Speaking to IGN, Trion Worlds' MMO Defiance creative lead Trick Dempsey reveals that the game will be going free-to-play this summer. The changes will be implemented for the PC on June 4 and for the PlayStation 3 on July 15.
It's worth remembering that game is a tie-in to the SyFy show of the same name that's still on the air. Dempsey told the website that they didn't want to be "that" guy, referring to how studios make free-to-play "largely exploitative." However, it was noted that Season Pass content won't be free in spite of the new model. "DLCs are still the same objects they were when they were released to the public initially," he told IGN. The Bay Area and endgame content will be available for free when the model changes.
Some of the changes will grant current and new players with the following bonuses:
ï‚· A grant of 1,000 Arkforge, a currency redeemable for resetting weapon mastery, upgrading your weapon’s power rating, or even bumping an uncommon weapon to epic rarity.
ï‚· 4 Character Slots, 5 Loadouts, up to 75 Ark Keycodes, and a minimum 70 Inventory Slots.
ï‚· They will also enjoy thirty days of Paradise Patron status when Defiance begins its free-to-play service.
Players who spend money for the Patron Pass will get these:
- Boosts to skill, XP, scrip, salvage, and reputation gain rates that stack with the matching boosts available in the store.
- 10% store-wide discount – boosts, costumes, lock boxes, all of it!
- A grab bag of one-hour boosts or Arkforge from Daily and Weekly Ark Hunter Bonus Lock Boxes.
The tie-in story missions that will lead in the second season of the television show will also be available for free this month.
Last year, the MMO reached a million subscribers than to the successful debut to its flagship television show.
The game was released on April 2nd, 2013 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.
