Amazon Game Studios Exits MMO Publishing, Returns Lost Ark and Throne and Liberty to Developers
Amazon Game Studios is transferring Western publishing duties for 'Throne and Liberty' and 'Lost Ark' back to their original developers, NC and Smilegate respectively. The move is part of the company's strategic pivot away from massively multiplayer online games. The transition will affect live operations for both titles.
Amazon is relinquishing its role as the Western publisher and live-service operator for both titles, returning these duties to the original development teams. This decision follows the company's broader strategic retreat from the massively multiplayer online genre.
In an official statement, the publisher praised the developers' creative worlds and dedicated player communities. While they expressed a commitment to a seamless handover, no specific timelines or changes to in-game content were disclosed in the announcement.
Players of these titles could see shifts in update schedules, server maintenance, or regional support as the original studios assume full control. The developers may face increased operational workloads, but could also gain greater creative autonomy. This move might signal a wider industry trend where large platform holders reconsider the demanding, long-term commitments of live-service MMO publishing, potentially affecting how similar games are supported in the future.