Editing Lineage (video game)

{{short description|1998 massively-multiplayer online role-playing video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Lineage
| image = Lineage cover.jpg
| developer = [[NCSoft]]
| publisher = NCSoft
| designer = Jake Song
| composer = [[Joey Newman]]
| series = ''[[Lineage (series)|Lineage]]''
| engine = 
| released = {{ubl|'''Windows'''|September 3, 1998|'''Mac OS X'''|April 11, 2002<ref>{{Cite web |last=Deniz |first=Tuncer |date=April 11, 2002 |title=''Lineage'' for Mac Goes Live |url=https://www.insidemacgames.com/historical/news/story.php%3FArticleID=5205.html |access-date=July 1, 2024 |website=[[Inside Mac Games]] |archive-date=July 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240701170744/https://www.insidemacgames.com/historical/news/story.php%3FArticleID=5205.html |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
| genre = [[Massively multiplayer online role-playing]]
| modes = [[Multiplayer video game|Multiplayer]]
| platforms = [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Mac OS X]]
}}
'''''Lineage''''' ({{langx|ko|리니지}}), also known as '''''Lineage: The Blood Pledge''''' in Western markets,<ref>{{cite web |title=Lineage: The Blood Pledge |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/23243/lineage-the-blood-pledge/ |website=MobyGames |access-date=15 June 2024 |archive-date=15 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615015636/https://www.mobygames.com/game/23243/lineage-the-blood-pledge/ |url-status=live }}</ref>  is a [[medieval fantasy]], [[MMORPG|massively multiplayer online role-playing game]] ([[MMORPG]]) released in Korea and the United States in 1998 by the [[South Korea]]n [[computer game developer]] [[NCSoft]], based on a Korean comic book series of the same name. It is the first game in the [[Lineage (series)|''Lineage'']] series. It is most popular in Korea and is available in [[Chinese language|Chinese]], [[Japanese language|Japanese]], and [[English language|English]]. The game was designed by Jake Song, who had previously designed ''[[Nexus: The Kingdom of the Winds]]'', another [[MMORPG]].

''Lineage'' features 2D isometric-overhead graphics similar to those of ''[[Ultima Online]]'' and ''[[Diablo II]]''. ''[[Lineage II|Lineage II: The Chaotic Chronicle]]'', a "prequel" set 150 years before the time of ''Lineage'', was released in 2003. By 2006, the ''Lineage'' franchise had attracted 43 million players.<ref name="forbesbestselling">{{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/2006/08/02/bestselling-video-games-cx_de_0802mario.html | title=The Best-Selling Videogame Franchises | accessdate=21 March 2009 | date=2006-08-02 | author=David M. Ewalt | work=[[Forbes]] | archive-date=2012-12-09 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20121209034141/http://www.forbes.com/2006/08/02/bestselling-video-games-cx_de_0802mario.html | url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Lineage W]]'' and ''[[Throne and Liberty]]'' are sequels set after ''Lineage'' and will be the last two games in the ''Lineage'' series.

The North American servers were shut down on June 29, 2011 by NCSoft.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/lineage-servers-shutting-down-in-the-west/1100-6313217/ |title=Lineage servers shutting down in the West |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=May 11, 2011 |accessdate=June 6, 2018 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308103237/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/lineage-servers-shutting-down-in-the-west/1100-6313217/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Gameplay==
''Lineage''{{'}}s stat, monster, and item system was originally largely borrowed from ''[[NetHack]]'' with MMO elements added.<ref>{{Cite web|title = The Game Archaeologist traces his Lineage: The highlights|url = https://www.engadget.com/2011/06/07/the-game-archaeologist-traces-his-lineage-the-highlights/|website = Engadget|accessdate = 2015-11-04|first = Justin Olivetti {{!}} {{!}} June 7th 2011 at 8:00pm June 7th 2011 8:00|last = pm|date = 8 June 2011|archive-date = 2021-03-08|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210308204648/https://www.engadget.com/2011-06-07-the-game-archaeologist-traces-his-lineage-the-highlights.html|url-status = live}}</ref>

Players can choose one of seven [[character class]]es: [[Elf]], Dark Elf, [[Knight]], [[Prince]], [[Magician (fantasy)|Magician]], Dragon Knight, or Illusionist. Princes are the only class that can lead a blood pledge (which is Lineage's term for a guild or clan).

