NCSoft sets THRONE AND LIBERTY transfer for the 11th
NCSoft will move THRONE AND LIBERTY's overseas service from Amazon Games to its own operation, while Nexon and Smilegate also bring publishing in-house in 2027.
NCSoft has scheduled maintenance for the 11th (Korea time) to transfer THRONE AND LIBERTY's overseas service, which had been handled globally by Amazon Games, to its own operation, according to digitaltoday.co.kr. The transfer covers North America, South America, Europe and Japan.
After the handover, THRONE AND LIBERTY players on Steam, PlayStation and Xbox will play in an integrated environment with users of NCSoft's PURPLE platform. NCSoft said existing PURPLE, Steam, PlayStation and Xbox accounts remain usable without creating a new account. Ahead of the move, the game suspended its in-game exchange and sales of some paid items from the 27th of last month.
Two other Korean publishers are also taking back overseas service. Nexon will take over direct service of Blue Archive in Japan from Yostar starting January 2027, while the game's China service remains with a Yostar affiliate. Guest accounts not linked to a Yostar ID cannot be transferred, so users must complete account linking and transfer requests before the migration.
Smilegate will directly service Lost Ark in North America and Europe from early 2027, taking over from Amazon Games, which announced the handover in August. Smilegate said in-game mail contents, friend list memos and group names, block list memos and chat logs will not transfer, and Western Spanish localization ended with last month's update.
Earlier contracts and dates
Blue Archive, developed by Nexon Games, launched in Japan in 2021 with Yostar handling local operation and marketing. On August 12, NCSoft filed a correction disclosing that its THRONE AND LIBERTY publishing contract would end on February 1, 2027, earlier than the original five years after commercialization; NCSoft had disclosed in August a publishing contract with Amazon Games worth 70 million dollars, about 90.7 billion won at the exchange rate at the time of the initial filing. Amazon Games has published Lost Ark in Western regions since 2022.
A Blue Archive 6th anniversary festival is scheduled for January 23-24, 2027 in Japan.
Quick answers
When does NCSoft take over THRONE AND LIBERTY's overseas service?
Transfer maintenance is scheduled for the 11th, Korea time, covering North America, South America, Europe and Japan.
When will Nexon operate Blue Archive in Japan?
Nexon plans to begin direct operation in Japan in January 2027, taking over from Yostar.
When does Smilegate take over Lost Ark in the West?
Smilegate will directly service Lost Ark in North America and Europe from early 2027.