Paragon, from developer Epic Games, is taking the “kitchen sink” mentality to genre definition. It is an MOBA. It is a multiplayer third person shooter. It is card-collecting. It is free-to-play. On March 18th, we’ll be able to get our hands on Paragon on both Steam and PS4 to find out if this combination works.
On a recent post to Reddit, Epic Games released some details for the upcoming beta. Even though the game will be free-to-play when it eventually releases, those who wish to get some early gaming in will need to purchase a Founder’s Pack (which will cost $19.99). According to the developer, “If you’re interested in Paragon, buying a Founder’s Pack will get you in-game content at a huge discount from normal prices.” The Founder’s Pack will obviously get you access to the game, as well as “skins, boosts, and other cosmetic items you can unlock by playing.” For those with exceptionally deep pockets, there are other options, such as the Challenger Pack ($59.99) and Master Pack ($99.99). Obviously, more perks and content come with these pricier options.
One other important part of this release announcement is this proclamation by Paragon’s developers: “Paragon is designed so that all players can compete and win without ever having to spend money. All Heroes are free, and cards can only be earned by playing the game. The game will never be pay-to-win, meaning we will never sell gameplay-affecting items. We will sell cosmetic items (skins, emotes), boosts and other convenience items, along with Paid Early Access. We’re taking this approach because we believe that competitive games need to be fair for all players.”
If Paragon can truly strike the balance it is hoping to achieve, it may be able to carve itself out a spot in the relevant money-makers of the MOBA community. Space is currently dominated by League of Legends, Dota 2, and Heroes of the Storm. Founder’s Packs go on sale March 14th, Early Access will open on March 18th, and the open beta will begin this summer. Check out the short gameplay sample below to get a feel of what Paragon has to offer.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojWEqOzJa8g[/embedyt]
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Interested in Paragon? Or is the MOBA landscape to cluttered and time-consuming to delve into. Let us know!
