That’s right, Star Wars The Old Republic has announced that they are going to offer a Free to Play option. The decision for Star Wars TOR to go Free to Play was really only a matter of time. With so many games out there offering this option to gaming they had to offer something just to stay competitive. Besides the game being based in the Star Wars Universe it hasn’t offered any real major differences that would justify a steep subscriber only model for long.
Being an active player since beta I have seen the number of players drop dramatically every week. Even after the server merge which really helped game play and the ability to find groups the number of players continue to fall. With a premium subscription fee only there are just too many games out there with other options to keep a large player base inside Star Wars TOR.
However, with watching what the Free to Play model has done to Dungeons and Dragons Online I am very excited to see how this will lift Star Wars The Old Republic to new heights. Dungeons and Dragons Online was in its death throes when the Free to Play model was announced and it helped to revitalize not only a masterfully created and entertaining game but helped to literally pave the way for how a Free to Play model should and can work in western markets.
There are not a lot of details yet as to exactly how the Star Wars TOR Free to Play model will work. But we can expect to get spoon fed details until TOR Free to Play is released. Her are some comments from the Star Wars The Old Republic developers on there upcoming Free to Play model for TOR.
Starting this Fall, there will be two ways to enjoy the game. First, you can continue as a subscriber, which gives you unlimited access to all game features and future Game Updates at no additional charge. Second, you have the option to play free to Level 50, with game play restrictions that limit game options and access to certain game content. Our goal is to ensure that our current players continue to receive the AAA content they are used to and enjoy the new rewards. To that end, I am proud to say that we have a lot of great new content coming your way, and that it will be coming more frequently. We have a great lineup in development including: a new Operation, Terror From Beyond, a new heroic mission series on the planet of Belsavis; a set of level 50 space combat missions for those looking for the ultimate challenge mode; introduction of a dangerous new Companion to accompany you; and for our PvP fans, a new warzone, Ancient Hypergate!
Starting today, you’ll be earning rewards as part of our new rewards program, making your current subscription more valuable than ever. Current and lapsed subscribers will earn 150 Cartel Coins for every paid month prior to today (July 31, 2012) and then 200 Cartel points from August 1st until the Free-to-Play option launches. For those who purchased the Collector’s Edition, we have an additional bonus reward of 1000 Cartel Coins for you. With Cartel Coins you can purchase convenience items, boosts, visually unique gear, collectibles, and more. The new Cartel Market gives you the option to add to your game play experience with items that fit your play style and allow you to customize your character.
Check out their forums for more information and to keep an eye on the thoughts and speculation of what Free to Play will do to Star Wars The Old Republic. To those naysayers out there I would like to say that being a naysayer for the DDO model I feel that I was proven wrong in many ways. There are some problems with Free to Play models but if implemented correctly you can keep the Free to Play troublemakers isolated (mostly) as they do on Korthos for DDO. I would suggest that you give the Free to Play model a try before you dismiss the game benefits outright. The benefits for the players and the developers alike are huge and this Free to Play model has helped out nearly every game that it has been applied to. It honestly is just a simple matter of competitiveness now. With so many Free to Play options there is no way to stay ahead in this vastly competitive MMO market other then to offer a variety of play options to your player base.
Here is the official press release from Star Wars The Old Republic.
07.31.2012
EA Expands Award-Winning MMO Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ With Free-To-Play Option This Fall
New Free-to-Play Model Opens Up the Critically-Acclaimed MMO from BioWare and LucasArts to Millions of Additional Star Wars Fans and Gamers Worldwide
Austin, Texas – July 31, 2012 – BioWare™, a Label of Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA), announced today that it will be expanding the story-driven, massively multiplayer online game Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ by adding a new Free-to-Play option this fall. This option will give players access to each of the eight iconic Star Wars character class storylines, all the way up to level 50, with certain restrictions*. Unlimited game access, including new higher-level game content and new features will be made available through individual purchases or through a subscription option.
“Players want flexibility and choice. The subscription-only model presented a major barrier for a lot of people who wanted to become part of The Old Republic™ universe,” said Matthew Bromberg, GM of BioWare Austin.
Jeff Hickman, Executive Producer of Star Wars: The Old Republic added, “Since launch we have been adding new content and refining The Old Republic at a breakneck pace based on the feedback from our fans. We believe we are in a position to help improve the service even more, not only by continuing to add new content, but also by expanding the game to many more Star Wars fans, increasing the populations on worlds and the vibrancy of the community.”
Starting this fall, there will be two different ways to play Star Wars: The Old Republic:
- Subscription – A service designed for players who want unrestricted access to all the game features via ongoing subscription or by redeeming a Game Time Card. In addition to gaining access to all game content as our current subscribers do now, Subscribers will receive ongoing monthly grants of Cartel Coins*, the new virtual currency that will be introduced later this fall. Cartel Coins can be used to purchase valuable items including customizable gear and convenience features that will enhance the game play experience.
- Free-to-Play –The first 50 levels will be free-to-play, with some restrictions on access to new content and advanced player features. Some restrictions can be “unlocked” with Cartel Coins.
As the first step towards adding the new Free-to-Play option this fall, in August at retail Star Wars: The Old Republic will go on sale for $14.99 USD, including one-month of free subscription.
Current and former players will also find additional benefits as part of this program. BioWare will be increasing the frequency of game content updates, with the first of many new releases coming in August. In addition, current subscribers will receive Cartel Coin grants and qualify for access to special in-game items. Even former players who re-activate now will qualify for special benefits. To learn more about these rewards, please visit www.StarWarstheOldRepublic.com/FREE.
Star Wars: The Old Republic is one of the most critically acclaimed MMOs of all time, having won MSNBC’s “Game of the Year” award in 2011, “Editor’s Choice” awards from IGN, PC Gamer and “Best MMO of 2011” awards from Game Informer, GameSpy, AOL Massively, Ten Ton Hammer and more. The game is set thousands of years before the classic Star Wars movies, with the Galactic Republic and Sith Empire locked in the middle of an epic, galactic war. Players choose one of eight iconic Star Wars character classes, including the Jedi Knight, Jedi Consular, Smuggler, Trooper, Sith Warrior, Sith Inquisitor, Bounty Hunter and Imperial Agent, becoming the hero or villain of their own personal Star Wars saga.
For more information on Star Wars: The Old Republic, please visit www.StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com, follow the game on Twitter at http://twitter.com/swtor or “Like” Star Wars: The Old Republic on Facebook at http://facebook.com/starwarstheoldrepublic.
No Comments Yet