A Brief History of Lost Ark – The Ambitious Action RPG Taking the World by Storm
Lost Ark is an ambitious free-to-play MMORPG three years in the making. First released in South Korea back in 2019 by developers Smilegate RPG, Lost Ark quickly garnered praise as the "Korean Diablo" for its fast-paced combat, eye-popping visuals, and expansive world brimming with mythology and supernatural forces.
Powered by the Unreal Engine, Lost Ark sports cutting-edge graphics with sweeping vistas and highly-detailed character models. Beyond the polished visual presentation, players can explore a sprawling world across seven distinct continents. From frosty mountain peaks to arid deserts and tropical beaches, Lost Ark’s diverse biomes each have their own stories and questlines.
But the stars of the show are the game‘s fifteen unique classes. Ranging from magic-wielding sorceresses and shadowy assassins to warrior knights clad in heavy armor, each class provides wholly different playstyles to accommodate any RPG fan. You can dodge and dash through enemies as an agile martial artist or stand firm as a stalwart gunlancer soaked in firepower. Every class brings distinct skills and combat mechanics to the table.
Couple this diversity with collectible cards to augment skills, upgradable gear, sailing/warship systems, crafting, housing, mini-games, boss raids and more and you have an absolutely packed product brimming with stuff to do.
In February 2022, Lost Ark finally arrived in North America and Europe after extensive localization. In its first month, the game soared to over 4.7 million players on Steam alone and continues going strong with overwhelmingly positive reviews. Critic praise and fan reception likewise laud Lost Ark for its refined action combat, visual spectacle, and mountains of content.
Below we‘ll explore the unofficial Discord server that has emerged as the bustling online hub for this rapidly growing Lost Ark community.
Does Lost Ark Have an Official Discord Server? Exploring the Active Fan-Run Channels
As covered in the introduction, Lost Ark still lacks an official Discord channel as of mid-2022, over three years after the game originally launched in South Korea.
Back in November 2021, the Lost Ark Twitter account stated that an official Discord would arrive closer to Western release. However, these plans evidently fell through.
For now, publisher Amazon Games‘ Discord server remains the only official-adjacent place for fans. However, Lost Ark enthusiasts have taken community building into their own hands through the unofficial Lost Ark Discord server, found at https://discord.gg/lostark.
With close to 400,000 members, this fan-run Discord stands as the Internet‘s largest gathering place for Lost Ark aficionados. Thousands come together every day to chat about builds, set up groups, ask questions, share creations, and theorize about the game‘s intricate lore.
Channel topics span class discussions, guild recruitment, spoiler theories, memes, community competitions, and general conversations in multiple languages. Voice channels let groups coordinate verbally for challenging raid bosses or PVP battles.
Meanwhile, the latest news and updates get shared across social media channels. Compared to the publisher Discord, this unofficial server provides a much more focused, Lost Ark-centric experience. Fans essentially built the premier online hub that the developers themselves have yet to create.
So why has the official Discord been delayed for so long? Potential reasons include:
- Prioritizing bug fixes and launch issues over community features
- Lacking experience building Western-focused Discord channels
- Struggling to moderate massive overseas playerbases
- Deferring to third-party platforms rather than dividing staff
Regardless, the unofficial Lost Ark Discord has organically risen as a fully-featured gathering place for new players and veterans alike. But even pirates must follow a code on these rough seas. Let‘s review the rules that keep the ship afloat.
The Unofficial Server Rules – Best Practices for Keeping the Peace
A community comprised of nearly 400,000 members faces threats both monstrous and benign. From raids by enemy fleets to rowdy crews shouting sea shanties at 3 AM, maintaining order remains imperative.
As such the Lost Ark Discord admins enforce the following charter:
1. Foster a Friendly and Positive Community
- No toxicity – Raging, harassment, discrimination, or targeted negativity poisons waters for everyone
- Constructive criticism – Feedback and debates are welcome, but stay thoughtful in discussions
- Assume good faith – Give fellow crewmates the benefit of the doubt in misunderstandings
2. Focus Conversations on Lost Ark
- Stay on topic – Discussions should tie clearly to Lost Ark or its community
- Check channel topics if you drift off course
3. Use Language Responsibly
- Avoid extreme profanity – Light swearing/slang is fine, but don‘t overdo it
- No hate speech – Zero tolerance for language attacking protected groups
4. Respect Users and Staff
- No impersonation – Never pretend to be Lost Ark staff or known community members
- No pinging outside channels – Contacting @Staff unprompted risks distracting crucial duties
5. Contribute Valuably
- No spam – Repeated unwanted messages clutter communication
- No self-promotion – Sharing content and groups is fine, but avoid repeatedly plugging yourself
- No NSFW material – Keep content rated T for Teen at worst
The above core rules aim to facilitate constructive interactions focused on enjoying Lost Ark together. By reporting disruptive behavior to moderators and avoiding these missteps yourself, the sailing stays smooth.
