ArcheAge Chronicles Will Not Be A Sequel Or Reboot, Or Even An "MMORPG"

In a Producer’s Letter, Executive Producer Ham Yongjin of XL GAMES unveiled the studio’s vision for ArcheAge Chronicles — a new entry in the ArcheAge franchise.

Rather than a direct sequel or reboot, Chronicles is positioned as a reimagining of the original's MMORPG universe, set 50 years after the events of the original game and offering a distinctly different experience in both gameplay and tone. Set in a revitalized Auroria, Chronicles invites players to take on the role of pioneers returning to a land once abandoned, now teeming with renewed life and untold mysteries.

Unlike the franchise’s MMO roots, the new title shifts genres to become a shared-world online action RPG, with faster, more responsive combat mechanics that include real-time dodging, weapon swapping, and skill-based combo chains. The game emphasizes exploration over traditional questing, encouraging players to uncover secrets and piece together stories through organic discovery.

Core systems from the original game — like crafting, lifeskills, and player housing — are being modernized. Housing, for instance, is now persistent across channels and enhanced with social features like NPC roommates and decorative interactivity, aiming to foster deeper community engagement.

Although still early in development, Chronicles has already completed initial focus group testing, and additional playtest opportunities are on the way. Ham said that the game is being built with both longtime fans and new players in mind, calling it “a fresh start that carries the heart of ArcheAge into a new era.”

We’re not sure if this will be free-to-play, but probably since the original ArcheAge was.