Heroes of Arkesia,
After nearly five years of shared adventures in Arkesia, we’re writing today with an update on the future of Lost Ark in the West. Starting in early 2027 Amazon Game Studios will end its live service operations of Lost Ark, with Smilegate taking over going forward. We are excited about the future of Lost Ark and feel this is a positive outcome for the game's players, as we are handing the game back to the developers. This way, their passion for Lost Ark will live on and players can continue their adventures in the world of Arkesia.
Whether you joined us on day one or discovered Arkesia more recently, you are the heart of this community. Every raid completed, every tap and every friendship forged along the way are moments that exist because of you. Your feedback and passion have been instrumental in evolving Arkesia into the world it is today. From continuous content updates and events to countless memories created together, our team is deeply grateful for this shared journey with our dedicated player community.
While this marks the end of Amazon Game Studios’ service of Lost Ark in the West, we want to acknowledge that Arkesia will continue to thrive here and other regions where Smilegate supports the game. The bonds formed in Arkesia will live on.
A MESSAGE TO OUR PLAYERS
One memory the team will never forget: everyone dancing together in Prideholme Inn before we brought servers down during the closed beta. That same energy hit new heights on launch day when players flooded into Arkesia and broke every record we had.
It’s been a real pleasure watching players in the West take down new raids, push for leaderboard spots, and rally together through every high and low. From the first Valtan clears to the most recent endgame challenges, we’ve celebrated incredible milestones together. Thank you to everyone who created guides for new Mokokos, organized community events, submitted fan art and load screen images, and showed up for every social campaign we ran. This became more than a game for our team. You made us feel like part of something bigger.
TO OUR TEAM
To every developer, community manager, support specialist, localization expert, and team member who worked behind the scenes on both sides of this partnership: thank you. Your dedication, late nights, and genuine passion made this game what it was.
THE JOURNEY AHEAD
Stay connected with your guildmates and fellow adventurers and share your favorite Arkesia memories with us. We will continue monitoring community channels and providing regular updates as we approach the transition date.
From the bottom of our hearts: thank you for your passion, your patience, and for making Arkesia feel like home for five incredible years.
We’ll see you in Arkesia. The adventure continues.
Lost Ark is not ending. Amazon Game Studios' operation of it is transitioning to Smilegate, the game’s original creators.
What Stays the Same vs. What Changes
No changes will be made to your Steam account, your characters, progression or inventory, your platform (Steam), your game data and entitlements, your wallet balances or access to the game itself, unless you opt out. Things that are changing include the publisher, customer support provider, in-game store operator, refund policy for purchases made after the transition and the Terms of Service (all players will be asked to access new ToS from Smilegate).
What Transfers vs. What Doesn’t Transfer
The following will transfer: all preset names (gear, gem, skin, skill, etc.), ship names, stronghold slot/playlist names, map and combat memos, chat macros, NPC renames, and game progression data.
The following player data will not be included in the transition:
In-game mail (titles and body content)
Friends list memos and group names
Blacklist memos
Guild member nicknames and memos
Stronghold gift messages and quiz data
Chat message and chat history
We’re sharing this now so you have time to prepare. If there are items in your mail you want to keep, please claim them before the transition date.
HOW THE TRANSITION WORKS
The transition is targeted for early 2027. Between now and then, Lost Ark continues to operate under Amazon Game Studios. You’ll continue to receive content updates, events, and support as usual.
When the transition happens, your account data will be transferred to Smilegate’s service automatically. Your characters, progression, and items remain intact on servers owned and managed by Smilegate going forward. After the transition, you’ll access your existing account through a first-login flow where you link your Steam account to Smilegate’s systems.
If you do not want your data transferred, we will provide an opt-out window where you can request that your account data not be sent to Smilegate. The opt-out window starts today, August 12 and will end prior to the transition date date. To begin the opt-out process, please visit this page.
Social Accounts and Community Channels
Amazon Game Studios will no longer operate Lost Ark social media accounts (Twitter/X, official Discord, etc.) after the transition date
The official website domain (playlostark.com) will be taken over by Smilegate after transition
FAQ
Transition Overview
Q: What’s happening with Lost Ark?
A: Amazon Game Studios is transitioning publishing of Lost Ark back to the game’s developer, Smilegate. This means Smilegate will become your new publisher and will operate Lost Ark directly going forward. We understand this is a significant change for a game you’ve invested time and energy into, and we’re committed to making this transition as smooth as possible. Smilegate has shared a message about what comes next for Lost Ark after the transition. Read their first Developer Letter here.
Q: When is the transition happening?
A: The transition is planned for early 2027. There will be a brief maintenance window on the date of transition, while operations are handed over.
Q: Will there be any downtime during the transition?
A: Yes, there will be maintenance for the transition. We will share specific downtimes as we get closer to the transition. The game will be fully playable once the transition is complete.
Q: Will there still be content updates before the transition?
A: Yes. Lost Ark will continue to receive content updates and operate until the transition date. After the transition, Smilegate will manage all future content.
Q: Will Lost Ark continue in other regions?
A: Yes. Lost Ark will continue in all regions where Smilegate supports the game, including the West under their direct operation.
