progression, immersive world-building, and a story-driven adventure that can be played solo, while still offering ways to connect, collaborate, and trade with others.
So yes—players will absolutely run into each other in the open world and in towns. We’re still tuning final numbers, but depending on the zone and activity, you can expect to encounter dozens of other players at a time. That includes social hubs, key regions, and public spaces like housing zones or market areas.
There will be guilds, and they’ll serve both a social and functional role in the game. We’re not ready to confirm exact size limits just yet, but we can say they’re being designed to support a variety of playstyles—from small groups of close friends to larger, community-driven organizations. However, unlike AA1, large-scale PvP and political control aren’t the focus, so guilds will be more about camaraderie, shared goals, and access to certain features—not territory wars or power structures.
As for group content like dungeons—yes, we have them. But again, the scale is more intimate. These are built for small groups, typically 2–5 players, with some potential exceptions depending on the activity. We want these experiences to feel personal, tight-knit, and skill-driven—not like massive raid coordination events. That allows us to keep content accessible while still offering challenge and depth for those who want it.
So to summarize: ArcheAge Chronicles carries the soul of an MMO—persistent world, multiplayer systems, player interaction—but it’s delivered through a story-first, player-friendly structure that’s designed for flexibility and freedom, not obligation. It’s a world you can share with others, but one you’ll experience primarily through your own lens.
XL Games via Mail to MeinMMO
In the coming months, more details about all these systems are promised, according to the developers.
How much ArcheAge is in ArcheAge Chronicles?
The developers had already said that they want to build on the legacy of ArcheAge and send players to regions already known from the predecessor. We wanted to know more specifically which familiar elements fans of the first game can look forward to. Here again, the developers provided a rather detailed answer:
ArcheAge Chronicles is very much a new beginning, but it’s one that’s rooted deeply in the legacy of ArcheAge. We’re building a fresh experience—new systems, new structure, new storytelling—but we’re doing it in a world that long-time fans will recognize, with characters, locations, and lore that connect directly to the original.
Players can absolutely expect to revisit iconic regions from the original game—but not necessarily exactly as they remember them. Time has passed. The world has changed. Some places have evolved. Others have fallen into ruin. And some may hold surprises that challenge what you thought you knew about the world of ArcheAge.
You’ll also encounter familiar factions, lore threads, and even certain characters whose stories are continuing in new and unexpected ways. But importantly, Chronicles doesn’t assume you’ve played AA1. It’s built to be welcoming to new players, while rewarding those who already have a deep history with the franchise.
In terms of gameplay systems—yes, core pillars like trading, crafting, housing, and trade runs are returning, but they’ve been reimagined to better support Chronicles’ focus on solo progression, smoother onboarding, and player freedom. It’s not about recreating AA1—it’s about honoring what made it special and evolving it into something that fits today’s players and today’s tech.
In short: there’s a lot of ArcheAge in Chronicles, but this isn’t just a nostalgic remix. It’s a spiritual successor that stands on its own—built with love for the past, and a clear vision for the future.
XL Games via Mail to MeinMMO
What can the housing in ArcheAge Chronicles do?
In the first ArcheAge, housing was very important, and in the first developer blogs, it was mentioned that this will also be the case in ArcheAge Chronicles, but in a slightly different form. For example, NPC neighbors are supposed to play a role.
We therefore wanted to know to what extent this resembles familiar “Cozy Games” and how deep the life simulation should go? What possibilities do we have, for example, to interact with the NPC neighbors? The developers’ response:
We’ll be sharing more on how these systems work—and how deep the interactions can go—as we get closer to launch. But yes, this is a side of Chronicles that we’re really excited about, and one we think will surprise people in the best way.
We’re not trying to build a full-blown life sim—but we do want your home to feel alive, grounded, and connected to the world. There’s a clear inspiration here from games that emphasize comfort, customization, and community—think Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing, or even Fantasy Life—but all within the structure of a larger action RPG with its own story and progression systems.
XL Games via Mail to MeinMMO
Looting and leveling – what does character progression look like?
Up to this point, there has been no information in the developers’ previous blog posts about this topic. Since looting and leveling are close to our hearts at MeinMMO, we naturally had to ask the developers what they can tell us about character progression in ArcheAge Chronicles. Here are their elaborations:
Rather than locking players into rigid classes, we’re building a flexible system that allows you to develop your abilities, gear, and playstyle in ways that reflect how you actually play. That means experimenting with weapon types, building synergy with skills, and chasing gear that enhances your preferred approach—whether that’s melee, magic, support, or something in between.
Loot is designed to feel exciting, not overwhelming. Our philosophy is to focus on quality and impact—we want every drop to feel like it could be meaningful, whether it’s a stat boost that pushes your build forward, a unique item with special effects, or a cosmetic piece that adds to your personal identity.
