NCSoft to Launch ‘Lineage Classic’ With Subscription Model in February (Image courtesy of NCSoft)
SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean game developer NCSoft has unveiled Lineage Classic, a revival of the early-2000s version of its long-running flagship franchise, and opened advance registrations ahead of its February launch.
The company said Friday that the PC-based title will begin free pre-service on Feb. 7 in South Korea and Taiwan, before transitioning to a subscription model on Feb. 11. Monthly access will be priced at 29,700 won (about $22), with pre-downloads available starting Jan. 7.
Lineage Classic recreates the formative era of the original Lineage, which has been in service since 1998, featuring four core character classes — prince, knight, elf and wizard — along with early-game regions such as Talking Island, Dragon Valley and Giran. The game also retains the interface and mechanics familiar to longtime fans of the franchise.
NCSoft said it plans to expand the classic experience by adding core Lineage intellectual property elements, while also introducing new storylines and original content developed exclusively for the Classic edition.
The newly launched brand website offers artwork and promotional videos, with gameplay screenshots and the soundtrack scheduled for release later this week. Players who pre-register will receive in-game rewards, including a choice between two early weapons and additional items designed to support character progression.
The release underscores NCSoft’s strategy of leveraging nostalgia-driven demand while refreshing its legacy titles with selective new content, as competition intensifies in the global PC and online role-playing game market.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