Q: Where can I get updates as we approach the transition date?
A: We’ll be sharing regular updates on our official Lost Ark website, Steam community, and social channels. Watch for announcements through the same channels you use today.
Your Account & Data
Q: Will my characters, items, and progression transfer?
A: Yes. Your characters, progression, inventory, items, entitlements, and purchases will transfer to Smilegate. After the transition, you’ll access your existing account through a first-login flow where you link your Steam account to Smilegate’s systems.
Q: What happens to my personal data during this transition?
A: Your game data transfers so you can continue playing seamlessly. Certain personal data categories are excluded from the transfer entirely: IP addresses, chat/message history, free text content (mail, stronghold messages). Your Steam ID and game data will be included to enable account continuity.
Q: What about my in-game wallet balance?
A: Your wallet balances (Royal Crystals, Blue Crystals, Gold, Silver) will transfer in full. Smilegate has agreed to honor 100% of your existing wallet balances at their full value as of the transition date.
Q: What about my active subscriptions?
A: Active subscriptions (such as Crystalline Aura) will be cancelled before the transition with appropriate notice. The 12-month Crystalline Plus subscription has already been removed from sale. We recommend not purchasing new long-term subscriptions. Remaining pre-paid time handling is being finalized with Smilegate.
Q: Will my account action status transfer?
A: Yes, all penalty history and enforcement data will transfer to Smilegate.
Q: What won’t transfer?
A: The following player data will not be included in the transition:
In-game mail (titles and body content)
Friends list memos and group names
Blacklist memos
Guild member nicknames and memos
Stronghold gift messages and quiz data
Chat history
All preset names, ship names, stronghold slot/playlist names, map and combat memos, chat macros, NPC renames, and game progression data will transfer.
Opt-Out Process
Q: Can I opt out of having my data transferred?
A: Yes, the opt out window starts today and will run until prior to the transition date. During this period, you can choose not to have your data migrated to Smilegate. Please visit here for details on how to opt out and to begin the opt-out process.
Q: What happens if I opt out?
A: If you opt out, your account data will not be transferred to Smilegate. This means your characters, progression, and inventory will not carry over. You would need to start fresh if you choose to play Lost Ark under Smilegate’s operation. Please consider carefully before opting out, as this decision affects whether your years of progress transfer.
Q: What if I do nothing during the opt-out period?
A: If you do not opt out, your game data will be transferred to Smilegate as part of the transition. After the transfer, you’ll activate your account with Smilegate through a first-time login flow where you’ll accept their Terms of Service.
Technical / Steam
Q: Do I need to do anything with my Steam account?
A: No. Your Steam account remains yours and unchanged. Lost Ark will continue to be available through Steam. The Steam App ID transfer happens behind the scenes. You don’t need to reinstall or re-purchase anything.
Q: Will I need to download anything new?
A: A client update may be required after the transition maintenance window, but this will be delivered through normal Steam updates. No reinstall required.
Q: What does the migration process look like for me?
A: The process is straightforward:
Before transition: announcements via Steam, in-game, and social channels.
Opt-out window begins now and will end prior to the transition date)
Transition day In early 2027, maintenance window.
First login after: accept Smilegate’s Terms of Service and your account is active.
Purchases & Currency
Q: Can I still purchase and use in-game currency?
A: Yes, the F4 shop will be available to spend your RC. All premium currency purchases (Royal Crystals) will be disabled closer to the transition date. We'll share that date as we get closer. Your existing balance transfers to Smilegate.
Q: Will purchases still be available before Transition?
A: Yes, the in-game store will remain active.
Q: Will Steam Purchases still be available before Transition?
A: Starting August 26, Crystalline Aura subscriptions, T4 Founder's Packs, and the Abyssal Support Pack will be removed from Steam. If you've already purchased these, your items remain in-game. Crystalline Aura will still be available in the in-game shop.
Q: What about currency exchange rates?
A: The currency exchange will be disabled alongside premium currency purchases. We'll share the exact timing as we get closer to the transition date.
Q: I recently made a purchase. Can I get a refund?
A: Amazon Game Studios' policy is no refunds for Lost Ark purchases. All purchased entitlements and wallet balances will be transferred to Smilegate. After the transition, Smilegate will set their own refund policy.
Q: What happens with unclaimed/unused items (skins, passes, pets)?
A: All entitlements and items in your account transfer to Smilegate. If you have pending mail items with expiration dates, we recommend claiming them before the maintenance window.
Support
Q: What about Spanish language support?
A: Spanish language support will be removed with the October 2026 update. After this update, Lost Ark in the West will be available in English only. This change is being made as part of the transition preparation. Players who currently use the Spanish client will still be able to play the game in English.
Q: What about customer support during and after the transition?
A: Before transition: Amazon Game Studios support will handle all issues that occur prior to the transition. After transition: Smilegate provides support for all issues that occur after the transition. We will share Smilegate’s support contact details closer to the transition date.
Q: What happens to Lost Ark social media and community channels?
A: Amazon Game Studios will no longer operate Lost Ark community channels (official website, social media accounts, Discord) after the transition date. The playlostark.com domain will be taken over by Smilegate.
