The worry here is that the game,like many free-to-play MMOs before it,leans too heavily on BnS NEO Classic Divine Gems grind-based mechanics to push players toward the cash shop. While not strictly pay-to-win,the experience could quickly become pay-for-convenience.

Platform Accessibility: Why No Steam?

Perhaps the most questionable decision surrounding Blade & Soul Neo's Western release is its platform exclusivity. Unlike most modern MMO launches,Neo will not be available on Steam. Instead,it will launch solely on NCSoft's proprietary platform,Purple.

From a business perspective,this makes sense. NCSoft gets to keep 100% of microtransaction revenue rather than sharing with Steam. However,the tradeoff is significant. Steam is the dominant distribution platform on PC,and for many players,it is PC gaming. Asking players to install yet another launcher—one that most have never heard of—creates a barrier to entry at a time when accessibility is key.

Even major publishers like Ubisoft and EA have backtracked from platform exclusivity in favor of returning to Steam after recognizing the value of its massive built-in audience. It's hard to see how Purple will succeed where others have stumbled,especially without a significant marketing push or incentive to BnS Classic Divine Gems for sale join.