Heroes of Arkesia, As we prepare Lost Ark to launch in early 2022, we’re excited to welcome players into Arkesia during our Closed Beta test. The focus of Closed Beta will be on the technical aspects of the game such as server stability, tech integrations, and large scale bug testing. You’ll also find a host of new content that you can experience and help us test too. There’s no need to worry about an NDA— feel free to discuss with friends and share, record, or broadcast your Beta content and gameplay. The test will run on Steam, starting November 4 at 9AM PT (4PM UTC), and closing November 11 at 11:59AM PT (6:59PM UTC) with servers in North America and Europe. At the start of the Closed Beta test, we will be conducting a load test for a few hours. For those first few hours, every player within a region will be sent to a single world. We want players to understand that there may be queue times depending on the number of players logging in during the initial load test. This is an intentional part of the testing, and we will be expanding worlds as more players come online after the first few hours of load testing is complete to ensure all Closed Beta participants are able to hop into Arkesia quickly. Thank you for your support and participation! If you are interested in helping us test, sign up for your chance now. Pre-purchasing any of the Lost Ark Founder’s Packs will grant entry into the Closed Beta, and additional testers will be invited from our tester sign up program and other giveaways! [h2]FORUMS & AMAZON GAMES DISCORD[/h2] Looking for fellow fans to play with during Closed Beta or interested in providing feedback? For those looking for a place to ask questions, leave feedback, and have long-form discussions, the forums will be your go-to space. If you’re instead interested in chatting about Lost Ark with other players or looking for folks to group up with, the Lost Ark section in the Amazon Games Discord is the community place for you. Both spaces are now open for Closed Beta and are accessible through the links below. [url=https://discord.com/invite/amazon-games]Amazon Games Discord[/url] [url=https://forums.playlostark.com/]Official Lost Ark Forums[/url] [h2]CLOSED BETA UPDATES[/h2] Existing fans of Lost Ark and Closed Alpha participants can find a comprehensive list of changes between the Closed Alpha and Closed Beta here. Please note that many core systems such as localization and monetization are still in progress and will have additional changes between Closed Beta and launch. While the team has been working hard translating Lost Ark into the four languages we have committed to for launch, you may come across instances in the game where the text doesn't quite feel right just yet. Because Lost Ark is such a massive game, adding in new content and features that we wanted to be ready for launch added a lot of extra last-minute work for our localization team. We are committed to continuing to improve and polish the localization up to and after the game launches. [h3]GAME CONTENT[/h3] [list] [*] The unique prologue per class has been replaced with one streamlined prologue. [*] Adventurers will start at level 10 and progress though the Forgotten Land Of Trua after selecting their subclass. On top of a new story, it will teach the basic controls and battle techniques of Lost Ark. [*] Increased the level cap from 50 in Closed Alpha to 55. [*] Increased Expedition level cap from 55 in Closed Alpha to 100. [*] 2nd Awakening Skill & Quest added for all classes. [*] All content up to Rohendel will be unlocked, including: Main Story Quests, Field Boss (Magmadon), and Rohendel Chaos Dungeons. [*] All dungeon content up to Phantom Palace will be unlocked, including: Abyss Dungeon - Phantom Palace (Twisted Monarch's Hall) and Abyss Dungeon - Phantom Palace (Hildebrandt Palace). [*] New Guardian Raids: T2 Chromanium, T2 Nacrasena, T2 Flame Fox Yoho, and T2 Tytalos added. [*] Vern Chaos Gate added. [*] Shadespire Tower (Floors 1 - 50) added. Can be accessed via any major city. [*] Cube Dungeons (Normal) added. Can be accessed via any major city. [*] Farms and Caves can be unlocked by completing "Small Island: Discover Uninhabited Island" Stronghold research. Quests unlocked after completing. This is a small island within your Stronghold which has many gatherable resources which regenerate daily. [*] We are opening up 70 islands for Closed Beta participants to discover and explore, including Gienah and Procyon [*] Similar to Closed Alpha, we will be running an attendance event for the duration of Closed Beta. Adventurers will be able to claim various rewards each day they log in. [/list] [h3]GENERAL IMPROVEMENTS[/h3] [list] [*] Added font size adjustments. [*] Added additional hairstyles within character creation. [*] Updated guild menu UI. [*] Moderation: In support of Player Safety, a new system has been implemented, allowing Adventurers to report behavior that is against the Code of Conduct. [*] Language Filtering: Added in support for filtering out obscene language across all supported locales. [*] Currency Exchange: We are working to improve the UI of the Currency Exchange, but the Currency Exchange will be disabled in the Closed Beta. Updated Currency Exchange will be available at Launch. [*] Powerpass / Adventurers Path: Given the short test period, A Powerpass will be provided to Adventurers in Closed Beta. This is to aid fast progression for alt characters so that the users can enjoy the contents with the various classes. When the player completes the Main Quest (Ealyn's Gift) from North Vern, a single Vern Powerpass Token will be provided via in-game mail. Only one Powerpass will be provided per account. Adventurers Path can be started immediately after consuming the Powerpass on an alternate character. This feature compresses the level 10 - 50 segment for an alt character and is a story told by Beatrice. It will guide you on the essentials and progression, specific to your class, allowing you to re-live the content through that character. Completing the Adventurers Path quest chain will equip your character with the gear appropriate for Vern content. [*] We've made it so that Strongholds are unlocked sooner, giving adventurers the ability to have a home and decorate earlier in their journey. [/list] [h3]NEW FEATURES[/h3] [list] [*] The Closed Beta will include the new Striker class. [*] Added color blind filters. [*] Voice over language selection - Note that this only change VO and will not affect text. [*] Text to speech (TTS) accessibility is live. Improvements will be made from now to Launch. In order to use, you have to activate the Windows Narrator, and it will read the text that you type. [*] Added Room Of Growth - Accessible after completing the Northern Bern World Quest "Afterimage of the Rift". A feature that allows you to experience and learn functions that Lost Ark has to offer, including Mounts, Pets, Crafting, Engraving, Disassembling, and Refining. [*] Procyon's Compass Added: Adventurers will find a menu accessible through a Widget that showcases active Field Bosses, Ghost Ships, Chaos Gates, and the current Adventure Islands. [*] Adventure Island Added - This is a new feature that directs users to islands that are only available during certain times. Once on the island, you'll be given a Co-Op quest and must face a boss in order to receive a variety of rewards. [*] Custom PvP matches and spectating has been added. [/list] [h3]STORE[/h3] We understand that one of the big questions among players is monetization. Please see our business model article if you’re curious about how Lost Ark will be monetized. Currently, Amazon Games and Smilegate RPG are working together to tune products to better fit the western audience. [list] [*] For the Closed Beta, we are opening the store and Mari's Secret Shop, providing partial products. The range of products and prices may change between now and launch. [*] All players will be able to experience Crystalline Aura, which is the exclusive premium service for the Western users. [*] This service will allow adventurers to enjoy an array of convenience functions. These benefits can be found listed on Founder’s Pack page. [*] Additional functionality will be added to Crystalline Aura at launch. [*] 40,000 Royal Crystals will be provided to Adventurers for free, during Closed Beta. (This Royal Crystal can only be used during Closed Beta and will not carry into launch). [/list] We look forward to adventuring with you during Closed Beta!