Last updated on November 3, 2026
More than two years after its reveal, ArcheAge Chronicles is ready to take its first step. The new MMORPG from XLGAMES launches in Steam Early Access on November 3, priced at €29.99 / $29.99.
If you played the original ArcheAge, the name already says a lot. For everyone else, it is an open-world online RPG with real-time combat and an economy built around player trading.
When you can play it
The launch is set for November 3 at 3:00 PM PT, which is 6:00 PM ET, 11:00 PM GMT and midnight CET on November 4.
For now, the game is PC only, via Steam. Versions for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and the Epic Games Store are still planned, but no date has been announced.
ArcheAge Chronicles was originally revealed in September 2024 during a Sony State of Play, with a 2025 release planned on all platforms. Since then, the plan has changed and PC has moved to the front of the line. Along the way, XLGAMES also took over publishing and now releases the game on its own.
Price and what you get
The game is buy-to-play, so you pay once and there is no monthly subscription. The €29.99 price applies to Early Access and may go up at full release.
Players who pre-ordered on Steam get Dawn Pioneer, a cosmetic set for one class of their choice, which can be claimed directly in-game.
A sequel set 50 years later
The story takes place on the continent of Auroria, roughly 50 years after the events of the original ArcheAge. You play as an explorer from a trading guild investigating ancient ruins and the crash of an airship.
Quests do not follow a fixed order, so you choose your own path through the story.
Action combat, not tab-targeting
One of the biggest changes from the first game is the combat system. ArcheAge Chronicles drops classic tab-targeting in favor of real-time combat with dodging, blocking and parrying.
Four classes are available at launch, each with two weapons:
- Warrior: Longsword and Greatsword
- Ranger: Longbow and Hatchet
- Berserker: Axe with Shield and Warhammer
- Mage: Elemental Staff and Wavesword
One detail that has bothered part of the community: for now, character gender is tied to class. XLGAMES has listened to the feedback and will remove this restriction step by step, starting with a female Warrior in the first December update. The stated goal is to let every class be played as any gender before full release.
A third weapon will also be added class by class. The Warrior gets it first, with the Gladius, in that same December update.
What Early Access includes
The game starts with three regions: Diamond Shores, Gylden Ruins and Astron Plains. On top of exploration, you get dungeons, bosses, raids and PvP.
The sandbox side is still there, with housing, crafting, farming, foraging and hunting. Trading plays a central role, and some trade routes are dangerous, so guilds will need to protect their shipments.
European players will be on a server in Frankfurt, according to pre-launch reports. Worth knowing: there are no server transfers during Early Access.
How long Early Access will last
XLGAMES expects Early Access to run for 9 to 12 months. During that time, the studio plans to add new regions, more storylines, extra weapons, balance changes and more life skill activities.
“We plan to continue incorporating your valuable feedback into regular updates throughout Early Access,” said Yongjin Ham, executive producer at XLGAMES.
The demo played during Steam Next Fest in October did well, finishing fifth on the list of most played demos.
What PC you need
Built on Unreal Engine 5, the game is not exactly lightweight. You need at least 16 GB of RAM, while the recommended setup calls for 32 GB of RAM and a graphics card along the lines of an RTX 4060 Ti.
The install takes up 100 GB, and an SSD is required.
The studio has also disclosed that it used AI tools for some visual elements, which the art team then reworked.
Is it worth jumping in now?
At €29.99 with no subscription, ArcheAge Chronicles is a fairly affordable way into a new MMORPG. Still, this is Early Access, so expect bugs, missing content and changes along the way.
If you enjoyed the original ArcheAge or you are looking for an MMO with faster combat and a player-driven economy, it is worth keeping a close eye on. If you prefer a polished experience, waiting for version 1.0 might be the smarter move.
I’m passionate about books and video games. These two great passions represent, for me, a boundless universe where I can “escape” from reality whenever I need or want to. There are so many stories, worlds, and landscapes where I can instantly teleport that I don’t think a whole lifetime would be enough to explore them all (though it would be my greatest dream to be able to).
