ArcheAge's Maelstrom Expansion -- And Better Communication With XLGames -- On The Horizon
Get wet and wild in Maelstrom, the next expansion for ArcheAge, which will add the game's first PvP naval arena, a new open-world raid finder, and changes to the Gem system -- as well as promises of better communication between Trion Worlds and XLGames.
First lets talk about gameplay. Bloodsalt Bay is a new naval battleground that sends four crews of five players each into a massive free-for-all "against monsters and terrors of the deep." In PvE-land, the Raid Recruitment Board will help players organize for bigger raiding takedowns, and the Lunagem system has been greatly simplified to reduce random chance when upgrading. Who could have ever predicted randomness in crafting would be unpopular?
Along with the news, the ArcheAge Team has posted an update letter that makes some interesting promises to players. In it, Trion says it will offer players more direct contact with XLGames' Korean developers, including "Korean developer diaries" and "North American and European involvement in upcoming tests." The reference there is to the big Battle Balance tests that both Korean and US/EU gamers will participate in.
If that isn't enough, Trion also offers up probably the understatement of the century:
If there’s one thing we have heard you very loud and clear on, it’s that we need to reconsider how items are sold in the North American and European regions.
To that end, Trion is putting every option on the table ("no stone is being left unturned here"), including revising how supply crates work and how their contents are communicated. Over the summer, Trion began letting players know the rarity of drops in those crates, and this month they'll be taking T3 Honor Gems out of the crates altogether.
Maelstrom arrives in ArcheAge Dec. 6. There's a lot more in the letter, including word on potential new Fresh Start servers and a teaser for next year's first content drop. If you're still holding out hope for ArcheAge, make sure to give it a read.
Related Articles
About the Author

Jason Winter is a veteran gaming journalist, he brings a wide range of experience to MMOBomb, including two years with Beckett Media where he served as the editor of the leading gaming magazine Massive Online Gamer. He has also written professionally for several gaming websites.
Read Next
Warframe's Plains of Eidolon To Hit Consoles Next Week
Come November 14, console Warframe players will be able to jump into the game's latest content update, Plains of Eidolon.
By QuintLyn Bowers - 5 years agoYou May Enjoy
Blade & Soul Producer’s Letter Reveals Lighter Content Delivery For 2023
There is a need for additional development time.
By QuintLyn Bowers - 6 days agoEville Season 2 Takes Players To The Home Of The Orcs, And You Can Finally Dance!
Explore the snow-covered mining town of Frostpit, in the mountains.
By QuintLyn Bowers - 1 week agoFortnite Creative’s Unreal Editor Now Delayed Until March
The long-awaited game mode is pushed back once more.
By Aspen Pash - 1 week agoLeague Of Legends Source Code Stolen During Cyber Attack Last Week; Riot Receives Ransom Email
"Today, we received a ransom email. Needless to say, we won't pay."
By Anthony Jones - 1 week agoStar Trek Online Ushers In A Brand-New Update (And Anniversary!) "Refractions"
The long-running MMORPG title celebrates its 13th year anniversary next month.
By Aspen Pash - 1 week agoMicrosoft Claims Sony Created A False Narrative To Try And Dissuade EU Regulators Concerning The Acquisition of Activision Blizzard
“It would defy business logic for us to exclude PlayStation.”
By Aspen Pash - 3 days ago
Discussion (5)