2019 was a banner year for ArcheAge. Gamigo launched the Buy-2-Play ArcheAge: Unchained, released the massive Hiram update, and much more. As we head into the Lunar New Year, let’s highlight 2019 with a look back at the year that was. We’ve also got some new details on what’s coming to ArcheAge in 2020, so be sure to read through to the end!

Update 5.1 Revamps the Pirates & Hero Systems

ArcheAge update 5.1 dropped in early January, fully fleshing out the Pirate faction and expanding the power of Erenor’s Heroes. Limited numbers of players could now join the Pirate faction without having to accrue Crime and Infamy points. The overall number of Heroes were reduced, but their power and available content was expanded with the addition of new abilities and quests.

The Story of Hiram Continues

The Relics of Hiram story continued with ArcheAge’s March Update. Players could now learn more about the enigmatic Hiram people by aiding Hiram’s High Priestess in a new quest line. The update also added a new instanced dungeon, the Fall of Hiram City. In the Fall of Hiram City dungeon, players were tasked with rescuing as many villagers as possible, with rewards scaling based on the number of rescued villagers, including Mysterious Hiram Infusion, Honor Points, or Vocation Badges.

The Black Dragon Terrorizes the Ridgelands

In May, a new danger threatened the Karkasse Ridgeland. The Black Dragon became available as a new World Boss in the zone. Once defeated, players would have to fight each other over its many treasures.

The Mystery of Hiram Unfolds in the Eastern Hiram Mountains

ArcheAge’s June update sent players to the Eastern Hiram Mountains, where the story of Hiram continued from where it left off in March. Fighters of Erenor gleaned additional insights into the history of the Hiram by learning of the history of an ancient Hiram ritual. The Abyssal Legion threatened those who dared to explore the region. The update also added the Glorious Hiram Guardian and Radiant Hiram Guardian equipment, new daily quests awarding rare items, a bump in the Ancestral level cap, and new achievements for pet collectors.

ArcheAge Turns Five

ArcheAge celebrated its fifth anniversary in 2019, kicking off a special event in Mirage Isle in late August. Players used provided Glider Boots to fly high into the sky in a new platforming adventure. Those acrobatic enough to make it to the top of the platform were rewarded with coins redeemable for a new title, Bound Serendipity Stone, Bound Radiant Runescribe Quill, and more.

ArcheAge: Unchained Launches

After rounds of public testing, ArcheAge: Unchained, the Buy-2-Play version of ArcheAge, went live alongside the Shadows Revealed update in October.

Players who purchased ArcheAge: Unchained gained access to everything developed for ArcheAge. This version of the game made even the most powerful items available to players who possessed the skill to claim them.

Shadows Revealed updated the game with significant graphical enhancements and visual improvements for the elven race.  Additionally, upgraded combat effects allowed for more enjoyable and detailed combat. The Swiftblade, a deadly new skillset, rounded out the update.

Invitations to the Mistsong Banquet Go Out

A holiday themed update arrived in December, inviting players to take part in the new Mistsong Banquet instance. In the new instance, players assisted the Crimson Watch in defeating the Courtesan of Mistsong and her army of monsters through 20 waves of intense battle.

The untold truth of the Fall of Hiram City was unveiled to players who possessed the mettle to tackle the dungeon’s new Hard Mode.

It’s Time for a New Season of ArchePass!

Looking ahead to 2020, Gamigo has some exciting plans for ArcheAge’s next season of ArchePass. Here’s what you can expect to find in the new Pass Season.

ArchePass Premium

• Fae Yata Chroma
• Dogeza Bow Emote

Vocation ArchePass

• Rabbit’s Foot Uniform (Grand Prize)

Equipment ArchePass

• Fae Greenman Chroma (Premium only)
• Charming Dance Emote (Premium only)
• Baby Penguin (Grand Prize)
• …and more!

Combat ArchePass

• Blooming Spring Cow Chroma (Premium only)
• Elegant Dance Emote (Premium only)
• Triple Engine Hot Air Balloon (Grand Prize)
• …and more!

New Quests

• Kill …  members of the Hostile Faction
• Synthesize Equipment … times
• Kill … World Bosses
• Kill … monsters
• Earn … EXP

And what New Year would be complete without a kick-off sale? The Gold and Archeum package of ArcheAge: Unchained will be 30% off on both Glyph and Steam! The sale will run between January 23 – February 23 on the Glyph Store and January 23 – January 27 in context of the Steam Lunar Sale (both sales start and end at 10 am PST). gamigo will extend the Steam sale starting on January 27 to February 10 (start and ending at 11 am PST). The sale will also be available on the ArcheAge Unchained website. More sales will follow in the coming days in the game shops of ArcheAge and ArcheAge: Unchained.

We’ve got loads more planned for the year ahead, so stay tuned and keep an eye on all your favorite gaming sites, as big things are in store for ArcheAge this year!