Gameplay is based primarily upon a castle [[siege]] system which allows castle owners to set tax rates in neighboring cities and collect taxes on items purchased in stores within those cities. It features classic [[Role-playing game|RPG]] elements reminiscent of ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', such as killing monsters and completing quests for loot and [[experience points]], [[level (video game)|levels]], character attributes (charisma, strength, wisdom, etc.), and [[alignment (role-playing games)|alignments]] (neutral, chaotic or lawful). A character's alignment affects how monsters and town guards react to the player's character, often turning [[hostile]] to chaotic players and attacking on sight.

Player versus player combat (also known as PVP) is extensive in ''Lineage''. Players can engage in combat with other [[player character]]s at any time as long as they are not in safe zones such as cities. By joining a "bloodpledge" (an association of players similar to a [[clan (gaming)|clan]] in other games) players become eligible to engage in castle sieges or wars between bloodpledges.

==Development==
The title ''Lineage'' came from a series of [[comic book]]s with the same title ''Lineage'' by Shin Il-sook, and the servers of ''Lineage'' are named after the characters of the comic book. It is a fantasy story where a rightful prince reclaims the throne from the hands of a usurper. When first created, the game closely resembled the original work. As developers have added new features, however, the fictional universes of the two works have gradually diverged.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA516033.html | title = Meet the Gamers | accessdate = 2007-01-28 | last = Squire | first = Kurt | author2 = Constance Steinkuehler | date = 2005-04-15 | publisher = LibraryJournal.com | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070127065331/http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA516033.html | archivedate = 2007-01-27}}</ref>

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 65%<ref name="GRPC">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/516635-lineage-the-blood-pledge/index.html |title=Lineage: The Blood Pledge for PC |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=June 6, 2018 |archive-date=December 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209013108/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/516635-lineage-the-blood-pledge/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| MC = 59/100<ref name="MCPC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/lineage-the-blood-pledge/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Lineage: The Blood Pledge for PC Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=June 6, 2018 |archive-date=January 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250107183701/https://www.metacritic.com/game/lineage-the-blood-pledge/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

NCSoft reported that ''Lineage'' had at one point more than three million subscribers,<ref name="mmogchart">{{Cite web |url=http://www.mmogchart.com/Chart1.html |title=MMOGChart Subscribers |access-date=2007-05-17}}</ref> most of them in Korea. The magnitude of the number Korean subscribers compared to other countries has sparked a number of theories. A ban on some [[Japan]]ese imports until 1998 has been cited for delayed growth in its [[video game console]] market.

As of April 2008, ''Lineage'' had a little under 1 million active subscriptions.<ref>[http://www.ncsoft.com/eng/nccompany/ir_data_report04.asp 1Q FY2007 Earnings Release(Consolidated)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070510031759/http://www.ncsoft.com/eng/nccompany/ir_data_report04.asp |date=2007-05-10}}</ref>

In 2011, NC Interactive, the subsidiary of NCSoft in the United States began to shut down the ''Lineage'' servers (3 at that time) because of poor subscription revenues. Various events were scheduled to take place in the weeks remaining. Players were given free subscriptions to other NCSoft titles of their choice. As of June 2011, ''Lineage'' has shut down all servers in NA, permanently.

