Albion Online Will No Longer Be Free To Play

The upcoming MMORPG Albion Online, which is currently in closed beta, recently detailed the direction the game is headed in a forum post from the developers. Besides detailing what features are being planned for the game, the post also highlights two important facts about the release and economy of Albion Online. Originally intended to be a free to play title, Albion Online will now have a one-time “Starter Pack” purchase that will give players full access to the game and its features. In the same post, the developers announced that the closed beta for Albion Online will last for at least six months more than expected. It was supposed to see release in early 2016, but finishing the closed beta will delay release at least until the second half of the year, if not longer.

The development team also stated the reason they were ditching the free to play model: “Making the game ready for a free to play model would take up significant development time which we would much rather use to make a better game.” They also highlight some of the risks that could come with the free to play model for Albion Online, citing “spamming, botting, world to small, etc.” as other reasons they want to move from free to play.

Albion Online has ambitious goals for a small studio MMORPG. It promises a player-driven economy, intense PVP as well as PVE battles, cross-platform capability, and an intense leveling system that allows insane customization and specificity. The leveling system seems like the most unique and interesting aspect. It is called the Destiny Board, and it looks similar to Final Fantasy X’s sphere grid on steroids.

Albion Online may have a bit of a grind to it.

You can check out the trailer for Albion Online on the game’s official site, or you can support the developers by picking up a Founder’s Pack and jumping into the closed beta to give it a try for yourself. Already in the closed beta? Let us know in the comments below!