NCsoft
NCsoft business and news from across the web.
5 Live Service Games to Quit in 2026 | TAGThis article provides a framework for players to quit live service games they no longer enjoy, arguing that obligation and FOMO should not dictate continued play. It identifies five specific games—Destiny 2, Diablo 4 seasonal, Warframe, Lost Ark, and older MMOs—as candidates for quitting in 2026, and offers a step-by-step guide to breaking free from the cycle of retention-engineered gameplay.- MMO Week in Review: EverQuest risingThis week's MMO news roundup highlights the resurgence of the EverQuest franchise with EverQuest Legends entering paid beta and expansions teased for EverQuest and EverQuest II. Other major stories include the implosion of DreamWorld, potential layoffs at Blizzard and Bethesda, and Sony's shutdown of PS3 and PS Vita storefronts. The article also covers updates and news from various other MMOs like Elder Scrolls Online, Conan Exiles, and Valheim.
Seoul-set MMO shooter Cinder City halves its RAM requirements, after initial specs listed 64GB of memoryThe upcoming MMO shooter Cinder City has significantly reduced its RAM requirements on its Steam page, dropping from a recommended 64GB to 32GB. Publisher NC has not yet provided clarification on the system specifications, which are considered placeholders by the author due to the game's lack of a release window and other spec inconsistencies.- Perfect Ten: The 10 worst problems in the MMORPG community that we could probably fixThis opinion piece identifies ten fixable problems within the MMORPG community, ranging from nostalgic revisionism about past game experiences to issues with player entitlement and antisocial behavior. It argues for greater honesty, acceptance of change, and a focus on constructive community engagement to improve the overall player experience.
Cinder City Developer Preview Showcases New Gameplay, The Cinderknights, and Much moreBigFire and NCSoft have released a new gameplay preview for Cinder City, a dystopian action RPG set in Seoul. Players control Seven, a Cinderknight searching for his daughter amidst mutant monsters and the criminal organization Hyde. The game, built with Unreal Engine 5, is slated for a PC launch in the second half of 2026 and will feature NVIDIA-supported features.- MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars goes mobile, Bungie gets layoffsThis week's MMO news includes Guild Wars launching on mobile, Star Trek Online's new update, and Throne & Liberty's summer expansion. However, the industry also saw significant layoffs at Sony and Bungie, impacting hundreds of developers working on Destiny 2 and Marathon. Other news includes Valve's Steam Machine pricing, the ongoing Ashes of Creation lawsuit, and updates on Grand Theft Auto VI's online multiplayer.
- NCsoft’s upcoming post-apoc shooter Cinder City, still on track for 2026, launches Steam page and new videoNCsoft's upcoming post-apocalyptic shooter, Cinder City, is still on track for a 2026 release and has launched its Steam page with a new video. The game, previously known as Project LLL, will feature a narrative-driven story set in a dystopian Seoul with open-world multiplayer PvE elements. While previously described as an MMO tactical shooter, its Steam page currently lists it as a shooter.
BIGFIRE GAMES RELEASES NEW CINDER CITY DEVELOPER PREVIEW, LAUNCHES STEAM PAGE BigFire Games has released a new developer preview for their upcoming third-person shooter, Cinder City, showcasing core progression and multiplayer PvE gameplay. The game's official Steam page has also launched, allowing players to wishlist the title and learn more about its features, including its dystopian Seoul setting and narrative-driven story.- Throne and Liberty officially launches its summer expansion, Frozen Divide Nix, todayAmazon and NCsoft have launched the summer expansion for Throne and Liberty, titled Frozen Divide: Nix. This update introduces a new continent, raises the level cap to 60, and adds new features like the gauntlet weapon, aerial traversal, and a new PvPvE battleground. The expansion aims to evolve the MMORPG with new PvE and PvP content.
