Back in the day, MMORPGs largely relied on the subscription model in which gamers had to buy the game and pay a monthly subscription to enjoy it. However games like Guild Wars went a slightly different direction by removing the subscription, instead all gamers had to do was buy the game.Recently more games have started to evolve and have adopted the free-to-play model and proving the speculators right, it looks like Wildstar has officially adopted the free-to-play model and will be switching to it this fall. What this means is that gamers will soon no longer have to pay a subscription fee every month in order to play the game. However in order to generate revenue, the developers will introduce services, conveniences, and cosmetic options.
According to the developers, “We place no restrictions on any of the game’s content. Every zone, every dungeon, every raid, every battleground… they’re all available. All players will be able to create characters of every race, class, and path while choosing any tradeskills they like. Characters can achieve level 50 and path level 30, just as they can under the current system.”
This system reminds us of MOBAs such as League of Legends and DotA 2 in which the game is completely free and there are no restrictions, but gamers who don’t mind shelling out for certain features such as costumes for their heroes are welcome to do so. Wildstar joins the list of other MMOs who have abandoned the subscription model in favor of free-to-play, such as Star Wars: The Old Republic.
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