On October 22, XLGAMES released a developer video introducing the Early Access content and direction for its new MMORPG, ArcheAge Chronicles. ArcheAge Chronicles is the successor to ArcheAge, featuring expansive open-world action and the high degree of freedom signature to the original game. Ahead of its Early Access launch this year, the game participated in Steam Next Fest starting on October 20, showcasing a playable demo.
In this video, Executive Producer Yongjin Ham appeared to reaffirm the three promises outlined in the previous developer video: 1) a game focused on exploration and cooperation rather than competition, 2) tactile action combat that varies depending on the weapon, and 3) never selling items that allow players to buy power. He also explained that at Early Access launch, a total of three regions will be introduced: Diamond Shores, Gylden Ruins, and Astron Plains. Each of the three regions features a main story and side quests, providing over 30 hours of playtime from the main story and quests alone, excluding exploration elements.
He also explained combat across the four classes—Battlerage, Archery, Sorcery, and Defense—which changes depending on weapon combinations. On top of console-style action gameplay where players observe enemy movements to dodge, parry, and strike, weapon switching has been added to offer a broader range of skill combat. Furthermore, combat styles vary depending on the primary weapon used and how traits and weapon combinations are set up.
In addition, inheriting the features of ArcheAge, the game will allow players to enjoy the world of ArcheAge Chronicles in various ways—from exploring every corner of the world, dungeon clears, and raids to PvP, housing, crafting, trading, companies, and guilds.
Along with this, the team promised a Buy-to-Play (B2P) model where players can play indefinitely with a single purchase, priced at 36,000 won in Korea for Early Access. Executive Producer Yongjin Ham explained, "We set the price so that players can enjoy the game without additional subscription fees after a single purchase, and so that the one-time purchase is not a financial burden." Following Early Access, XLGAMES will gradually introduce gender selection for each class and add a third weapon type per class, while improving quality of life, balance, and character progression based on player feedback. Executive Producer Yongjin Ham stated that during the Early Access period, they will listen closely to player feedback to make improvements, expand life skill and community content, and strive to smoothly introduce new adventures.
ArcheAge Chronicles is currently running its demo on Steam through October 26, and news regarding Early Access will be shared in the future via Discord and its Steam page.
