After the release of an incorrect roadmap and an update that caused a lot of trouble, Lost Ark now addresses the biggest issues once again. In a blog post, the developers discuss what needs to be fixed, what it looks like, and what the new roadmap is supposed to bring.
What’s in the roadmap? In a new blog post, the developers promise to introduce new classes, raids, and continents for Lost Ark in the roadmap for April and May.
This information is important for fans because there was already a roadmap, which, however, contained incorrect information. Back then, a wrong version was released, and since then players have been waiting for new info.
When will the roadmap come? There is still no date for the release, but they are working on the “finalization”. However, since there was much criticism regarding the last roadmap, because too much content was coming too quickly, they want to prioritize “quality and accuracy over speed” this time.
The blog post also addresses the biggest problems the developers have identified in the game. It follows the disappointing update from March 31, in order to address some of the criticisms.
“Trusted” Accounts Against Bots
What is the problem with bots? Lost Ark has been suffering from a flood of bots shortly after the release in the West. The bots farm important materials for upgrades and devalue them. Honest players complain that it is hardly possible to get gold this way. They also warn that new players would quit immediately.
Lost Ark has already banned over a million accounts and calls this “just the first step” in the fight against the bots. There is even a new system against bots, which relies on its own system from Steam, the “trusted” accounts.
This divides players into two categories, more or less. Those who engage in the Steam community or have spent money on Lost Ark receive the “trusted” status. Accounts without this status have certain restrictions, including:
- Prohibition from sending trade requests to other players – but receiving them is still possible
- Gifts and messages with item attachments can no longer be sent
- Crystals cannot be exchanged for gold.
However, the system is not yet fully developed.
This is what Lost Ark is doing now: The developers have noticed that the number of bots has decreased after the changes. However, they want to continue to observe how things develop and refine the measures.
They also want to take the community’s feedback into account and incorporate it. A major problem is that Free2Play players are also partially affected by the anti-bot rules.
More Materials, New Skins, and Competitive Season 1
What else is in the blog post: Another one of the issues discussed are the materials for item upgrades through the so-called “Honing”. These are needed to raise items to a higher level.
The system has been criticized for a while because, among other things, a lot of grind is required and upgrades can fail. However, activities like PvP, Grand Prix, and the event Guardian Raid are now supposed to provide players with more materials.
Skins are also a big topic in the community, which is being addressed once again. These are supposed to be provided faster because they are less available compared to other regions of the world. However, they also want to gather feedback here and still need to put work into the new classes.
In the first competitive season of the Proving Grounds, there is a change to the MMR. New players start at the silver rank, and veterans who have already played before receive a fade of 250 MMR to slightly raise their ranking. The developers are also relying on more feedback here.
How do you like the changes? What are you looking forward to the most?
