Lost Ark, which has felt rather lethargic this year, is looking positively knackered despite the prime summer season. This time last year, it was a titan firmly entrenched in the Top 5, but this summer, even with major updates, it has failed to break back in. To make matters worse, Mabinogi Mobile has emerged as an unexpected powerhouse, closing in for a back attack. In Lost Ark, a back attack is a dealer’s bread and butter, but in this popularity race, the game has become the target itself.

Lost Ark’s public perception soured back in mid-June due to gold inflation, plummeting to 12th place—its lowest rank in four years. After a brief morale boost from the 'LOA ON' summer roadmap reveal and a temporary return to the Top 5 following the 'Valkyrie' class update, the momentum stalled. This week, it has slipped another two spots, landing in 8th.

On the 9th, the developers introduced 'Thaemine Extreme', a simplified take on the notoriously difficult 'Legion Raid: Thaemine' specifically for the final gate. While the intent—to let players who gave up on Thaemine experience the fight—was noble, it felt like a recycled effort rather than fresh content. Veterans found little to engage with, and the update did nothing to silence long-standing grumbles about class imbalance.

Meanwhile, Mabinogi Mobile kicked off its summer event on the 17th, featuring a seaside resort in Colhen. The result? A two-spot climb that puts it right on the heels of the faltering Lost Ark. If it loses this ground, Lost Ark risks slipping to 3rd place in the MMO hierarchy behind MapleStory. The silver lining for Lost Ark is that, unlike the leisurely update cadence of Mabinogi Mobile, it has a packed schedule of content coming through September.

Aion is one of this week’s biggest climbers, vaulting six places to land at 15th. Digging into the metrics, search volume and streaming viewership are up—usually a sign of renewed interest—but the situation isn't quite as rosy as it seems. It turns out the interest isn't really for the live game.

First, there is the anticipation for the sequel, Aion 2. Buzz from the small-scale FGT held back in June continues to circulate in streaming circles. Second, there is the Chinese server. With interest in the domestic version waning, more players are turning to guides on how to access the Chinese servers or watching streamers play there. Despite the hurdles of VPNs and convoluted payment methods, players claim it is a decent, low-cost alternative. The domestic version desperately needs a reason for players to return home.

In the mid-tier, Diablo 4 has suffered a two-week slide, ending up at 22nd. The drop is significant, especially so early in the season. While the nerf to overpower damage has diversified the meta and the season's core 'Horadric Orders' are interesting, players are complaining of fatigue due to a lack of meaningful end-game content.

Down in the lower ranks, Final Fantasy 14 has made a return to the 40th spot after four weeks. PC bang traffic is noticeably up, likely thanks to an event started on the 15th that doubles points for costumes, music scores, and emotes to coincide with the new update. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in Korea, Final Fantasy 14 continues to hold its ground as one of the few subscription-based MMORPGs alongside World of Warcraft.