Steven MessnerToday at 4:37 PM
Hi Yukisho, my name is Steven and I'm PC Gamer's senior reporter. How's it going?

GravvyToday at 4:39 PM
I'm doing great, how are you?

Steven MessnerToday at 4:39 PM
I'm doing well! Thanks for taking the time to reply.
So listen, I'm working on an article about Lost Ark Online. I'm PC Gamer's resident MMO guy, and I'm very excited about this game. I wanted to see if you'd have some time to talk later this week (or next week) about the game?

GravvyToday at 4:41 PM
That's a possibility. However I'm sure you get this a lot. How do I know this is who you claim to be?

Steven MessnerToday at 4:41 PM
Haha, that's not a problem. If you have Twitter I can tweet you (I'm verified on Twitter) or I can shoot you an email from my PCgamer address?

GravvyToday at 4:42 PM
Twitter would be fine, i'm @therealgravvy

Steven MessnerToday at 4:43 PM
Cool, just sent you a tweet.

GravvyToday at 4:44 PM
Cool, ty
Yeah I would be more than happy to discuss the game at some time this or next week. The holiday is busy but this weekend would be fine with me. Let know me where you stand and we can work it out.

Steven MessnerToday at 4:46 PM
Sure, it'll be the same for me so no rush. I'm currently just going through the process of actually getting into the game and everything, so maybe early next week would be best--that way I'll have time to play and everything.
Are you busy Monday?

GravvyToday at 4:47 PM
Only between the hours of 4am and 5pm for work.
mst that is

Steven MessnerToday at 4:47 PM
Oh cool, I'm the same time zone.
Are you busy at those times each day that week?

GravvyToday at 4:49 PM
Unfortunately yeah. if that doesn't work, i do however have a very knowledgeable staff that would most likely be more than happy to answer questions as well.

Steven MessnerToday at 4:50 PM
Ok cool! Yeah it's mostly just talking to someone who knows the game well and can speak to why it's so popular.
Quick question though: Is the game still accessible to those outside Korea using a VPN?

GravvyToday at 4:51 PM
Very much so. However I would strongly advise against using mudfish as their nodes have for the most part been banned. I would suggest either ExitLag or NoPing

Steven MessnerToday at 4:51 PM
Yeah, I've signed up with Exitlag

GravvyToday at 4:51 PM
Both of which give around a 150ms ping which is very playable.

Steven MessnerToday at 4:51 PM
I bought an account from NewGameWay and just sprung for one that has 30+ days of re-verify protection, so hopefully it all works out.

GravvyToday at 4:52 PM
Another piece of advise, translate whatever name you'll use into Korean. As the Korean playerbase reports anyone with a non-Korean name as well as those who chat in anything but Korean.

Steven MessnerToday at 4:53 PM
Haha, right. I figured that would be the case.
If you have any other tips, that'd be very helpful but I don't want to take up too much of your time.

GravvyToday at 4:53 PM
We do have LFG channels on our discord so if you are looking to get a feel for the group and dungeon experiences, those are definitely a great source for that.

Steven MessnerToday at 4:53 PM
Awesome, will do!

GravvyToday at 4:55 PM
One thing I would love to request is that you please refrain from directly mentioning folks by any of their online aliases. If you do there is a large chance they could get their accounts banned form the game and I'd really hate to see that.
Steven MessnerToday at 4:55 PM

Yes, absolutely.
My goal in writing this is, assuming it's as good as everyone says it is, to merely draw more attention in hopes that Smilegate considers a western release. The last thing I'd want to do is harm this community in any way :smiley:

GravvyToday at 4:57 PM
I agree. And actually you may not know this but they have stated officially they will next be focusing on the western market due to the game licensing cutoff in China.

Steven MessnerToday at 4:58 PM
Ooooh, that's good news. I had looked around a few days ago but all I saw was a few articles on reddit which people were saying didn't actually quote a source on any plans for a Western release.
Fingers crossed it won't take 5 years though, haha.

GravvyToday at 4:58 PM
There is also a team working on an English translation of the game which Smilegate will most likely take for themselves and use which would significantly decrease port time.

Steven MessnerToday at 4:58 PM
That'd be cool
Unfortunately I just had something come up and I have to run. If there's anything else I should know feel free to just message me and I'll get back to you later. And tomorrow I'll message you and we can lock down a time to chat when you're free. Thanks so much for being helpful.

GravvyToday at 4:59 PM
But yeah, if you have any questions on the game to where you'd like a direct answer that are outside of the discussion we'll have, feel free to ask in the channels we have. We have a very passionate community that exploded literally over night from 5k members to around 17k. They re super happy to help everyone.