Amazon's Lost Ark free-to-play MMO exploded in popularity as soon as it was released in Europe and the Americas earlier this month. It became Steam's most-played MMO ever merely a week after its launch, and players in Europe have had to deal with lengthy queues even earlier than that. In an attempt to solve the problem, Smilegate (the game's developer) and Amazon have created "Europe West." It's a completely new server region meant for new players, however, and those already playing in "Europe Central" might have to keep struggling with long wait times.
"The Europe Central region is at capacity and unfortunately there is no way to increase the number of players per world in Europe Central," the company's latest announcement about the situation said. It's apparently not possible to add more servers in the region "based on the complexity of all the systems that need to work together." Amazon and the developer are positioning Europe West as an appealing option for those who haven't made much progress in Central yet, because it's not possible to transfer server regions at the moment.
The server transfer function has just rolled out in Korea, where the game was first released back in 2019, and it requires the developer to process transfers in weekly batches. It also doesn't support region transfers yet and won't do European players any good in its current form, but the companies said they "will not rest until [they've] exhausted all options."
While unfortunate for European players, it's a nice problem to have for Amazon. In 2020, it pulled the plug on Crucible, the free-to-play shooter it had been developing since 2016, after evaluating the feedback it got from a closed beta. Its New World MMO became a hit in 2021, but the reception for the older game wasn't quite as intense as Lost Ark's.
Seeing a rocket blast off to the Moon is "a once-in-a-lifetime thing to experience," says Joanne Bostandji.
Skipper Rohit Sharma on Saturday said India have learnt from their previous loss to Pakistan but playing their arch-rivals in the hotly-anticipated Asia Cup match will be a challenge.
The Peak Tram, Hong Kong's famed public transport and a popular tourist draw, reopened Saturday after a year-long $102 million facelift even as the city's coronavirus curbs continue to keep overseas visitors at bay. The historic funicular, which dates back to 1888 and offers panoramic views of Hong Kong Island's famous skyline as it ascends to Victoria Peak, used to draw over six million visitors a year, according to its operator. The latest makeover brought more spacious tramcars that accommodate 210 passengers, a full overhaul of its rail systems and a redesigned terminus at the heart of Hong Kong's central business district. The Peak Tram closed for upgrades in June 2021, a period when the Chinese finance hub's strict border controls — in line with Beijing's zero-Covid strategy — all but wiped out its tourism industry. The redevelopment went overbudget by around $15 million, which its operator attributed to supply chain difficulties during the pandemic, such as bringing the custom Switzerland-made tramcars to Hong Kong. An adult return ticket now costs HK$88 ($11.20), a nearly 70 percent jump from before the makeover. "I hope all visitors will feel it's worth the price," May Tsang, general manager of tram operator the Peak Complex, said on Wednesday. "We have to consider the increase in our operating costs and the long-term sustainability of our business." On Saturday morning, a woman surnamed Kwok and her young daughter were among a crowd of around a hundred waiting in line to try out the refurbished tram. "It's been a long time since I was here and it'll be her first time," she said of her daughter. Chau, who brought his two sons along for a family outing, said he was generally satisfied with the revamp. "It's a bit pricey, but so is everything nowadays." Tourists were mostly absent on Saturday as Hong Kong saw just a total of 134,000 visitors in the past four quarters — a mere fraction of the 65 million that came to the city in 2018. The new sixth generation tramcars are a far cry from the sedan chairs that carried visitors to Victoria Peak during the early days of British colonial rule. But they are now painted in a deep green colour, a nod to previous generation tramcars in service from 1948 until 1989 — when they were refurbished in a burgundy red. At 396 metres (1,300 feet) above sea level, the Peak, once an exclusive enclave for Hong Kong's rich and powerful, remained off-limits to most of the local population until 1947. It is now best known as an easy-to-access spot for residents and tourists to enjoy views of Hong Kong's sprawling cityscape, with Victoria Harbour in the distance. hol/dhc
Thousands of people living near flood-swollen rivers in Pakistan's north were ordered to evacuate Saturday as the death toll from devastating monsoon rains neared 1,000 with no end in sight.
With restorative rituals, yoga retreats and psychedelic experiences, Mexico has become a magnet for spiritually minded tourists seeking an alternative vacation far from the troubles of the modern world.
England captain Ben Stokes struck twice shortly after tea to pave the way for his side's series-levelling innings and 85-run win over South Africa inside three days in the second Test at Old Trafford on Saturday.
China's slowing economy has left millions of young people fiercely competing for an ever-slimming raft of jobs and facing an increasingly uncertain future.
OG entered the grand finals with all the momentum in the world, as they outplayed Aster in one teamfight after another. Here's how they did it.
Nearly 100 people have died over this weekend alone, taking the total death toll to 1033 – including 348 children
He may have not won a title since his surprise World Championships triumph last December, but Loh Kean Yew has shown that he is a humble and classy champion worthy of our support, says Chia Han Keong.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up four wickets, including the prized scalp of Babar Azam, while Pandya expertly used short-pitched deliveries in India's inspired fast-bowling display to help them skittle out Pakistan for 147. All Pakistan wickets fell to India's fast bowlers with Arshdeep Singh taking two and Avesh Khan picking up the remaining one.
India head coach Rahul Dravid has taken charge of the team in the United Arab Emirates for the Asia Cup campaign after recovering from COVID-19, the country's cricket board (BCCI) said on Sunday. India batting great Dravid tested positive on Tuesday before the team's departure to the UAE for the six-team Twenty20 tournament. The BCCI had named VVS Laxman, who heads the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, as assistant coach in Dravid's absence.
The fate of hundreds of thousands of people in Pakistan's southern Sindh province lies with a 90-year-old barrage that directs the flow of water from the mighty Indus River into one of the world's largest irrigation systems.
Uday Umesh Lalit was sworn in on Saturday as India's Chief Justice for the Supreme Court, though he is only set to hold the post for 74 days before his retirement falls due in November. Under India's constitution, Supreme Court justices are required to retire aged 65 years. The chief justice is appointed by the president according seniority.
Cricket writing | Tubeless toilet rolls | Soldier beetles | Coastal grandmothers | Counting the decades
The Peak Tram, Hong Kong's famed public transport and a popular tourist draw, reopened Saturday after a year-long $102 million facelift even as the city's coronavirus curbs continue to keep overseas visitors at bay.
Serbia and Kosovo have agreed on an arrangement for free movement between their countries, the European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell announced Saturday.
Clashes between backers of Libya's rival governments killed at least 23 people and damaged six hospitals in Tripoli on Saturday, sparking fears that a political crisis could spiral into a major new armed conflict.
Tunisia announced Saturday the recall of its ambassador to Morocco for consultations, a day after the kingdom did the same in response to Tunisia's president hosting the Polisario movement's leader.
The death toll from monsoon flooding in Pakistan since June has reached 1,033, according to figures released Sunday by the country's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).