XL Games will release its new massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) "ArcheAge Chronicles" on Steam early access on Nov. 4. After its contract with former publisher Kakao Games ended, it is switching to self-publishing and presenting the title to the global market.

XL Games on Oct. 28 disclosed the early access launch schedule for ArcheAge Chronicles through its official website and social media and started global pre-sales. The domestic price is 36,000 won, and it sells for $29.99 in the United States.

ArcheAge Chronicles is a sequel to the PC MMORPG "ArcheAge" that XL Games released in 2013. It was initially developed under the name "ArcheAge 2" but was changed to its current name in 2024. Kakao Games was set to handle publishing, but after the contract ended, the developer XL Games will provide the service directly.

The game is an open-world action MMORPG built on Unreal Engine 5. Players can explore a vast continent while enjoying quests and battles, character growth and cooperative content between users. It puts a focus on action combat, including parrying enemy attacks and chaining skills.

Early access will offer an open world about 20 times larger than the previously released demo version. It adds more than 60 areas, including most of "Shining Coast" as well as "Golden Ruins" and "Constellation Plains."

It places unique stories and quests, bosses and dungeons by area, and also provides more than 1,000 exploration and collection elements. Some areas include 300 to 400 collection and exploration contents.

It also offers life-simulation content outside of combat. Users can join dungeons and raids with other users or enjoy player-versus-player (PvP) combat. It supports housing, crafting and trade, as well as travel using gliders and underwater exploration.

Earlier, XL Games released a trial version at "Steam Next Fest" held from Oct. 20 to 27. It ranked No. 1 on the popular demo chart on the first day of the event, and placed fifth in the overall demo popularity rankings released after the event ended. The development team plans to improve combat controls and balance, convenience features and optimisation based on feedback collected during testing.