Amazon Game Studios is stepping away from the massively multiplayer online genre, a move that changes who will manage two of the most popular Western MMOs. This strategic exit means players of Throne and Liberty and Lost Ark will see their games handed back to the studios that originally built them. The transition begins in late 2026 and continues into early 2027, affecting how these titles are supported and updated in Western markets.
Amazon Game Studios exits MMOs, handing Lost Ark and Throne and Liberty to original developers
The publishing rights for Throne and Liberty will return to NCSoft and FirstSpark Games starting in the fourth quarter of 2026. Amazon is moving its focus toward intellectual property where it holds broader media rights, such as 007 and Tomb Raider. This shift allows the publisher to concentrate on franchises with deeper cross-media potential rather than maintaining standalone MMO operations.
Lost Ark Western operations will transfer to Smilegate in early 2027. During both transitions, Amazon guarantees that player accounts, data, and entitlements will carry over to the new operators. There is a caveat regarding user-generated content, which may not transfer completely to the new servers or platforms.
NCSoft plans to introduce its PURPLE platform for Throne and Liberty to support the game after the handover. This platform will enable cross-progression for players using Steam. The support will not extend to other platforms, limiting the cross-play functionality to the PC ecosystem.
This restructuring marks a clear end to Amazon's direct involvement in live-service MMO development and publishing. Players should expect stability in their account progressions but need to monitor the new operators for changes in game features and community tools.
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