NCSoft and Carbine Studios have announced today that their sci-fi wild west themed MMORPG WildStar is going free-to-play this fall. The critically acclaimed (we loved it!) MMORPG offers regular updates and a premium experience.
“At the beginning of 2015, we outlined key points of focus for WildStar to help make this great game even better, focusing heavily on player feedback and bringing meaningful changes,” said Mike Donatelli, product director, Carbine Studios. “We continue to deliver on those points and feel strongly that removing the subscription cost will give everyone who loves MMOs, or just wants to have an incredible gaming experience, a chance to try WildStar.”
Following the transition, all playeers will be able to level to 50, acquire all Amps anda bilities, participate in all dungeons, raids, and adventures, shiphands, and PvP. The entirety of the game will be free for players to explore.
Kind of like SWTOR, players may also purchase an optional membership for a monthly fee that will provide various convenience bonuses and enhancements to XP, crafting, currency, item drops and reputation. Members will gain additional character, costume, bank, supply, and décor items.
For the in-game store, NCoin will enable players to buy convenience or cosmetic items. In almost every case, items that are available for purchase via NCoin will have equivalent items available for players that want to invest time rather than money. One thing that will not be available for purchase is power – progression will continue to require both skill and effort.
Beyond going free-to-play, Carbine is going to remold parts of the game.
· Streamlining player and item stats to be much more intuitive while adding high-level options to give players more flexibility.
· Making the Amp system easier to use by unlocking all Amp slots.
· Reviewing dungeons and open world content so that the experience is challenging, but not brutal.
· Changing the tutorial and early game experience to provide a better and quicker introduction.
