Throne and Liberty’s player housing opens the MMO up to a whole new audience

Amazon Games MMORPG Throne and Liberty has a lot going for it if you’re into grand-scale combat and intense PvP, but its next update aims to dramatically widen its appeal. Solisium’s Awakening introduces more ‘lifestyle content’ to the free-to-play MMO, including a player housing system that could pose some serious competition to heavy hitters like FF14 and World of Warcraft. It’s also adding a unique new support weapon, a highly requested multiplayer mode, improved PvE dungeon rewards, and a feature to help newcomers catch up to the crowd more easily. Ahead of its launch, PCGamesN spoke to globalization design manager Tico to get a closer look at what we can expect.

Final Fantasy 14 has long been the gold standard for player housing among the best MMORPGs, but Blizzard is finally preparing to deliver WoW’s own offering, and it looks like it might have the edge. Throne and Liberty, however, could be the dark horse in the race. Tico tells me via email that the team is “really excited” about its new swathe of ‘lifestyle content.’ Gathering is being overhauled with fresh progression, and will align with a new Handicrafting job that’s used to make all manner of furniture and decorations for the free Steam game‘s incoming homes.

“Housing in Throne and Liberty is designed to feel integrated into the world,” Tico explains. Houses are located within existing towns, and you enter by going to the location where you chose to purchase it. The actual houses are instanced, but when you’re inside you’ll still see the surrounding scenery and backdrop of your chosen neighborhood. “Love the hustle and bustle of markets and ocean views? Kastleton’s your spot. Prefer dramatic, cliff-side terrain? Vienta Village has that covered. We wanted players to feel like they’re truly part of these living communities.”

Tico stresses that the team “really wanted housing to offer a different pace from Throne and Liberty’s intense combat.” As such, the vast majority of materials needed to create the various furniture, wallpaper, decorations, shelves, and so on are earned through lifestyle skills rather than by fighting. “Sure, there might be a few rare materials that require some adventure, but for the most part, players can fully enjoy housing without constantly engaging in combat.

“We love the idea of players having this cozy alternative,” Tico explains, “a chance to slow down and create something beautiful while taking a breather from all the action.” As the homeowner, you’re free to choose who’s able to come into your abode, whether it be guild members, your friends list, or specifically invited players. Amazon Games even teases that you’ll be able to own multiple houses in different locations as you build your status.

The housing is so beautiful, and offers such impressive depth of player customization, that I can see it appealing to people who might not even have much interest in the action side of Throne and Liberty. These are gorgeous social spaces that you can build with your friends and hang out in together. Should you want to leap into the fray, however, Throne and Liberty’s new ‘hyperboost’ feature is designed as an optional, free way to speed you through the progression at a faster-than-normal pace.

“Players still go through the main story and leveling journey, so they’re learning their weapon combinations along the way,” Tico notes. “The Adventure Codex provides better rewards and high-level gear to create that ‘boost’ feeling, but you’re still experiencing the core game.” There are new ‘growth guides’ to help you through that process, and to teach you about how the endgame works while also providing extra rewards. “We think this strikes the right balance between helping players catch up and ensuring they actually know how to play the game.”

Solisium’s Awakening gives Dimensional Trials, Throne and Liberty’s co-op PvE dungeons, a notable overhaul. An affix rework ensures you’re provided with more varied and interesting challenges, forcing you to consider your build and adapt to the modifiers that are currently in play. Rewards will be more numerous and valuable, while additional inventory filters will make sorting your loot to find the best gear much smoother.

On the PvP side, the long-requested arrival of Battlegrounds is finally here, starting at 24 vs 24 but with plans to grow it over time. This will be separate from guilds, Tico says. “We’re launching with unranked mode for about a month first. Players can queue solo or in parties of up to six. You’ll choose your role when queuing (Tank, DPS, Support), since we have soft caps on each role per team.” Queue restrictions will be “a bit more restrictive” when ranked arrives, but the team wants to get feedback on the mode before locking the specifics down.

Rounding out the additions is a new support weapon, the Orb, which offers more of a focus on damage mitigation and preemptive healing tools. “When you equip the Orb, you’re managing three spheres that you can place either on the ground or on other players,” Tico describes. “These spheres can do amazing things like impact movement, amplify damage, or multiply the effects of other abilities.

“The real skill comes in learning where to place them, when to use your abilities to activate them, and how to coordinate with your team. Mastering the Orb is all about strategic sphere management.” Tico says the team’s excited to see it in players’ hands, opening the door to “new ways to influence combat flow that haven’t really existed in Throne and Liberty before. We think it’s going to create some fascinating new metas in PvP.”

The Throne and Liberty Solisium’s Awakening update launches Thursday September 18. It could spell the start of a whole second wind for the MMO, especially if you’re someone who loves building a home in games like The Sims.

Check the Throne and Liberty system requirements if you’re planning to start when the update arrives. We’ve also rounded up the best new MMOs in 2025 to ensure you don’t miss anything special.

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