What The Recent New World: Aeternum Beta Means For The Future Of The Game

I enjoy playing New World. That's not a popular opinion these days, as cries of "dead game" echo across the internet, but it's true. The combat, sound design, visuals, and systems all make for an MMORPG that brings to life many of the aspects I enjoy about the genre.

But with the New World: Aeternum rebrand and relaunch looming, many have questions as to what exactly is going on in the game, and what the future holds for a title that launched to a huge reception, only to see those player numbers dwindle over the next three years.

It's kind of hard to believe it's been three years already.

What does the future hold for New World once New World: Aeternum goes live? Can and will console players save the game? Let's take a look at the recent beta for New World: Aeternum and see if we can find some answers.

We'll start with the burning question on everyone's mind. Will console players be interested in New World: Aeternum? Judging by the amount of players in the beta, I'd say definitely yes. Sure, not everyone that was in the beta will convert into a paying customer, but the servers were flush with new and returning players anxious to take a look at the changes coming to the game. The starter zones were packed, cities were bustling, and there was no shortage of chat going on about the game. Chat tags made it easy to see what platform players were playing on, and there were tons of console players about.

Perhaps surprising to some, was the overwhelmingly positive response New World: Aeternum was getting in chat from both console and PC players. The vast majority of players seemed to be having a great time and the game really shined in that respect. Amazon Games Studio has spent quite a bit of time over the past year or two revamping the leveling in the New World: Aeternum, adding to that all new cutscenes and dialogue during the beta to guide players along their adventures. It made for a fantastic experience to level 30. That was the cap for the beta however, and we'll have to wait and see what the post-30 to level cap experience is like once the game goes live, but for now, it was a showcase of all the positives New World has to offer.

So it looks like the console launch should bring in those fresh new players AGS is looking for. The leveling experience is vastly improved from the original launch of New World. But how long will they stay? That becomes the real question.

With all this time spent revamping the new player and leveling experience, AGS has sort of dropped the ball when it comes to end-game activities. PTR players continue to beg for a new map, raiders want new content that is relevant and drops useful gear, while others want open-world content that can keep them engaged.

While the Rise of the Angry Earth expansion did bring a gorgeous new zone and much-needed mounts, the actual questing content was quite lacking and could be completed in 45 minutes. Compare that to something like the phenomenal new expansion Janthir Wilds in Guild Wars 2, where there are hours upon hours of things to do in the new zones, and you can see how players just don't stick around for very long despite enjoying the game. Hell, despite my love for the game I haven't really played in months at this point simply because I'm tired of the same ol' same ol' end-game.

AGS has released new dungeons here and there, and a new raid is in the works, but the content cadence just hasn't kept up with player demands.

Here's where my hopium kicks in. With the new player and leveling systems now improved (and quite good), will Amazon Games Studio be able to pull the same thing off with their end-game content? I certainly hope so. To me, they've proven they can improve the game significantly. Now they need to do the same thing for players who have been around and already proven they are willing to play New World: Aeternum.

I would like to welcome console players to New World: Aetermum starting October 15th. Your presence is much appreciated. I would also like to deliver to those console players this message: AGS has made great strides with their leveling content over the past few years, and it gives me hope that they can do the same when it comes to keeping you around for the long term.

Whatever the long-term future holds for New World: Aeternum is still unclear, but what the short-term future holds is a rejuvenation for a game that deserves it. It's up to AGS to keep heading in the right direction and make sure their focus is in the right place going forward.