Source: Netmarble

Netmarble announced on the 7th that during a developer live stream held on the 6th, it introduced the 'NEW WORLD' update for its MMORPG Arthdal Chronicles, scheduled for release on the 14th, signaling a major shift toward a game where growth is driven by gameplay.

The developer live stream, held on the official YouTube channel at 8:00 PM on the 6th, featured members of the development team explaining the game's restructuring process, which began late last year, and the direction of future updates.

Since December of last year, Netmarble has been comprehensively improving combat balance, growth structures, and monetization burdens to ensure players can feel the joy of growth through gameplay itself.

In December, the company introduced a PVP adjustment system to address environments where a small number of high-combat-power users dominated battles. This created a more competitive environment where players with relatively lower combat power could compete through cooperation, thereby increasing user satisfaction. Following this, in January and February, the faction system was removed, complex and cumbersome life content was consolidated, and convenience features—such as offline hunting and hunting record tracking—along with optimization work were implemented.

Starting in March, the growth and farming structures were significantly overhauled. Spirits and mounts, previously obtainable only through paid summons, were made available via field farming, and a structure was established where players could use profits from trading these items on the market to further their growth. In May, the system was further improved so that 'Dream Stones' and weapon appearances, previously available only through paid gacha, could be obtained by clearing Trial Dungeons and Party Dungeons.

Netmarble F&C stated that all core growth elements are now obtainable through in-game play, establishing a virtuous cycle where players can generate value through gameplay and reinvest it into their own growth.

The New World update on the 14th will introduce new Awakening and Fusion care systems to reduce stress from failed attempts. The Awakening process will be changed to a 100% success rate without failure, and materials used in previous failed attempts will be retroactively compensated. The Fusion system will add items that increase success rates at intermediate milestones, with improvements allowing for a 100% success rate if these items are used cumulatively.

Netmarble also shared the performance results of the 'Krabon' server, which launched in May as a preview of the changes coming to Arthdal Chronicles. The company explained that the new growth structure yielded positive results: user retention on the Krabon server increased by 79% compared to existing servers, players farmed an average of 1876 summon cards per person, and market tax volume rose by 187%.

The new 'New World' server, opening on the 14th, will operate similarly to the Krabon server, focusing on passes and subscription products rather than package items. Four types of paid summon products have been removed, and the game is designed so that all growth elements can be acquired through gameplay. Previously paid 'Archaic' accessories can also be obtained by playing through Trial Dungeons. Additionally, the new server will feature a 'Legend' guarantee event, allowing players to obtain between one and four Legend mounts solely through gameplay, along with various growth support events.

Pre-registration for the New World update is currently open on the official website. Participants will receive an 'All-Farming Set' consisting of two 11-pull Shining Awakening Spirit cards, two 11-pull Shining Awakening mount cards, two 11-pull Shining weapon appearance cards, two 11-pull Shining Dream Stone cards, and one chest containing a choice of four Archaic accessories.

Meanwhile, Netmarble plans to hold another developer live stream on the 13rd, one day before the update, to introduce detailed information about New World and conduct a Q&A session with players.