The Next Trend in Gaming is Free-to-Play MMOs

After this year's GDC, MMOHub.org's chief editor, Brendon Lindsey, has noticed more and more companies with no previous MMO experience suddenly entering the market, using the free-to-play, microtransaction model. Is this the next big trend in gaming? He believes so.

[Jager]

Going to be the BEST f2p MMORPG in 09.

[ahnonamis]

If it comes out, it'll definitely be one of the top online games.

I'm not sure if everyone would consider it free-to-play since it has a retail purchase, though. Sort of like calling Wizard 101 a free game when you can play for free... BUT can't use chat, can't progress out of the starting area, and can't level past double digits.

[Lumbo]

GW2 is a 2010 release, not a 09 one :(

[Tony P]

If I could pay just the box fee like with GW, I'd probably play more MMOs. It's not a huge stretch because that's the norm in gaming with MMOs as the exception. Other games don't charge extra charge just to have access to content on a disc you just bought (I smell a DLC joke). And if you don't pay the subscription, your $30-$50 discs are completely worthless. That always bugs me with MMOs, which is one of the many reasons why I don't play them.

F2P is a good idea, often poorly implemented. I steer clear of them because even though you can play the game for free, you usually can't do much else w/o fees.

[Mikerra17]

Ive heard that the F2P games make more money than subscription because people but items and zones to access, its actually quite brilliant thats why you see SOE doing it

[divideby0]

I just refuse to pay 15 bucks per month to play a game. WoW is great and fun, but just cant justify p2p model.
Its going to be intresting to see if the PS3 games (Agency) will charge a monthly fee

[Chubear]

MMOs on the PS3 are FREE to play.

[RememberThe357]

that they still weren't sure about the pricing structure of The Agency and DC Universe. I hope they're free to play like you say though. I don't do the whole monthly fee thing.

[ahnonamis]

Has anyone come out and said that, though? Every console MMO I've seen has a monthly fee, still. Only plus side is on the Ps3 there won't be the Live fee AND the game fee each month.

[italianbreadman]

FREE is good... always

[pippoppow]

Either charge just a monthly fee and be able to download the software for free or pay for the game at retail and don't charge a monthly fee.

[blackpanther25]

alot of F2P MMOs have item malls now like fiesta, domo, requime, and etc.
Some game that were p2p have now become free and opened item malls as well like Rose: Evolution.

[barakiu]

OnLive, JavaNes, DSflashcarts, and other similar services are the second part of the trend.

[Jrome]

One-time box fee (buying game in-store)...or microtransaction based are the ways to go. Companies should realize this sooner.

1. They get a lot more publicity.
2. Since it's free to play a lot more people will consider playing it.
3. It's easier to get people to pay microtransactions than a monthly fee.

So, basically when you have a large number of people and microtransactions you'll make as much, if not more money than p2p.

IMHO