Lineage features 2D isometric-overhead graphics similar to those of Ultima Online and Diablo II.
Players can choose one of five character classes: elf, knight, wizard, prince/princess, or dark elf. Gameplay features classic RPG elements reminiscent of Dungeons & Dragons, such as killing monsters and completing quests for loot and experience points, levels, character attributes (charisma, strength, wisdom, etc.), and alignments (neutral, chaotic or lawful). Lineage's stat, monster, and item system was originally largely borrowed from NetHack with MMO elements added, but recent updates have introduced more original content. Player versus player combat (aka as PVP) is extensive in Lineage. Players can fight other player characters by joining a "bloodpledge" (an association of players almost like a clan in other games) and then attacking a castle or fighting a pledge war.
As of 2004, developers consider Lineage to be the most commercially successful MMORPG ever. NCsoft has reported that Lineage had at one point more than four million subscribers, most of them in Korea. To compare, EverQuest (1999) has not even reached 500,000 subscriptions. Despite a sharp reduction in number of subscriptions with the release of its sequel, it remains among the most popular MMORPGs in the world, with over 2 1/4 million active users. Only World of Warcraft, with over 6 million active users, has a larger user base. Analysts have come up with many ways to explain the difference in magnitude of these numbers. Many suggest that Korea has a thriving multiplayer computer game culture (a ban on some Japanese imports up until 1998 has been cited for delayed growth in its video game console market). Others point to the difference in subscription models: Most Korean gamers play at PC baangs that pay for their own subscriptions.
Despite the popularity of their games in Asia, NCsoft has yet to produce similar successes anywhere else in the world.
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