Amazon Games' New World is returning to an open beta phase three years after its original launch. Running from September 13th to September 16th, this beta is a puzzling move for many, as New World officially released in September 2021. Why the sudden return to beta? The answer lies in the game's significant update and rebranding under a new title—New World Aeternum.
This move is part of Amazon's strategy to reinvigorate the game, especially with its planned release for consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. But what exactly is New World: Aeternum? Why does it need a beta? And is this a new game, or just another update for existing players? Today with
MMOJUGG, Let's dive into all the details.
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What is New World: Aeternum?
Amazon Games frames New World: Aeternum as a reimagined version of the original game, marketed as an action RPG rather than a strict MMORPG. With full crossplay support, the game will launch on October 15th, 2024, for PC, Xbox, and PS5(I think crossplay is what AGS keeps focusing on). This release signals a major effort to broaden New World's reach by attracting console players, a group that typically leans toward action RPGs rather than traditional MMOs.
While many elements of the original New World remain intact, Aeternum adds several new features and gameplay mechanics to create a more refined and diverse experience. However, despite the marketing push, this is a substantial update to the base game rather than a brand-new title.
Key Features of New World Aeternum
New World: Aeternum introduces a variety of new content, features, and quality-of-life improvements. Here's a breakdown of what to expect:
1. Solo and Co-op Play
One of the key marketing points is that Aeternum can be played solo or co-op. While this is a new feature, solo play has been possible in New World since early 2022. The developers changed dungeons (called expeditions in New World) and boss encounters, allowing players to complete these once-group-required tasks solo through the introduction of Soul Trials, essentially solo versions of group content.
In Aeternum, this solo experience will be expanded, but the game will still offer plenty of co-op content for those who prefer playing with friends. The emphasis on solo play seems tailored to appeal to console players who may not be familiar with or prefer the large-scale cooperative nature of MMOs.
2. New Endgame Content
Amazon is adding substantial new endgame content with Aeternum:
10-Player Raid: A new raid featuring three different bosses will be introduced, designed for players looking for high-level, coordinated challenges.
PvP Lawless Zone: A dedicated zone where players can engage in unrestricted PvP battles. This lawless area will likely appeal to players seeking high-risk, high-reward gameplay.
Repeatable Endgame Solo Boss Fights: Known as Soul Trials, these solo boss encounters will now be scaled up for endgame players at max level, adding more depth to the solo PvE experience.
3. Gear Score and Level Cap Increase
The maximum gear score will be increased to 725 to accommodate the new content, and the level cap will be raised from 60 to 65. This provides both veteran players and newcomers with new goals and progression opportunities.
4. Swimming (Finally!)
One of the most requested features—swimming—is finally being added. While this might seem like a minor addition, its absence was a frequent point of frustration for players navigating the New World's large, water-filled world.I still remember how exciting it was when the mount system was shown in the New World.
5. Fresh Start Servers
For those who prefer to begin the game anew, Amazon will introduce Fresh Start Servers. These servers will be locked from character transfers, ensuring all players start on equal footing. Legacy characters from older servers cannot transfer in, so everyone begins with nothing—no gold, no resources, no pre-existing control of zones—giving new and returning players a fresh experience without feeling left behind.
Why Call It a Beta?
The decision to call this a “beta” instead of just an update or expansion has left many players scratching their heads. Here's why Amazon might be choosing this unusual approach:
1. Rebranding and Marketing
The term “beta” carries an implication of something new, fresh, and exciting—terms that Amazon wants to associate with New World: Aeternum, especially for the console market. Releasing a “beta” makes Aeternum feel like a distinct entity from the original New World, especially since numerous bugs, exploits, and content shortages marred the original release. This allows Amazon to distance Aeternum from the negative perceptions surrounding the 2021 launch.
2. Console Appeal
New World: Aeternum is positioned as an action RPG to appeal to console gamers, who are generally more familiar with the genre than traditional MMORPGs. By introducing Aeternum with a beta, Amazon can gauge interest from this new audience while also offering a glimpse into the first 30 levels of gameplay—considered by many to be the most enjoyable portion of the game.
3. Hooking New Players
The beta only runs for three days, from September 13th to 16th, and caps players at level 30. This limited-time event is likely a strategic move to give players enough gameplay to “hook” them into pre-ordering the entire game. There's also an exclusive skin reward for players who reach level 25 during the beta, adding further incentive.
Is Aeternum a New Game?
Despite the rebranding and beta, Aeternum is fundamentally not a new game—it's an update to New World. PC players who already own the base game will receive the Aeternum content as a free update on October 15th, and their existing characters will carry over. While Aeternum introduces exciting new content, the game's core remains unchanged.
Community Concerns and Skepticism
Not all players are on board with Aeternum. Many in the community see the rebranding as a cash grab, especially with the new $60 price tag for console players and the Deluxe Edition priced at $80. Some players fear that this is part of Amazon's broader plan to extract as much revenue as possible before gradually pulling development resources away from the game.
New World's troubled history fuels these concerns. The game's original launch was marred by technical issues, bugs, and a lack of endgame content, causing many players to abandon the game within the first few months. While New World has improved significantly with numerous updates and expansions, trust issues remain within the community.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
From a console player's perspective, New World: Aeternum offers an opportunity to experience a game in much better shape than at launch. The game has seen significant improvements, including mounts, new zones, new weapons, better questing, and other quality-of-life changes. For PC players, this is essentially another update, albeit a major one, that adds new content and opportunities for progression.
Ultimately, the success of New World: Aeternum will hinge on how well Amazon manages to capture a new audience while addressing the concerns of its existing player base. The fresh start servers and new endgame content incentivize veterans to return, while the console release could breathe new life into the game.
A Make or Break Moment?
Amazon's decision to bring New World back into a beta phase and rebrand it as Aeternum is a bold move highlighting the company's ambitions and attempts to reshape the game's future. Whether this will be the rebirth the game needs or just another chapter in its troubled history remains to be seen. The upcoming beta provides a window into what New World: Aeternum could become, both for console players and its long-time PC fanbase.
Will Aeternum revitalize New World, or will it be a final push before the game fades away? Only time will tell, but for now, there's plenty to be excited about for those willing to dive back into Aeternum.