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 BnS NEO Classic Divine Gems 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 join.

NC America seems aware of this concern. During a press Q&A,senior producer Andrew Long noted that efforts are underway to raise awareness of Purple and streamline onboarding. Still,for many gamers,the lack of a Steam option could be a dealbreaker.
A Wuxia MMO Worth Watching

Despite its issues,Blade & Soul Neo is an exciting proposition for fans of wuxia and martial arts fantasy. It captures the beauty and grace of the genre in a way few other games have. Features like unlimited windwalking,customizable combat,and an updated engine make it feel like more than just a fresh coat of paint.

For new players,Neo offers a welcoming entry point into the Blade & Soul universe,free from years of patchwork systems and confusing updates. For veterans,it's a chance to revisit a beloved game in its best form yet—assuming they can stomach the grind and the platform change.

But questions linger. Will the monetization drive players away? Can the game survive without the visibility and convenience of Steam? And perhaps most importantly,can NCSoft support Neo with regular updates and meaningful content expansions in cheap BnS Classic Divine Gems the long term?