Sparking excitement among the gaming community, Smilegate hosted the '2024 Roaon Winter' event from December 14 to 16 at the COEX Le West atrium in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. This annual winter festival serves as both a celebration of the past year and a presentation of future plans for the hugely popular MMORPG, Lost Ark. Around 300 dedicated fans attended the initial showcase, eagerly awaiting news on updates and new content.
The event kicked off with music performed by a five-member band, playing beloved tracks from Lost Ark, including 'Everyone's Wishes,' 'Echidna,' and 'Resurrected Lord of the Abyss.' Onstage to welcome fans was caster Jeong So-rim, setting the stage for the day's announcements. Following this, Director Jeon Jae-hak expressed gratitude toward the community, stating, 'I have strived to meet the promises made to our users. I apologize for any shortcomings experienced during the early part of Season 3, but I feel proud of the tireless efforts put forth this year.'
The highlight of the showcase was the reveal of the 2025 roadmap, introducing significant updates for Lost Ark. One of the most anticipated announcements was the new continent 'Limreike', scheduled for release on January 8, 2025. Set to explore plots surrounding the lost Cindy and the Abyss boundary known as 'Narga's Door,' this new land promises adventures and encounters to enthrall players.
Alongside Limreike, the new class 'Beastmaster' was unveiled, set to change gameplay dynamics with the use of spirit summons and various transformative abilities. Fans were treated to promotional videos showcasing the unique skills of the Beastmaster class, sparking conversations among participants about potential strategies and applications within the game. Jeon Jae-hak confirmed, 'The Beastmaster will be available from January 8,' drawing applause from attendees.
Further exciting news included the third act of the Kazeros raid, titled 'Blackest Night of the Storm,' which is slated for release at the end of January. This raid promises to deliver intense gameplay across three phases, spotlighting the conflict between demon armies, guardians, and the abyssal beings. The required item levels for participation are set to 1680 for Normal mode and 1700 for Hard mode. Jeon assured fans, 'You will experience gameplay like never before; we're not just recycling old formats,' encouraging players to await the thrilling challenges to come.
Projected for summer release is the climactic finale of the Kazeros raid dubbed 'Final: The Citadel of Doom.' Jeon pledged, 'Expect to face insurmountable challenges; we plan to deliver nothing short of despairing difficulty.' This bold statement evoked mixed reactions from the audience—both awe and apprehension.
The event wasn't solely about announcements; attendees enjoyed various interactive spaces, including exhibition areas for fan art and mini-games. The ambiance infused with Christmas spirit welcomed fans at the entrance, where huge decorations and the mascot Mokoko awaited. Interactive events such as the 'Mokoko Gacha Game' provided delight, allowing fans to take home unique collectibles.
This year's show also featured insights and feedback sessions based on player input, demonstrating Smilegate's commitment to community engagement. Director Jeon reiterated, 'We will always listen to our players. The changes planned aim to simplify growth pathways and unify experiences across the board.' System enhancements will include the integration of Ark Passive growth throughout all sections of gameplay, and improvements to elixirs and transcendence for user convenience.
An intriguing new feature introduced is the 'Scoreboard System,' allowing users to create and share musical scores between each other. Also showcased was the new Hair Cosmetics update, offering new styles for characters, complete with animated effects, enhancing the customization options available.
Throughout the three days of the event, activities did not cease as the 'Lost Ark Winter Museum' would host 2,000 general fans from the 15th to 16th, allowing more players to partake in this immersive experience.
Fan impressions at the event were overwhelmingly positive. Participant A remarked, 'This is my third year playing Lost Ark, and I always wanted to see Roaon Winter live! Today was full of delightful surprises and gifts.' Various interactive zones encouraged creative expressions, enabling fans to design their merchandise like unique T-shirts, eco bags, and keychains.
Concluding the showcase, Jeon assured fans: 'A formidable war against the strongest enemies awaits us; you're going to want to be here for what's coming.' With expectations set high, the Lost Ark community is buzzing with anticipation for 2025 and the new adventures to come.
