MMO's: The States of Our Games

The MMO scene has been very volatile as of late. With well-known games going F2P (free 2 play), the upcoming WoW expansion (Cataclysm), and even more news about Guild Wars 2. Anyone who has ever played an MMO (or any MMO's for that matter) can identify with the current environment we are seeing amongst the games we play.  And it is exciting.

A couple of years ago I started checking out F2P MMO's. I was interested in getting into an MMO with a good community and have some fun. This of course led me through the ranks of most of the popular free MMO's. Started with 'Last Chaos' and kept trucking through a little bit of Dungeons and Dragons Online,  Rappelz, Atlantica Online and every other one in between.  Recently found a hidden gem in Allods Online, which even though I have had limited time in game; what I have played has been pretty fun. 

Turbine had converted Dungeons & Dragons Online to F2P, many people thought this was a brave move, and it could have went either way for the company.  How did they do it:  the gave the game away as a free download.  Implemented a cash shop where gamers could purchase items, character slots, new playable races, and mission packs that would unlock other parts of the game.  There is still a subscriber version that includes the mission packs and some other perks.  But for people starting out in the game and maybe limiting their cash spending for games.  This was a great solution.  And it worked for Turbine.

Worked so well for them that now they are taking 'Lord of The Rings Online' free to play as well.  Personally, I'm excited about this one.  I've wanted to play LOTRO for a little while now, and I just couldn't bring myself to another monthly subscription.  Subscription based games are fun, but they come with a sense of obligation.  Either I play a lot and get my monies worth, or I don't play and I lose the money.  That being said, I have spent extensive time in game in Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft, and Champions Online.  And each of these games are fun in their own rite.  However, after playing through the handful of starter levels I tend to find myself not having as much fun.  Because I know that to keep playing (usually past my first 30 days), it will cost me.  Maybe I'm cheap.  But I tend to think my gaming habits aren't constant.  I have several games that I like to play.  And don't like to dedicate any certain amount of time to any one certain game.  I play what I want to play, when I want to play it.  That's it. 

LOTRO isn't the only title going to F2P either.  Also recently announced was Everquest 2 (which will have some hyrbid F2P stuff going on) and Alganon are among the latest.  Which titles are going to be the next to conform to F2P?  Who knows.  But evidence shows, F2P isn't going anywhere, anytime soon.



The other hot topic right now is ArenaNet.  These guys have been pretty quiet about the upcoming sequel to Guild Wars until a few months ago.  They've been teasing us with concept art and concept visuals.  Then they released info on the playable races (which include the Charr this time around), and then they started teasing us with playable classes that are available.  Most recently they have released the 'ArenaNet MMO Manifesto'; which shows off all kinds of gameplay goodness.  From Charr's with guns, to Asuran's piloting Golems, to underwater gameplay footage.  On top of crazy combat visuals, and gorgeous environments, better graphics and the introduction of a persistant world (whereas the original Guild Wars was instanced outside of towns and outposts).  I know one thing for sure...When Guild Wars 2 finally hits the streets, I'll be in line to get my hands on it.

But until Guild Wars 2 hits, you can find me back in the original Guild Wars.  Until next time!  Happy surfing!