Electronic Arts (EA) on Tuesday announced that it will offer a free version of its massively multiplayer online game, Star Wars: The Old Republic,starting this fall.
“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,” Matthew Bromberg, general manager of BioWare Austin, said in a statement.
Going forward, players will have two options for playing Star Wars: The Old Republic.
The free version will provide access to the first 50 levels, with restrictions on new content and advanced player features, EA said.
Some of that content can be “unlocked” with Cartel Coins, a new virtual currency also making its debut in the fall.
Subscribers will receive monthly Cartel Coins, which can be used to purchase in game items like customizable gear and other game enhancing features.
According to the game’s website, Star Wars: The Old Republic has three subscription options: one month for $14.99; three months for $13.99 per month; or six months for $12.99 per month.
EA said yesterday that Star Wars: The Old Republic will go on sale in August for $14.99, which will include a one month free subscription.
The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three year intervals.
“We believe we are in a position to help improve the service even more,” Jeff Hickman, executive producer of Star Wars: The Old Republic, said in a statement.
“We will not only be 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.”.
Current and former subscribers will get some added benefits, including more frequent content updates and access to special in game items.
In January, Cryptic Studios and Perfect World Entertainment announced that Star Trek Onlinewould buck its $15 price tag and allow free online game play.
In March, Sony Online Entertainment transformed Everquest into a free to play model.
During July’s San Diego Comic Con event, EA and BioWare announced a reimagined version of Ultima Forever: Quest for the Avatar coming to PCs and iPads for free.
Brielle Shreiber is a business journalist based in Munich, Germany. Brielle has a passion for financial markets and breaking news stories and loves writing about business news, stock market, and economic opinions that matters most to its audience. Brielle spends a lot of time discovering and researching latest financial markets and industry news stories in order to make sure the latest and greatest stories are brought to you first on BigBoardNews.com.
