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| Zachary Pintchik |
We're free at last!
06.05.10 - 2:35 PM
Following the success of Dungeons and Dragons Online's Free-to-Play structure, Turbine announced today that they will be bringing their award-winning Lord of the Rings Online into the Free-to-Play realm this fall. The new business model is part of the upcoming Volume 3, Book 2 update which will continue the game's Epic Story, bringing with it DirectX 11 Support as well as a slew of new features.
Turbine has also revealed the LOTRO Store, an in-game shop where players can purchase a variety of items and account upgrades including healing potions, extra character slots and premium classes, cosmetic character upgrades, and even full expansions. Players can purchase items in the store with Turbine Points, which can be earned through gameplay or bought in the Store.
While everyone will be able to play the game for free, Turbine will put a variety of restrictions on free accounts. Free players can only have one character per server, are limited to maximum of 2 Gold per character at any given time, have limited access to in-game chat, mail and auction houses, and are unable to access Monster Play (LOTRO's brand of Player vs. Player action), among other things.
A player's account will be upgraded to Premium level, which will remove some of these limitations, with their first cash purchase from the LOTRO Store. VIP Access provides unfettered access to game content as well as 500 bonus Turbine points per month, and will be available for a monthly subscription fee. Turbine has not yet announced whether a VIP subscription will cost the same as current subscription fees.
To test these new features, a Beta will be held in the very near future. Interested players can sign up on the LOTRO website below.
