Amazon Game Studios Ends Control of Lost Ark & Throne

Amazon Game Studios is stepping back from managing two of its biggest MMORPGs—Lost Ark and Throne and Liberty—handing full control to their original development teams and publishers. The transition is staged over time, with Throne and Liberty moving first and Lost Ark following in 2027, signaling a broader shift away from Amazon’s MMO ambitions.

Key takeaways

Amazon Game Studios is ending its management involvement for the MMORPGs Lost Ark and Throne and Liberty.
Throne and Liberty will be fully handled in the West by FirstSpark Games (development) and NC (publishing) starting later this year.
Lost Ark will shift to Smilegate’s full management in Western regions at the start of 2027.
The change is not immediate, but Amazon says it wants both games to continue with creative freedom and expansion plans outside its control.
Amazon’s current focus is shifting toward established IPs like Tomb Raider and The Lord of the Rings.

Throne and Liberty moves to a new management structure

Starting at the end of this year, Throne and Liberty will be managed fully by FirstSpark Games (as the developer) and NC (as the publisher) for Western markets. That includes support across console platforms, specifically PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Amazon Game Studios framed the move as a positive outcome for players and the community, emphasizing that returning the games to their creators allows for more creative freedom. In a joint official statement, the company said it is “excited” about the games’ future and that the result is beneficial for the community because the titles are being put back in the hands of their developers.

Lost Ark’s transition timeline and regional coverage

Lost Ark, originally released in 2022 on PC, is also leaving Amazon’s management. Amazon confirmed that it will stop operating the game’s management in the West, with the responsibility transferring to Smilegate at the beginning of 2027.

Amazon also indicated that it is aligning its direction away from large live-service MMO operations. It previously announced that New World would stop being available on January 31, 2027, and the company has not shared new updates about that title during the current year—though the game remains playable for now.

What Amazon is focusing on next

With the MMO portfolio shrinking, Amazon Game Studios says it will not retain any MMO after New World’s availability ends and after the Lost Ark and Throne and Liberty management transitions. The company’s stated strategy is to consolidate around established intellectual properties rather than running major MMO live services.

Looking ahead, Amazon is focused on projects tied to recognizable franchises, including new Tomb Raider games—Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and Tomb Raider Catalyst—featuring Lara Croft. It is also working to expand The Lord of the Rings, including a planned experience set in Middle-earth.