Amazon's Throne and Liberty Attracts 3 Million Players in First Week

In the world of online gaming, few titles have made as significant an impact in such a short time as "Throne and Liberty." This free-to-play massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), developed by NCSoft and published by Amazon Games, has attracted over three million players within its first week of launch. Originally intended as a sequel to the popular "Lineage" series, "Throne and Liberty" offers players a rich experience filled with both Player versus Environment (PvE) and Player versus Player (PvP) elements, all set in a dynamic and seamless world.

The journey to launch was not without its challenges. The game faced multiple delays during its development, which spanned several years. However, it finally made its debut on October 1, available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. Upon its release, "Throne and Liberty" quickly gained traction on Steam, achieving a remarkable peak of 336,300 concurrent players. This impressive figure positions it among the most-played games on Valve’s platform at present.

Amazon Games reported that players have collectively spent an astounding 24 million hours in the game, with an additional 11 million hours of gameplay being streamed on Twitch. Christoph Hartmann, Vice President of Amazon Games, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "Bringing Throne and Liberty to players around the world has been a huge shared undertaking by our team and our friends at NCSoft, and we’re so pleased to see the results as players join the game." He further mentioned that the company has exciting updates planned, including the first castle siege, which is set to enhance the gaming experience.

Despite its early success, "Throne and Liberty" has received a mixed user review rating on Steam. Many players have voiced concerns regarding server issues and the typical monetization strategies often found in free-to-play MMOs. IGN's impressions during the beta phase noted that while the game is enjoyable, it "doesn't do enough to stand out." This feedback highlights the challenges that developers face in creating a unique gaming experience in a crowded market.

For Amazon Games, the success of "Throne and Liberty" comes at a time when the company is also focusing on its own developed MMO, "New World," and the action role-playing game "Lost Ark," which it published in 2022. Additionally, Amazon is working on the next "Tomb Raider" game and has plans for a "The Lord of the Rings" MMORPG, among other projects. Hartmann previously mentioned that the "Lord of the Rings" MMO is still in its early stages, while the next "Tomb Raider" installment is described as a "huge, huge task."

The launch of "Throne and Liberty" marks a significant milestone in the gaming industry, showcasing the potential for free-to-play models to attract large audiences. As the game continues to evolve and receive updates, it will be interesting to see how it addresses player feedback and whether it can maintain its momentum in the competitive landscape of online gaming. For players and fans alike, the future looks promising, with many exciting developments on the horizon.