Will Lost Ark Be Free? How To Play Amazon And Smilegate's MMORPG

gamespot.com:

After releasing in Korea at the end of 2019, MMORPG Lost Ark will be available in western markets from February 11, with Amazon on board as a publisher. The game is free-to-play, relying on microtransactions for revenue. Here's everything you need to know about getting into Lost Ark.

Players will be able to download Lost Ark for free from Steam or the game's website from February 11, though the game is already available for those who have unlocked early access by purchasing one of the game's Founder's Packs. You can find more details on getting into Lost Ark early here.

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Now Playing: Lost Ark: Launch Gameplay Trailer

For players who don't pick up a Founder's Pack, the game will be fully free-to-play from February 11. While Korean MMOs are particularly notorious for predatory microtransactions, the western release of Lost Ark has modified the way its microtransations work in order to cater for those cultural differences.

Those changes include making sure that microtransactions are optional--in other words, giving players ways to earn the same content through regular gameplay if they choose, even if the process is fairly grindy. Players will also be able to trade any purchased items through the in-game economy.

The biggest microtransaction Lost Ark players should be aware of is the Crystalline Aura, a kind of monthly subscription that confers a number of useful buffs onto players including free fast travel, extra Bifrost slots, and reduced cooldowns and crafting time for the Stronghold. All

Lost Ark will also