XLGAMES lifted the curtain on the future of the ArcheAge franchise with a personal letter from Executive Producer Ham Yongjin, offering the first in-depth look at ArcheAge Chronicles, an ambitious new online action RPG set 50 years after the events of the original game.
Rather than a sequel or reboot, ArcheAge Chronicles marks a bold reimagining of the franchise. Set in a revitalized Auroria, players will step into the shoes of pioneers returning to a once-forsaken land now stirring with new life, mysteries, and dangers.
“We didn’t want to just do a sequel or remake what came before,” writes Ham. “We saw an opportunity to tell a completely new story in a familiar world—and to build something that both honors the spirit of ArcheAge and moves it forward in exciting ways.”
A New Genre, A New Experience
Unlike its MMORPG predecessor, ArcheAge Chronicles will be a shared-world online action RPG, offering faster, more focused gameplay while preserving the series’ emphasis on exploration, community, and discovery.
Combat has been rebuilt from the ground up, featuring combo-based mechanics, real-time dodging, weapon swapping, and gear-driven skill chains designed to reward smart, strategic play.
Beyond combat, Chronicles places heavy focus on narrative-rich exploration. There are no glowing quest markers or rails. Instead, players will uncover hidden temples, encounter strange characters, and discover long-lost secrets buried in the ruins of Auroria, all guided by curiosity rather than traditional systems.
Legacy Systems, Reimagined
Beloved ArcheAge features like lifeskills, crafting, and housing return with meaningful upgrades. Housing is now shared across channels, allowing players to create persistent, social spaces. NPC housemates, interactive furniture, and expanded community-building tools aim to deliver a more immersive and personal experience. Crafting remains a key pillar, directly tied to character growth and a player-driven economy.
Looking Ahead
While still early in development, ArcheAge Chronicles has already undergone initial focus group testing, with more opportunities to join upcoming playtests on the horizon.
“We’re building Chronicles for both longtime fans and newcomers,” Ham adds. “It’s a fresh start that carries the heart of ArcheAge into a new era.”
