New World
News, coverage and analysis tracking New World across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Amazon Will Soon Be Out Of The MMO Business Entirely
Amazon Game Studios is exiting the massively multiplayer online (MMO) business entirely, handing over Western operations of "Throne and Liberty" and "Lost Ark" back to their original developers, NC and Smilegate, respectively. This move follows the earlier shutdown announcement for their own MMO, "New World," and the cancellation of a "Lord of the Rings" MMO. Amazon had previously published and operated these live-service titles in the West.
Amazon drops Lost Ark and Throne and Liberty
Amazon is ending its publishing deals for the MMOs Lost Ark and Throne and Liberty in Western markets. NCSoft will take over publishing for Throne and Liberty near the end of 2026, while Smilegate will do the same for Lost Ark in early 2027. This move signifies the end of Amazon's significant ambitions in the MMO publishing space, following earlier shifts away from big-budget game development.
Amazon are getting out of the MMO game, handing control of Lost Ark and Throne and Liberty to developers, but it won't all be smooth for players
Amazon Game Studios is exiting the global publishing of MMOs, handing over control of Lost Ark to Smilegate and Throne and Liberty to FireSpark Games. While Amazon will cease live service operations for Lost Ark in early 2027, some player data like chat history and friend memos will be lost. This transition aims to align global updates with Korean releases for Lost Ark and is expected to be less disruptive for Throne and Liberty. The move comes as Amazon shifts its focus away from external publishing and internal MMO development.
Amazon hands off Throne and Liberty to NC, seemingly ending its MMO era
Amazon Game Studios is handing over the reins of its MMORPG Throne and Liberty to developer FirstSpark Games and publisher NC, marking a potential end to Amazon's involvement in the MMO genre. The transition is expected to be seamless for players, with all progress and items remaining intact. This move follows the struggles of other Amazon-published MMOs like New World and Blue Protocol.
WRUP: Billy Joel was definitely convicted of arson in 1995 and other absolutely true facts edition
The Massively OP community and staff share their weekend gaming plans, with titles like Lord of the Rings Online, Palworld, and Final Fantasy XIV being mentioned. The discussion also touches on uncomfortable office settings and personal work experiences.
The Daily Grind: How many MMORPGs have you played to date?
This article discusses the common feature in MMORPGs where players know who crafted their in-game gear, noting its prevalence across many titles. It highlights the surprise of a player who, despite playing for 13 years and several MMORPGs, had never encountered this feature. The author also touches on the broader topic of player engagement with game developers and artisans.
RUST boss Alistair McFarlane has left Facepunch and will not be saving New World after all
Alistair McFarlane, director of RUST developer Facepunch Studios, has departed the company as of July 30th. McFarlane had previously teased potential involvement with Amazon's New World, but these rumors have now seemingly concluded with his exit from Facepunch.
Facepunch director Alistair McFarlane, who once offered to buy New World from Amazon and faked us out about Rust 2, has…
Alistair McFarlane, director and chief operating officer of Facepunch Studios, has departed the company after an 11-year tenure. McFarlane, who was often the public face of the studio and executive producer on Rust, stated July 30th was his last day. He expressed pride in the team's achievements and the game's enduring success, attributing it to the community and consistent monthly updates. McFarlane previously made headlines for offering to buy Amazon's New World and for fueling Rust 2 rumors.
Perfect Ten: MMORPGs whose fans I feel sorry for
This opinion piece discusses ten MMORPGs whose fans are felt to be underserved or unfairly treated due to various issues like poor publishing deals, legal troubles, corporate decisions, or a perceived lack of developer care. Games like Fractured Online, Ashes of Creation, The Elder Scrolls Online, and New World are highlighted for their fanbases facing significant challenges.
Amazon Gaming boss says high hardware prices could be good news for its Luna cloud gaming program
Amazon Gaming boss Jeffrey Gattis believes that high hardware prices could benefit Amazon's cloud gaming service, Luna. He suggests that as consoles and PCs become more expensive, more consumers may consider cloud gaming solutions. Gattis also noted that Amazon has a clearer gaming strategy now, focusing on reaching players who might be priced out of traditional hardware.
Question time: How long have you been playing MMOs?
This opinion piece discusses the perceived age of MMO players and the evolution of MMO design towards seasonal structures and midcore content. It highlights the longevity of games like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy 14, contrasting them with the shorter lifespans of newer titles like New World. The author, who has played MMOs since middle school, invites readers to share their own experiences and how long they've been engaged with the genre.
Even Hideo Kojima is afraid that 'digital data will no longer be owned by individuals' and that access to art…
Hideo Kojima has expressed concerns about the future of digital ownership, fearing that players will eventually lose control over their digital data and access to art. This sentiment is amplified by Sony's reported move towards a fully digital PlayStation ecosystem by 2028, raising anxieties about game preservation and the potential loss of access to purchased content due to external factors like server shutdowns or company closures.
MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars goes mobile, Bungie gets layoffs
This 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.
New World’s last devs ask players to post their patch wishes for the MMO before its 2027 sunset
Amazon's New World game director Katy Kaszynski has opened a player wishlist forum for the MMO, which is slated to shut down in January 2027. While the development team will review player requests for changes and improvements, there is no guarantee that any suggestions will be implemented before the game's sunset.
MMO Week in Review: ArcheAge’s revival, Guild Wars’ CCG
This 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.
New World’s June update reduces the number of people required for raids and arenas
Amazon's MMORPG New World is receiving a June update that reduces the number of players required for raids and arenas. The update also adds new Steam achievements, triples territory XP and umbral drop rates, and disables the OPR/CTF PvP mode rotation on specific servers. The game is slated to sunset in January 2027.
Massively Overthinking: Is the era of the themepark MMORPG over?
Industry veterans discuss the sustainability of themepark MMORPGs, with Raph Koster suggesting rising development costs are making the model unsustainable. While some argue that modern themeparks incorporate sandbox elements to survive, others believe the dichotomy is false and that innovation from both styles is key. The discussion highlights the challenges of content creation speed versus player consumption and the evolving player base's preferences.
Everyone, including Amazon, is being extremely weird about the Lord of the Rings MMO
Amazon continues to be ambiguous about the status of its Lord of the Rings MMO, leading to widespread confusion and reports of its cancellation. Despite multiple outlets and internal assumptions suggesting the project is dead, Amazon executives have repeatedly avoided confirming a cancellation, instead stating that the company is evaluating concepts and prototypes for new game experiences within the IP.
A new MMO announcement is more exciting than all the other SGF news combined
The announcement of Guild Wars 3 has generated significant excitement, overshadowing other gaming news. The author expresses a deep love for MMORPGs, particularly the Guild Wars series, and anticipates Guild Wars 3 will offer a fresh experience with its new setting and mechanics. The article also touches on the decline of new MMORPG releases and the unique shared discovery that defines the genre.
Massively Overthinking: What’s the next best thing to your favorite MMORPG?
The Massively OP staff discusses where players might migrate if their favorite MMORPGs were to shut down. Contributors share personal experiences of losing beloved games like City of Heroes and Star Wars Galaxies, and explore whether direct replacements are sought or if players move to different genres entirely. The consensus leans towards players finding games with familiar elements rather than exact replicas, or embracing a more transient gaming experience.