You’ll find gear through exploration, dungeons, crafting, and trading, and yes—crafters will play an important role in the overall item economy. But no matter how you obtain your equipment, our goal is to make sure your progression feels rewarding without becoming a grind. We’re not interested in overloading players with dozens of meaningless items. We want the loot you find—or make—to feel like it tells part of your story.
Character development in Chronicles is built around that same idea: steady, satisfying growth, with lots of room for experimentation. And because the game is designed to be approachable in shorter play sessions, you’ll always feel like you’re making progress—even if you just log in for a quick adventure or a crafting run.
We’ll be diving deeper into the specifics of gear, stats, and builds soon. But if you love the loop of leveling, looting, and refining your character—we think you’ll feel right at home.
XL Games via Mail to MeinMMO
How do the action battles work – is there the holy trinity of tanks, healers, and damage dealers?
It has been clear for some time that ArcheAge Chronicles will use an action combat system. However, we wanted to know details from the developers, such as roles, classes, and weapons. The developers’ explanations:
Combat in ArcheAge Chronicles is built to feel responsive, fluid, and expressive—we’ve designed it as a full action combat system, not tab-targeted or auto-driven. That means movement, timing, and positioning matter—and so do your choices about weapons, skills, and tactics.
Players will still be able to fill classic RPG roles like tank, healer, or DPS through their loadout—what weapon they equip, what skills they develop, and how they customize their build. It’s a flexible role system, designed to let you experiment and adapt based on your group or solo needs, not something you’re locked into at character creation.
Mechanically, things like dodging, blocking, and parrying play a central role in how combat feels. You’ll need to actively evade attacks, time your blocks correctly, and learn the patterns of enemies—especially in boss fights or dungeon encounters. It’s not just about stats—it’s about skill.
Combos are also a key part of the design. Some skills can be chained together for bonus effects, and others might interact differently depending on timing, enemy state, or synergy with group members. Whether you’re freezing an enemy to set up a shatter combo or taunting a boss to protect a glass-cannon ally, the goal is to create combat that feels both tactical and rewarding.
We want every weapon and ability to feel distinct, and for combat to evolve as you grow—not just through raw power, but through mastery of mechanics. Whether you’re soloing through story content or teaming up for tougher challenges, the system is built to keep you engaged moment to moment.
There’s still more to reveal, especially around weapon types and ability customization—but if you enjoy dynamic, action-driven combat with RPG depth underneath, we think you’ll find something really satisfying here.
XL Games via Mail to MeinMMO
How will ArcheAge Chronicles be monetized?
Finally, the topic of monetization was on the table. We discussed Lost Ark and Throne and Liberty, which, for the western market, had received adjustments, but still relied on a combination of free-to-play and real-money currency auction houses – leading to many issues such as bots and pay-to-win. How does ArcheAge Chronicles solve this? The developers’ response:
At this time, we haven’t finalized a specific payment model for ArcheAge Chronicles, and that’s intentional. We’re actively listening to our community across regions and taking the time to ensure that whatever direction we choose, it aligns with one fundamental principle: fair play for everyone.
We’ve seen firsthand how monetization models can make or break a game’s long-term health—especially when pay-to-win mechanics creep in and damage player trust. That’s not what we’re about. Whether you’re on PC, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series, you can expect a level playing field, where progression is driven by gameplay, skill, and your choices—not your wallet.
We’re fully committed to not introducing any pay-to-win systems. That includes things like buying power, gear advantages, or anything that would give paying players a competitive edge over others. We’re also being extremely cautious about how any in-game economies or marketplaces are integrated, precisely to avoid the pitfalls we’ve seen with other titles—especially the issues surrounding bots and real-money transactions that have frustrated players in both Eastern and Western markets.
As for whether the model will be the same worldwide—ideally, yes. We believe in creating a unified global experience where all players, regardless of region, have access to the same fair, rewarding, and engaging systems. That said, we also understand that different markets have different expectations and behaviors, so we’re weighing that carefully to strike the right balance.
In short: no pay-to-win, no shortcuts to power, and no compromising the integrity of the gameplay. We want ArcheAge Chronicles to earn its place in your library by being fun, fair, and worth your time.
XL Games via Mail to MeinMMO
What else do I need to know about ArcheAge Chronicles? ArcheAge Chronicles is set to focus more on the Western market than its predecessor and will therefore offer comprehensive PvE and story content that can be tackled alone or with small groups.
PvP elements and large-scale battles in the open world, which were tentatively planned, will instead be omitted. PvP is intended to be available mainly in clearly defined, competitive areas for fixed teams and guilds. The creative mind behind the world, who also worked on part 2 for a long time, is no longer on board: the creator of ArcheAge and Lineage wanted to celebrate his biggest success with a new MMORPG, but that will not happen