NC TO BRING KOREAN AION 2 CHANGES TO GLOBAL MARKET NC is bringing its Korean MMORPG AION 2's development and publishing plans to a global audience, including PC via Steam and PURPLE this September. Game Director Nam-Joon Kim, Head of Global Publishing In-Sub So, and Executive Publishing Producer Merv Lee Kwai discussed core features like full 3D flight, aerial combat, over 200 dungeons, and the connection to the original AION. The company is actively seeking player feedback to support the game's launch and beyond.- RAVEN2 INVITES PLAYERS TO SUMMER VACATION EVENTS WITH SPECIAL REWARDSNetmarble has launched the first Summer Vacation events for its dark fantasy MMORPG RAVEN2, introducing new swimsuit-themed Holy Garments and event dungeons. Players can earn exclusive summer-themed rewards, including rare and heroic grade items. The update also expands game systems with new regions, blending features, and an integrated preset system for managing gameplay settings.
NC Unveils New Character Trailer for Upcoming Anime RPG Astrae Oratio | Invision Game CommunityNC has released a new character trailer for its upcoming anime RPG, Astrae Oratio, developed by Dynamis One. The trailer showcases the game's magical characters and its unique fantasy setting, which blends magic with bureaucracy in a version of Tokyo. This release is part of NC's strategy to diversify beyond MMORPGs.
New Guild Wars card game “Mistbound” announcedArenaNet and NC Corporation have announced Mistbound, a new collectible card game set in the Guild Wars universe for mobile and PC. The game features a dynamic 5x3 grid with directional movement for units and commanders, offering deep strategic gameplay inspired by Guild Wars 2's professions. Mistbound will be free-to-play with monetization hooks similar to other live service titles.
NC TAPS DEVELOPER DYNAMIS ONE TO PUBLISH ‘MAGIC GIRL RPG’ ASTRAE ORATIONC has partnered with developer Dynamis One to publish the anime-style RPG, Astrae Oratio. The game, set in a fantasy Tokyo, blends magic girl themes with administrative gameplay. NC released a character preview trailer showcasing the game's cast and combat styles.
Astrae Oratio ‘The City, the Stars, and Magic’ trailerPublisher NCSOFT and developer Dynamis One have released a new gameplay trailer for their magic RPG, Astra Oratio, titled 'The City, the Stars, and Magic.' The trailer showcases combat, menus, characters, and the game world. Astra Oratio is set in Tokyo in 1989 and will be available on iOS and Android, though a release date has not yet been announced.- Throne and Liberty previews the Gauntlets weapon coming in this week’s Frozen Divide Nix expansionThrone and Liberty's upcoming Frozen Divide Nix expansion, launching Thursday, introduces the Gauntlets weapon, a hybrid Tank/DPS class for close-range combat. The expansion also features a new Nix region, gliding mechanics, co-op dungeons, a level cap increase to 60, and an itemization revamp.
- MMO Week in Review: ArcheAge’s revival, Guild Wars’ CCGThis week's MMO news roundup covers a variety of topics including Guild Wars receiving a CCG in China, ArcheAge's revival, and Richard Garriott's efforts to regain Ultima copyright. It also features updates on Tomo Endless Blue's Kickstarter success, Embers of the Uncrowned, and Diablo Immortal's new Warlock patch.
- Guild Wars CCG Mistbound RevealedNCsoft has revealed Mistbound, a competitive collectible card game set in the Guild Wars universe, currently in development by a Korean team. The announcement was made via a post on the Guild Wars 2 Forums.
- Mistbound is a new Guild Wars CCG by ArenaNet, NCsoft, and BilibiliArenaNet, NCsoft, and Bilibili have announced Guild Wars Mistbound, a new digital collectible card game set in the Guild Wars universe. The game features a unique multi-directional card movement mechanic on a tactical grid, aiming to blend the franchise's lore with deckbuilding strategy. While officially licensed by ArenaNet, NCsoft is shouldering development, with Bilibili handling global publishing.
Hot off the Guild Wars 3 reveal, the long-running MMO series is getting its first-ever CCG in MistboundArenaNet has revealed Mistbound: Guild Wars Card Game, the first-ever collectible card game for the long-running Guild Wars franchise. Developed by NC and published by bilibili, this free-to-play title for PC and mobile introduces a unique card movement mechanic and features characters and music from the original Guild Wars games. The announcement follows the recent reveal of Guild Wars 3.