New World Aeternum on the upswing?

 Is it possible we are seeing New World Aeternum on an upswing in popularity?  Recent Steam chart movement has the game cresting back over 10,000 concurrent players during daily peaks and a flood of new players are enjoying the game thanks to the game being available on PSN+.  Season 9 also just started and there is buzz around new content coming in Season 10.  Let's take a look at the trends and get a vibe check.

 Personally I still log in and check out New World from time to time even though I am playing other games like Dune Awakening.  I did end up completing the Season 8 season pass before the season expired but I mostly ignored the springtime event.  While not my daily driver MMO as it has been in the past it is still there for me when I need a warm fuzzy feeling from an MMO.  I am still smitten with the game.

 One promising sign, for me at least, of New World's upswing is the vibe from content creators.  Specifically it was good to see Kristofer thinking the same thing I've been thinking with his recent video: New World Is Popular Again?

 Next there was an up and down Reddit thread that I felt made a good argument for the state that returning players will find in New World Aeternum.  There were some Negative Nancies that showed up on the thread but just ignore them.  The post outlined why there should be some optimism for Season 10:

 We’re not just getting new content in Season 10 (like a new zone and a new raid) we’re looking at what might be a structural rebirth for New World.

    Procedural Expeditions with Extraction mechanics

    A complete Endgame Progression System Overhaul

Just to recap with Season 10, New World pretty much checks EVERY box an MMO needs:

    5 PvP modes: War, Outpost Rush, 3v3 Arenas, Influence Race and Capture the Flag

    A solid roster of Dungeons

    Raids

    And finally, a potentially fixed, rewarding Endgame Loop

The Procedural Expeditions alone introduce a whole new gameplay layer, blending dungeon crawling with extraction-style mechanics. Paired with the endgame overhaul, this could finally give New World the replayability it’s been missing. 

 Again some Negative Nancies crashed the party and pointed out the history with development coming up short of expectations for the game, but my general experience is the development comes up short in quantity and not necessarily quality.  We've gotten some good updates out of New World; they just haven't had a beefy amount of content to go with them so players chew through them fast.  I am hoping this time can be different.  I am also looking forward to the shake up to the end game progression that has been mentioned by the devs numerous times.

 Lastly the Steam charts speak some truth.  With Season 9, which features very little in the way of new content, has the Steam charts climbing.  It's a small but good sign that the game is in a healthy spot.  No; it's not chart-busting player numbers but it isn't anything to dismiss.

  

Steam Chart as of 7/30

 I will continue my positive vibe for New World Aeternum.  I do really still love the game and even without consistent play I am now closing in on 5,000 hours played which does cement it as my most played game ever.  Things are looking up for the game and I hope I can get some my friends back in and playing.  As much as I enjoy my excursions into other games like Once Human or Dune Awakening; I'd love to get back to New World with them.  Here's hoping for a fun Season 9 and an even more exciting Season 10!