The MMORPG Daily Drop - Your Daily MMORPG News Recap
Today’s MMORPG news features several major updates across new and classic titles. Lost Ark sets a date for its highly anticipated Paradise progression system, Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen delivers its most challenging boss encounter yet, and EverQuest emulator Project Quarm returns under an official—but restricted—agreement with Daybreak. Meanwhile, Mortal Online 2 launches its Reckoning expansion, MapleStory teams up with Dave the Diver, and New World releases speedrun stats from Hardcore Mode.
Lost Ark Confirms July 23 Release for Paradise Progression System
Smilegate has revealed that Lost Ark’s next major update will drop on July 23, introducing the long-awaited Paradise progression system. Designed to provide a constant and rewarding pathway outside traditional progression events, Paradise includes three new interconnected activities:
- Elysian – Wave-based combat challenges
- Crucible – 1v1 boss battles that award keys
- Hell – A 100-floor roguelike dungeon unlocked via Crucible keys
Also arriving with the update is Solo Mode Aegir, a more accessible version of the Aegir boss fight tailored for casual players. Other additions include streamlined Una’s Tasks, a revamped Party Finder, crafting improvements, new hairstyles, and returning events like the Maharaka Festival and Mokoko Bootcamp. The Valkyrie advanced class will follow in August.
Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen Wraps Ashbreathers Questline With Final Multi-Group Boss
Visionary Realms has launched the second part of its Ashbreathers update, bringing a dramatic conclusion to the zone’s questline and unleashing what the studio calls the toughest encounter in the game. The new fight is tuned for multiple groups and rewards coordinated play.
Patch 0.16.867 also overhauls item stats, with major changes to shields, weapon damage, and neck slot gear. Mana regeneration is now unified across in- and out-of-combat states, and the Monk and Ranger classes received level 40 skill expansions. Updates to the Perception system, gathering animations, and crafting visuals round out the patch.
Mortal Online 2 Reckoning Expansion Brings Combat and Territory Control Overhauls
Reckoning update (v2.2.0.0) is now live for Mortal Online 2, introducing:
- A new combat ability system tied to a stamina-like Adrenaline resource
- Massive invasion events led by insectoid Tagmaton enemies
- A revamped territory control system, allowing guilds to claim and siege zones
The update also includes a warning to legacy players: old Territory Control structures may decay without manual removal due to map adjustments. Contacting a GM before July 30 is advised.
EverQuest Emulator Project Quarm Returns Under Official Daybreak Agreement
Project Quarm, one of the EverQuest emulators that shut down following legal action against The Heroes Journey, is officially returning after reaching an agreement with Daybreak Games. Quarm now operates as a non-commercial, not-for-profit fan server, similar to Project 1999.
Under the deal, the server is capped at 1200 players, and several custom zones and features had to be removed. Offline Bazaar trading and progression to the Luclin expansion have been approved. The move legitimizes Quarm, but not without sparking debate from the broader emulation community.
Ethyrial Adds Epic Mama Bear Boss and Expands Trade Systems
Classic-style MMORPG Ethyrial: Echoes of Yore has launched a patch featuring a new level 30 boss named Mama Bear, offering Manafused gear, themed cosmetics, and a lightning-resistant cloak. New Trading NPCs have been placed in key cities to make profession turn-ins and Trade Pack rewards more accessible.
Other updates include bug fixes, tutorial improvements, new spawn locations (including King Crab), and better-equipped starter characters. Mac and Linux support is arriving shortly.
MapleStory x Dave the Diver Collaboration Kicks Off
Nexon’s MapleStory has launched its Dave the Diver collaboration event, running through August 29. Players level 101 and above can participate in ocean diving and sushi-making minigames inspired by Dave the Diver.
Completing missions earns Diver Tokens, which can be exchanged for themed cosmetics and chairs like the Revolving Sushi Chair. The update also includes new Mastery nodes, balance adjustments, and event-specific rewards.
RavenQuest Refines Archetypes and PvP Systems Ahead of Expansion
The latest RavenQuest update (v1.0.9.7) focuses on PvP balance and archetype tuning ahead of the upcoming Treasures Below expansion. Highlights include: Enhanced tanking identity for the Protection Archetype, Faster Quick Fire for Archery builds, Adjusted PvP infamy penalties, Reduced crafting labor costs and tuned resource mechanics
This patch pushes further polish while the team builds momentum toward the next major content drop.
New World Hardcore Stats: 42 Minutes to Cap Without Dying
Amazon has released infographic stats from New World: Aeternum’s Hardcore mode event, and the results are wild:
- Fastest deathless cap: 42 minutes
- Fastest with deaths: 35 minutes
- First full Gorgon raid clear: 181 minutes
- Only 434 players completed all 12 seasonal challenges
- Average time spent: 8 hours per player
Despite praise for the mode, these low retention numbers likely contributed to Amazon’s decision to sunset the seasonal server experiment.
