Shroud explains how Lost Ark and New World both “scare people away”

Shroud’s analysis of Lost Ark and New World reveals how pay-to-win mechanics and cheating scandals drive player exodus

The Rise and Fall of Two MMORPG Titans

Streaming veteran Michael ‘shroud’ Grzesiek has pinpointed specific player-repelling elements in both Lost Ark and New World that threaten their long-term viability, despite their differing core issues.

These two massively multiplayer online role-playing games achieved extraordinary launch metrics that captured industry attention. Lost Ark’s release saw unprecedented concurrent player counts approaching historical records, coupled with dominant streaming platform viewership numbers. Meanwhile, New World’s explosive popularity overwhelmed infrastructure, leaving servers inundated for weeks as Amazon struggled to accommodate demand.

Despite these promising beginnings, neither title maintains its initial momentum. Having extensively played both games, Shroud identifies a shared vulnerability: each contains design elements that actively discourage player participation. This insight comes from hundreds of hours of gameplay experience across different patches and meta-states.

New World’s Cheating Epidemic

Shroud first addresses New World’s systemic problems, stating, “Because of all the exploits that existed and happened, nobody really wanted to play New World once they saw that everybody was cheating.” This perception of widespread unfair advantage created a fundamental trust issue within the community.

The streamer elaborates on New World’s particular crisis: “In New World, what scared people away was that everybody wasn’t playing legit. They were all exploiting and duplicating.” This duplication glitch allowed players to replicate high-value items, destroying the in-game economy and undermining progression systems that players had invested hundreds of hours developing.

For players considering New World today, several practical considerations emerge. First, research which servers have historically experienced fewer exploit incidents—some communities maintained better integrity than others. Second, understand that while Amazon has patched major exploits, the psychological impact on player trust persists. Third, evaluate whether the current player base size (averaging 20,000 concurrent players) supports your desired gameplay experience, particularly for group content.

Lost Ark’s Pay-to-Win Dilemma

Shroud draws a direct comparison to Lost Ark’s monetization challenges: “It’s kind of like Lost Ark, right? The pay-to-win elements in Lost Ark affect the game a lot. More than you think. Like, it’s still doing great, and it will continue to do great. But pay-to-win mechanics will scare people away.”

Despite maintaining stronger player numbers—averaging over 300,000 concurrent players versus New World’s 20,000—Lost Ark faces accelerating decline. Recent data shows a 30% drop in April compared to March and a 50% reduction from February peaks. This trajectory mirrors early warning signs observed in other games that failed to address monetization concerns.

Advanced players navigating Lost Ark’s systems should consider several optimization strategies. First, focus on time-efficient activities that maximize progression without monetary investment. Second, participate in community-organized events that often provide premium rewards. Third, understand the actual advantage purchased through monetization—often it’s time savings rather than absolute power, which can be mitigated through strategic gameplay.

Comparative Analysis and Future Outlook

The fundamental difference between these deterrents—exploits versus monetization—creates distinct rehabilitation challenges. Cheating scandals require technical solutions and community trust rebuilding, while pay-to-win perceptions demand structural economic redesign. Both issues, however, share the common outcome of driving away players who feel the playing field isn’t level.

Shroud’s warning carries particular weight given his prediction that Lost Ark “could have the same fate as New World if something doesn’t change in terms of its pay-to-win features.” This isn’t mere speculation but informed analysis from someone who has witnessed multiple game lifecycles and understands player psychology.

Common mistakes players make include overestimating a game’s recovery potential after major controversies and underestimating how quickly alternatives emerge in the saturated MMORPG market. Successful navigation requires monitoring developer communication patterns, patch note substance (not just frequency), and community sentiment shifts across multiple platforms.

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Practical Tips for Players

For those evaluating either game, implement a structured assessment approach. First, audit your personal tolerance for monetization systems—what constitutes acceptable pay-to-win versus deal-breaking mechanics varies significantly among players. Second, research current exploit status through community forums rather than official channels, as players often report issues more transparently. Third, consider waiting for major content updates before committing, as these often accompany systemic changes.

Advanced optimization involves understanding that time investment can often offset monetary advantages in games like Lost Ark, while in New World, selecting established servers with active moderation reduces exploit exposure. Additionally, diversifying your gaming portfolio prevents over-reliance on any single title vulnerable to these issues.

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