NCSoft's "Lineage Classic" recorded 500,000 cumulative users and 180,000 peak concurrent players within two days of launch, drawing back masses of so-called "Linjeossi" — a portmanteau of "Lineage" and "ajussi" (middle-aged men).
According to GameTrix, a PC bang statistics site, "Lineage Classic," released on January 7, captured 6.25% of total PC bang market share as of the previous day, ranking fourth overall. The PC game recreates the early 2000s version of "Lineage," which has been in service since 1998. The title attracted significant attention from gamers in their 40s and 50s, represented by the Linjeossi demographic, even before launch. Streams of "Lineage Classic" on platforms including YouTube and SOOP drew up to 250,000 concurrent viewers.
NCSoft plans to sustain the early momentum by actively incorporating user feedback. The company conducted emergency maintenance on the second day after launch, increasing monster spawn counts in popular hunting grounds and easing restrictions on player killing (PK). Following the official service launch on January 11, the company is also considering increasing "Adena" (in-game currency) acquisition rates and implementing an auto-play system to reduce player fatigue.
"We developed 'Lineage Classic' with serious consideration for balancing nostalgic restoration with modern flexibility," the development team said. "We will strive to recreate the heart-pounding memories of that era that remain in so many people's hearts."