The global publishing rights for the MMORPG *Throne and Liberty* are being transferred from Amazon Game Studios to NC, the company formerly known as NCSoft. The transition marks a significant change in the operational management of the title’s worldwide service, which had previously been overseen by the Amazon subsidiary since its global launch.
According to an official announcement, the handover is set to take effect in the coming months. NC will assume full responsibility for the live operations, publishing infrastructure, and player support services for the game across all regions where it is currently available. Amazon Game Studios will no longer manage the title’s global distribution or community engagement efforts.
The original publishing agreement between the two companies was established in 2022, with Amazon securing the rights to bring the Korean-developed MMORPG to Western audiences. Under that arrangement, Amazon handled the game’s release in North America, Europe, South America, and other territories outside of South Korea. NCSoft, which developed the game, retained control over its domestic market operations.
*Throne and Liberty* launched globally in late 2024 to a substantial player base, drawing attention for its large-scale guild warfare, dynamic weather systems, and a transformation mechanic that allows players to shift into various creature forms. The game was positioned as a flagship title for both companies, with a focus on cross-platform play between PC and console.
The decision to shift publishing duties back to NC comes after a period of operational review. Industry observers note that the move aligns with NC’s broader strategy to consolidate control over its intellectual properties. The company has been actively restructuring its global business divisions under its new corporate identity, which was adopted earlier this year to reflect a broader scope beyond traditional PC gaming.
Amazon Game Studios, meanwhile, continues to maintain a presence in the gaming sector through other ventures. The company has invested in several publishing partnerships and original development projects, though it has also scaled back certain initiatives in recent years following mixed results in the AAA space.
For players of *Throne and Liberty*, the transition is expected to be largely seamless. NC has stated that existing player accounts, character data, progression, and in-game purchases will carry over without interruption. The company has also indicated that it will maintain the same update cadence and seasonal content roadmaps that were previously communicated to the community.
Background of the Partnership
The original partnership between NCSoft and Amazon was part of a larger trend of Korean game developers seeking Western distribution partners to navigate localisation, marketing, and regulatory challenges. Amazon’s game publishing arm had positioned itself as a viable partner for such collaborations, leveraging its cloud infrastructure and Twitch integration to support community building and live streaming awareness.
However, the operational complexities of running a live-service MMORPG across multiple time zones and platforms presented ongoing challenges. Player feedback during the initial months highlighted issues related to server stability and matchmaking, though many of these were addressed through updates and maintenance windows.
Regulatory and Market Implications
The transfer does not require new approvals from major regulatory bodies, as it does not involve a change in ownership of the game’s intellectual property. NC has always held the rights to the game itself, with Amazon operating under a licensing and services agreement. As such, the transition is a contractual reorganisation rather than an acquisition or divestiture.
Market analysts suggest that this shift could impact Amazon’s broader ambitions in the MMORPG space, as the company has been selective about which live-service titles it chooses to support. Conversely, NC’s direct involvement in global operations may allow for faster decision-making and tighter integration between development and publishing teams.
Player Support and Future Content
NC has confirmed that player support channels will be migrated to its own infrastructure, and that community events, forums, and social media accounts will be transferred to new official handles. The company has urged players to monitor official channels for detailed instructions regarding account linking and any required password resets during the migration window.
Looking ahead, the next major content update for *Throne and Liberty* is scheduled for release in the third quarter of this year. NC has stated that this update was planned in collaboration with the original development team and will proceed as scheduled under the new publishing arrangement.
The company has also signalled that it may explore new regional expansions following the transition, though no specific territories have been confirmed. Further announcements regarding the exact migration date and operational details are expected in the coming weeks.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz
