Lost Ark Announces Major Improvements, Early Events, And Server Merge Plans

Smilegate addressed community concerns and clarified moderation policies around the Style Book and Stronghold Portrait systems in Lost Ark. 

They confirmed that cosmetic and skin showcases for the free-to-play ARPG — including swimwear — are acceptable, but any uploads depicting sexual acts or using dyes to simulate nudity will be penalized under Amazon Games' Code of Conduct. The developers emphasized their intent to maintain a respectful environment while allowing player creativity within set boundaries.

The July update brings a wide range of content and improvements beyond what was previously teased in the roadmap. Key additions include the return of the Maharaka Festival with new swimsuit skins, an overhaul of the Achievement system, four new hairstyles, and several beginner-focused improvements like guide mission tweaks and reduced gear crafting requirements. Quality-of-life changes will impact core activities such as Kurzan Frontline, Guardians, and Una’s Tasks. Additionally, due to strong community demand, progression events like the Powerpass and Mokoko Challenge Express will launch early, allowing new and returning players to take advantage of them ahead of the Valkyrie Advanced Class debut in August.

Looking ahead, the team announced a major server merge planned for fall 2025, combining NA West and NA East into a single North American region. This long-anticipated change is designed to unify the player base but will require significant resources, resulting in the temporary delay of other projects like API development.