Between the start in 1998 and August 2012, NCSoft had accumulated {{US$|1.3 billion|long=no}} in sales revenue from ''Lineage''.<ref name="Lineage Oct 3 2012">{{cite web|title=K-game's spark in European market|url=http://www.dynamic-korea.com/culture/view_culture.php?uid=201200143062&main=ENT&sub=|publisher=Embassy of Republic of Korea to the United States of America|accessdate=October 3, 2012|date=August 24, 2012}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> By November 2013, the game made {{US$|1.8 billion|long=no}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/fifteen-years-in-and-lineage-has-made-the-equivalent-o-1472509844|title=Fifteen years in|last=Ashcraft|first=Brian|date=27 November 2013|work=[[Kotaku]]|publisher=[[Gawker Media]]|accessdate=2 December 2013|archive-date=27 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227045741/https://kotaku.com/fifteen-years-in-and-lineage-has-made-the-equivalent-o-1472509844|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Sequels ==
=== ''Lineage M'' === 
''Lineage M'' is a [[Mobile game|mobile port]] of ''Lineage'' developed by NCSoft. It was released in South Korea on June 21, 2017.<ref>{{cite news |title='Lineage M' set to break mobile game sales record |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2017/07/134_233409.html |work=[[The Korea Times]] |date=July 24, 2017 |accessdate=25 October 2020 |archive-date=3 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003090910/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2017/07/134_233409.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chapple |first1=Craig |title=Lineage 2 Revolution follows Lineage M in breaking $1 billion barrier |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/asia/news/68724/lineage-2-revolution-follows-lineage-m-in-breaking-1-billion-barrier/ |accessdate=25 October 2020 |work=[[Pocket Gamer]] |date=August 6, 2018 |archive-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117092734/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/asia/news/68724/lineage-2-revolution-follows-lineage-m-in-breaking-1-billion-barrier/ |url-status=live }}</ref>By June 2018, the game had generated more than {{US$|1.2 billion|long=no}} in gross revenue.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harris |first1=Iain |title=Lineage M breaks $1.2 billion in revenue a year after release |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/asia/news/68385/lineage-m-breaks-120-billion-in-revenues-a-year-after-release/ |accessdate=25 October 2020 |work=[[Pocket Gamer]] |date=June 21, 2018 |archive-date=30 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130204530/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/asia/news/68385/lineage-m-breaks-120-billion-in-revenues-a-year-after-release/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As of July 2020, it has grossed {{US$|2.8 billion|long=no}}.<ref name="July2020">{{Cite web|last=Chapple|first=Craig|title=Top Mobile Games by Worldwide Revenue for July 2020|url=https://sensortower.com/blog/top-mobile-games-by-worldwide-revenue-july-2020|date=August 11, 2020|access-date=2020-08-13|website=Sensor Tower|archive-date=9 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209210247/https://sensortower.com/blog/top-mobile-games-by-worldwide-revenue-july-2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

The game attracted controversy in 2021. The game issued a major balance patch in January that offered improved rates for attaining certain in-game abilities and items, but then did a [[Rollback (data management)|rollback]] four days later. There were disputes over how refunds were issued; NCSoft did not return real-money purchases made during the four days of the patch, but rather refunded spent in-game currency instead. This essentially forced players - who may have bought in-game currency expecting the higher rates from the new patch - to keep the purchase at the lower rates of the old patch. One player was sued by NCSoft after they spent 160 million [[South Korean won|Korean won]] (approximately US$141,000 at 2021 exchange rate) during the period the new patch was live then angrily protested the rollback by obstructing the NCSoft office parking lot with their car.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bizhankook.com/bk/article/21594 |title=리니지M에 40억 쓴 이용자가 엔씨 주차장을 차로 막은 사연 |access-date=28 March 2021 |archive-date=26 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326091706/https://www.bizhankook.com/bk/article/21594 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Lineage W === 
Lineage W is a [[massively multiplayer online role-playing game]] (MMORPG) developed and published by [[NCSoft]]. It is a fifth major installment of the [[Lineage (series)|''Lineage'' series]] by using all elements from Lineage game and sharing some elements with the Lineage II title. The game was announced in August 2021,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Royce|first=Bree|title=NCsoft says Lineage W will launch this year for PC, mobile, PS5, and the Switch|url=https://massivelyop.com/2021/08/19/ncsoft-says-lineage-w-will-launch-this-year-for-pc-mobile-ps5-and-the-switch/|access-date=2021-09-23|website=Massively Overpowered|date=19 August 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Koo|first=Min-Ki|date=2021-08-10|title=NCSoft to launch Lineage W, first game with priority on global users|url=https://www.kedglobal.com/newsView/ked202108100018|access-date=2021-09-23|website=The Korea Economic Daily Global Edition|language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.lineage.com/ Korea official ''Lineage'' site]
* [http://www.lineage.com.hk/ HK official ''Lineage'' site]

{{NCsoft}}

[[Category:1998 video games]]
[[Category:2011 disestablishments in North America]]
[[Category:Classic Mac OS games]]
[[Category:Lineage (series)]]
[[Category:MacOS games]]
[[Category:Massively multiplayer online role-playing games]]
[[Category:NCSoft games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in South Korea]]
[[Category:Video games set in castles]]
[[Category:Windows games]]