Multiple job postings at Smilegate, the developer of the MMORPG Lost Ark, are looking for people with good English language skills and experience in publishing games abroad.
What is happening with Lost Ark? The developer Smilegate is actively searching for new employees who should have excellent English skills. But it’s not just for their localization team, as was originally the case.
Further job postings from the company included a Product Manager and a Service Planner specifically for abroad. Their qualifications must include the following:
- Business-level English skills
- Experience in game launches abroad
- Good understanding of MMORPGs and their mechanics
- Market research and analysis
- 5 or more years of experience in “Live Service” planning, meaning in maintaining service games
Additionally, they are looking for more people with experience in console ports and Unreal Engine 3 and 4 for Lost Ark. Work on the announced console version of the MMORPG is also progressing.
What does this mean for us? The new job postings from the developer are interesting for us because they indicate that Smilegate may want to publish Lost Ark themselves and is now looking for the right people for that. They already have a subsidiary, Smilegate West, responsible for the distribution of the shooter CrossFire in the USA.
Expanding the company to an international level would fit into Smilegate’s major future plans, which they discussed at the last G-Star event in Korea. The developer stated that Smilegate is preparing a major offensive for the global market in 2020.
The goal is to become a major international developer and gain recognition worldwide.
Which publishers have Lost Ark abroad? Currently, Lost Ark is being played in Russia as well as Korea. In Russia, it is operated by the publishing giant Mail.ru. Their subsidiary My.com is known for games like Conqueror’s Blade and Revelation Online.
At the beginning of 2020, Lost Ark is also expected to be released in Japan. There, Neowiz is responsible for the publishing of the game. Players here will mainly remember Neowiz because of the failed MMORPG Bless Online.
Both publishers already have experience with the western market. Whether Smilegate itself or another company will take over publishing here is still uncertain.
Can I still play Lost Ark? Yes, it is possible, although you have to take some detours. It is relatively easy to create an account for the Russian version of the MMORPG.
You do not necessarily have to understand Russian, as there is an English patch. Even though it was made by fans, it serves its purpose and translates the essential areas of Lost Ark. Here you can read how it works.
Is Lost Ark good? We had the opportunity to play the Russian version of Lost Ark. It is a very solid and well-polished A-MMORPG. It offers, for example:
- A large beautiful world full of things to discover
- A loot spiral that entices with increasingly better gear and weapons
- A detailed character creator
- Fun dungeons and raids
A detailed report about the first steps in Lost Ark can be read here:
