Amazon Games has now given an interview about the current state of their Steam hit, the MMORPG Lost Ark, discussing possible plans to release on PS5 or Xbox Series X, and the ongoing comparisons to Diablo 3.
Who is speaking? The franchise head of Lost Ark at Amazon Games, Soomin Park, has given an interview to the website VG24/7.
Soomin Park is from South Korea, has worked for the MMO giant Nexon since 2001, moved to Nexon North America in 2006, spent some time at En Masse Entertainment (TERA US) and Krafton (PUBG); he has been at Amazon Games since 2020 (via linkedin).
Amazon is considering the release of Lost Ark for PS5, Xbox Series X
What does he say about the release for PS5 and Xbox? Park says:
“If Lost Ark on consoles is really something that people want, then I think it’s something both parties should consider.”
Soomin Park
By both parties, he means Amazon and the developer Smilegate.
It is noteworthy that Soomin Park does not specifically mention PS5/Xbox Series X, but only refers to “consoles.” However, when Korean developers speak of “consoles,” they traditionally mean the current generation of PlayStation and Xbox.
If Lost Ark comes to consoles, it might not be until around 2025
This is known aside from the interview: Smilegate is based in South Korea – this is a purely PC&Mobile market. The only “big game” from South Korea that has received console support is Black Desert, but only after it was successful in the West.
A PS5, Xbox Series X version of Lost Ark is now only a really relevant option since it’s clear that Lost Ark is a big hit in the West. Before this was known, it would not have made sense to develop in this direction. Prior to this interview, they remained vague when asked about a console port.
Park’s statements now suggest that a Lost Ark for consoles is indeed possible. However, console versions of Black Desert were released 4 years after the launch in South Korea and three and a half years after the launch in the West. If Smilegate follows the pattern of Pearl Abyss, it means we could expect a release for PS5/Xbox Series X no earlier than 2025/2026.
In 2019, there was already a concrete suspicion that Lost Ark is planning a “mobile version” and an upgrade to the Unreal Engine 4. However, no further information is available on this yet.
We at MeinMMO have looked into why Lost Ark is so well received in the West:
Lost Ark attracts fans of action RPGs and MMOs
What does Park say about Diablo 3? Park does not want to speak specifically about the ongoing comparisons to Diablo 3. However, his statement suggests that they are aware they are stepping into a gap created by the lack of new content for Blizzard’s Diablo 3 for so long.
They apparently see a great hunger for fans of action RPGs:
One of the things that makes Lost Ark unique is the massive amount of content that allows you to play the way you want. If you want to have a solo RPG experience and play the story alone, you can do that. A consistent aspect of the game is that the combat is designed to feel satisfying, whether you play alone or in a group.
Lost Ark certainly satisfies the desire of fans for an action RPG, but it also incorporates MMO aspects so well that it appeals to fans of the genre as well.
Soomin Park
Park sees this dual role of Lost Ark as a key to the game’s success in the West: Lost Ark gives ARPG fans what they yearn for but also connects it with the richness of a “full MMO”.
Park also sees the advancing globalization and the triumph of Korean pop culture as reasons for the success of Lost Ark. A game like Lost Ark is no longer restricted to one region; today you can experience various cultures from around the world.
In the coming months, we can expect even more Lost Ark content:
Lost Ark brings new content too quickly, saying: “Did not think players would get angry”
