It's no secret that Lost Ark isn't where it used to be. The Diablo-adjacent MMO launched in 2022 with a staggering 1.3 million concurrent Steam players, but over that year, that number trailed off. In 2025, the player count sits at around 20,000, and while that's respectable, it's a far cry from launch. That could all be about to change, however, as Smilegate's MMO has been slowly climbing back up after a recent major update. With some big changes to the core experience and multiple progression alterations to help players get reacquainted with the game, this could be Lost Ark's moment.
Earlier this month, Smilegate confirmed it was easing progression costs for new and returning MMO for the first time or returning after a long break, adjusting to the game's systems can be incredibly daunting. There are countless materials, weapon and armor tiers, and multiple mechanics that help you get stronger, but they can become overwhelming.
That's why Smilegate introduced nerfs to multiple systems, starting with advanced honing. You now need 50% less honing materials to get from advanced level one to 20, with 20% fewer shards and silver needed for tempering stages one and two, and the first 20 advanced honing levels. Considering how honing is a core system for upgrading your gear in Lost Ark, making it cost less is a huge win.
Smilegate has also slashed the cost of weapon and armor transcendance, making it much easier to upgrade your gear further. Both the restoration and purification gold costs were significantly cut, meaning you'll have more currency in your pocket going forward.
Alongside these changes, the Lost Ark April 2025 patch introduces a new event that will help you gain some powerful honing effects. Running until Wednesday July 23, the new Road to Act Three honing boost event is filled with rewards. Upon completion, you'll get silver, gold, and other resources to use. You'll also get specific achievement rewards between item level 1640 and 1680, which should make it "easier to reach the thresholds needed for future chaos content," according to Smilegate.
These changes aren't the only improvements coming to Lost Ark, though. Smilegate has outlined how it wants to deal with the infamous T-3 Honing Deadzone, which brings progression to a halt for more casual players. The gem system is also being looked at, because the team believes it "creates barriers to both character progression and playstyle flexibility."
In the wake of the update, player count wise, the MMO is faring better than usual. It's risen from a daily peak of around 20,000 concurrent players to just over 30,000. It's a start, at least, and hopefully indicates a new beginning for Lost Ark as Smilegate continues to fix the game's biggest pain points.
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