Hey everyone,
I’m Ham Yongjin, Executive Producer at XLGAMES, and I’ve got some news to share with you about ArcheAge Chronicles.
This project has been quietly growing behind the scenes for a while now, and today I want to share what we’re doing, why we’re doing it, and how it ties into everything we’ve loved (and maybe struggled with) about ArcheAge as a game series over the years.
Why This Game, and Why Now?
We didn’t want to just do a sequel. We didn’t want to reboot what came before. Instead, we saw a chance to tell a new story, one set 50 years after the events of the original. Auroria, once wild and dangerous, is starting to come alive again. People are returning. Settlements are rising from ruins. And you? You’re part of that first wave of brave souls heading back in.
So yeah… this isn’t ArcheAge 2. It’s not a traditional MMORPG. What we’re making is a discovery-driven online action RPG. Think tighter combat, more focused pacing, and a world that’s still shared and social but not built for massive zerg fights or dozens of overlapping systems.
What Makes It Different?
Let’s talk about that combat first, because it’s been a huge focus for us. We built it from scratch with combo-driven mechanics, dodges, and some really satisfying weapon-specific skills. It’s punchy. It’s responsive. And above all, it rewards smart play over simply spamming skill rotations.
But Chronicles isn’t just about fighting. We’re putting a lot of love into exploration and storytelling. There aren’t glowing arrows dragging you to objectives here. You’ll find forgotten temples, strange characters, ruins with secrets whispered by old gods. Some things you’ll find by accident. That’s the point. We want you to explore and find secrets along the way.
And yes, the world is shared with others, but it’s more intimate. Smaller group sizes. Meaningful cooperation. Moments that feel personal, not chaotic or dominated by zergs.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
We’ve learned a lot from ArcheAge: its highs and its pain points. Our goal isn’t to copy what worked. It’s to take that spirit (the freedom, the discovery, the ambition) and apply it in new, exciting ways. It’s not about outdoing the past. It’s about evolving.
So expect lifeskills, housing, and crafting to return, just... better. Shared housing areas. Decor you can actually interact with. NPCs who feel like housemates, not decorations. Crafting that’s tied into your character’s growth and the player economy in real ways.
What Comes Next?
We’ve already had a few small focus groups play early builds (under NDA for now), and the feedback has been incredibly helpful and encouraging. We’ll be expanding those tests soon, so stay tuned if you want in as we’ll be putting out feelers for more players.
We’ll have a lot more to share in the coming weeks and months. For now, I just want to say thank you for your patience, for your memories of ArcheAge, and for your curiosity about what comes next.
Follow us on Archeage Chronicles X, wishlist us on Steam, and subscribe to the YouTube channel. We’ve got a lot more to show you. And truly, I can’t wait to see you in Auroria.
See you soon,
Ham
Executive Producer, ArcheAge Chronicles
XLGAMES