Lost Ark Removing Genderlocking, Adding Personal Islands And Battle Royale In Next Patch

Smilegate may not yet have made any official announcement regarding a Lost Ark launch in the West, but some interesting developments in its Korean version are seemingly paving the way for such a move. The Lost Ark Database has lots of details on the upcoming Season 2 update for the game, and it includes one point that could foreshadow the ARPG's eventual arrival on North American and European shores.

Lost Ark Database lists 22 features of the update, which include a new continent, new classes, a new dungeon, and even the ability to have your own personal island. Why limit yourself to a house like in other MMOs when Lost Ark lets you have an entire island? And just in case you thought the trend might slow down in 2020, think again: There will also be a "Battle Royale Island," where "the goal is to survive the threat of dinosaurs and become the last person." Dinosaurs? Is this Lost Ark or just Ark?

It's Feature #7 that's got us excited: "Genderlock Removal." Genderlocking is a standard part of many Korean MMOs, so the fact that Smilegate is looking to do away with it in Lost Ark could be a major sign that it's preparing for a Western release. Of course, we've been saying that for a while, but maybe this will be the last thing Smilegate needs to consider the game ready for a Pacific Ocean-spanning voyage? Probably not, but we -- and by "we" I mostly mean Zach Sharpes -- can dream.