On August 12 (local time), developer and publisher Amazon Games announced it would relinquish the publishing and operational rights to two major online games, "Lost Ark" and "Throne and Liberty." Subsequently, operational control will be returned to the respective copyright-holding developers.
The operational handover for "Throne and Liberty" is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. Officials stated they will ensure a smooth and thorough transfer of game data and operational materials to minimize any impact on players.
"Lost Ark" is scheduled to have its operational rights handed over in early 2027, with developer Smilegate continuing to operate the game.
· Amazon Games has recently struggled with its operations. Last October, its parent company, Amazon, announced massive layoffs affecting 14,000 employees, which significantly impacted Amazon Games. The studio has been active lately, with several titles, including "The Lord of the Rings Online," having their development terminated.
