Funcom has announced that their MMORPG, Anarchy Online will stay free throughout 2006 and into 2007. This only applies to new accounts created specifically for the 'free' offer started earlier this year. If you want to use your level 180 enforcer again, you're going to have to re-subscribe. The free version of AO does not include any of the expansions, so if you want to play Notum Wars, Shadowlands, or Alien Invasion, you'll need to upgrade to a paid account.

"The free initiative has been a great success," said Trond Arne Aas, CEO of Funcom. "More than 400,000 new players have signed up during the last ten months, and extremely few MMO titles can show a similar increase in registrations in the same timeframe. Seeing the great feedback from the free offer we are thus going to extend it into 2007 and beyond."

We recently reported that Anarchy Online had gained some new in-game advertising partners, which is how Anarchy Online stays free.

• Anarchy Online Free Campaign Website