Certain channels like #venting do permit some exception, but common sense goes a long way. Ultimately, the server runs most effectively when people assume good intentions until proven otherwise.
Next we‘ll cover how to install Lost Ark yourself so you can dive into the game these fans are so passionate about!
Downloading & Running Lost Ark on Steam – Let the Adventure Begin
Eager to embark on your own Lost Ark legend? Follow these steps to get the game running for free via Steam:
Step 1) Download Steam
- Desktop client required for installation
- Web version lets you browse only
Step 2) Create a Free Account
- Sign up for a Steam account if you lack one
- Manage preferences via Steam settings
Step 3) Install "Lost Ark"
- Search "Lost Ark" in the Steam search bar
- Click "Play Game" on the store page
- Click "Next" then "Install" to add it
Step 4) Let the Download Commence!
- Install size approximates 65-100+ GB
- SSD drives download/run faster
- Connection speed impacts speed
Once finished, double click Lost Ark in your Steam library to launch the game! Upon your first login you can customize graphics, master keybindings, and tailor options to your setup.
Please note: Lost Ark remains unavailable in some regions until further notice. If Lost Ark displays restrictions in your Steam region, you‘ll need to wait for launch. Publishers roll out globally over time per contracts.
With the installation covered, let‘s prep your PC for smooth sailing!
Lost Ark PC Requirements
Lost Ark sports some intense graphical flourishes that demand a powerful modern rig, especially at higher resolutions and settings. Before hopping in, ensure your system meets or exceeds these specs:
Minimum Requirements:
- CPU: Intel i3 or AMD Ryzen 3
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 460 or AMD Radeon 6850
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: 50 GB
Recommended Specifications:
- CPU: Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5
- GPU: Nvidia 960 or AMD Radeon 7970
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 50 GB SSD
Note that reaching 60 FPS at max settings in busy moments requires an even beefier computer, perhaps with an Nvidia RTX 2060 or Radeon 5700 XT. Adjust graphics down as needed if combat bogs down.
Let‘s recap the key points covered so far…
Lost Ark Discord Guide Recap
- No Official Discord Yet – Publishers haven‘t launched 1st party server
- Unofficial Server Thrives – 400,000 fans strong and growing daily
- Topics Span All Facets – Classes, guides, lore, recruitment, media, and more
- Rules Maintain Constructivity – Be responsible, friendly, and on-topic
- Download via Steam – Follow guide to install for free
Now let‘s meet some leading community figures that dominate Lost Ark conversations…
Popular Lost Ark Content Creators to Follow
Beyond the raw discussions and coordination in the general Lost Ark Discord server, a cottage industry of YouTubers, streamers, and writers has emerged to teach newcomers the ropes.
Below we’ll highlight top fan content creators worth checking out as you dive into Arkesia:
Saintone
If you only follow one Lost Ark personality, Saintone stands among the most knowledgeable and influential voices. Both an avid player and translator for Korean sources, Saintone shares guides analyzing systems, classes, upcoming content, and more news than anyone.
He also runs the Saintone Discord full of dedicated fans. Definitely check out his YouTube channel and streams to learn directly from the master himself!
Stoopzz
For entertaining streams and videos, Stoopzz offers plenty of laughs alongside nuanced takes on classes, mechanics, monetization comparisons and all facets of Lost Ark.
As both a top player and commentator, his perspectives carry weight. You’ll find great Twitch clips and YouTube videos diving into all things Arkesia while keeping the mood light.
ZealsAmbition
Boasting hundreds of guides on his growing channel, ZealsAmbitions produces some of the most informative Lost Ark content around. From gearing explained to skill point allocation to island walkthroughs, his videos serve as an expansive tutorial for confused newcomers.
Additionally, his own Discord group arranges learning raids and mythic dungeons. Subscribe to Zeals on YouTube for explanations on all mechanics.
Between Lost Ark’s official news plus the above creators and communities, no traveler will feel lost at sea. Now let’s recap key beginner tips for setting sail.
Lost Ark Beginner Tips – Prepare for Adventure!
Before embarking on your magical journey, keep these tips in mind:
- Pick weapons first – Classes determine playstyle more than archetype choices
- Read all tutorials – Many mechanics go unexplained otherwise
- Enable Area Chat – Great for questions and friends while exploring
- Join a guild ASAP – Unlocks daily rewards and raid opportunities
- Experiment with classes – Feel free swapping below level 10 via Training tab
- Disable area effects – Cleans up visual clutter in busy moments
- Play all mini-games – Fun digressions that offer materials as prizes
Finally a few links to additional Lost Ark Discord groups worth joining:
So ends our epic tour through Lost Ark’s unofficial official online hub! This guide illuminated everything from the game’s specs and rules to top content creators worth following across YouTube, Twitch and beyond. Here’s hoping an official Discord server launches soon. But until then, the existing fan community has built an incredibly robust home port filled with fellow adventurers.
Now quit reading and start playing! Just mind the tides and temper — Arkesia’s oceans can be treacherous…
