Lost Ark is available now – though you wouldn’t know it if you’ve been trying to log in at peak times. When servers are well and truly overloaded, you won’t even get to glimpse how long the queue times are for each server. Lost Ark is just that popular, and has been since the early-access period. More servers are being added to help with player congestion, but it might be a while before Lost Ark is easily accessible. 

As a result, we have the handy help you need. If you are waiting for those long server queues to tick by, you’ll need something else to help pass the time. In this guide we’ve collected ten different things you can do to help the time pass while waiting to log in to Lost Ark. 

Make a cup of tea

(AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)

Or coffee! Lost Ark‘s servers have been overloaded almost constantly since launch, even resulting in a short last-minute delay. To kill the time instead of your patience, time to make a hot drink. Making the perfect cup of tea or coffee can be a time-intensive experience, and incredibly rewarding when you get the taste just right. It’s even more time-consuming if you’re American and you’re banned from owning a kettle! Make yourself the perfect drink, and if you’re still queueing up, take a look at our other advice.

Go to the gym

A fit body leads to a fit mind. If you work out your brain’s ability to process and react increases – that’s a fact. Even esports athletes are now regularly prescribed physical activity as part of their training to improve their abilities in the game. Not to mention the confidence exercise brings you will carry over to your gameplay. If you can’t make it to the gym, maybe see how many squats you can do until you can log in. Maybe don’t try that when the queue is four-figures.

Read One Piece

Did you know that One Piece is one of the greatest stories ever told? It’s true! One Piece is genuinely incredible, and the public perception of it is going to change rapidly once the upcoming Netflix live-action series finally launches. Get ahead of the crowd and read through the story now, in the way it was intended, and you’ll find a brand new favorite. It has more than 1,000 chapters, so you should have plenty of content to enjoy while the server queue slowly ticks by.

Start a new Netflix show

(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

The One Piece live-action series isn’t available on Netflix yet – thank God – but there’s so much out there to watch that you haven’t seen yet. Whether it’s a new anime series, a crime drama, one of those slightly fishy Netflix originals – there’s just so much to choose from. You can truly get lost in a Netflix hole, especially when it comes to their documentary section. You can even continue watching/listening to the show once your game loads up.

Learn a new skill

(Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)

YouTube can teach you pretty much anything. Find the right place to start and get a few tools, and you can quickly learn how to edit video, make digital art, or produce music, all in increments of 20 minutes or less. Consistency is the key when it comes to learning any skill – just come back and do it regularly. If you plan to play a lot of Lost Ark, you just get enough time to learn a new skill by the time the servers calm down.

Play mobile games

Pokemon Go - Valentine's Day Event 2022

The true genius of most mobile games is how easy it is to dip in and out of them. While you check for messages and emails, you can quickly send your Pikmin on an expedition, or check if your eggs have hatched in Pokémon GO. There are dozens of passive experiences on mobile that ask you to just check-in, set the game up, and then check back later. These are great for those tiny breaks, but when you’re in a longer queue, you might need something meatier. 

There are dozens of full-length RPGs for you to play through, such as Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, and many more unique games like Telling Lies or Monument Valley. With Apple Arcade it’s easy to find a great mobile game to play, and they might make you wish the server queue was a bit longer.

Play Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Pokémon Legends: Arceus is home to some stunning places.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a wonderful reinvention of the Pokémon formula, taking the game entirely open-world, changing the traditional turn-based battle system, and making the act of catching Pokémon like a Metal Gear Solid sneak section. This is completely different from the Pokémon games you’ve played in the past, and despite some shortcomings, it keeps you playing for hours at a time – or, you can play in increments of minutes, of course. However long the server queue lasts.

Spend time with your loved ones

(Allsport UK /Allsport)

Maybe call your mom? See how your sister is doing? What about your pals from work, or the ones you grew up with? Hey, how are the neighbors right now? It doesn’t really matter who, maybe just send a message out and see how someone is, what they’ve been doing, what their future plans are. Spend time with someone you care about, and the server queue will go much faster than usual.

Take a walk

Sometimes it’s just good to stretch your legs. Sit in a desk chair for long enough, whether that’s working or playing games, and your body will slowly learn to hate you. Every now and then you need to get up and move a bit, and if the server queue is hefty, that’s the perfect time. Take a stroll to the nearest shop, buy a few kitchen essentials and a nice snack before heading back. Any excuse to not stare at your position in queue. 

Tweet about it

(AFP PHOTO /LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images)

If all else fails, maybe moan about the server status on Twitter. Tweeting about servers for online games is a pastime in itself, and hundreds of Twitter users only ever seem to log on when they’re unable to play their favorite game. You can network with these people, complain alongside them, and maybe even meet them in the game to hang out after. It sounds awful, but it’s an option.

Written by Dave Aubrey on behalf of GLHF.