Wildstar is a pretty popular game, garnering the highest-rated MMO score on Metacritic for the year. When WildStar launched it was a full priced, subscription-based MMO. Since then, it has remained a game that you not only have to purchase up-front, but pay $14.99/month to play. That all changes with the arrival of WildStar Free-To-Play.
Carbine Studios released an official press release regarding the Free-To-Play launch, quoting:
“Today is an important milestone in WildStar‘s history and the team has been working very hard to make sure the game is better than ever,” said Mike Donatelli, product director, Carbine Studios. “We received a ton of positive feedback from our fan base through our closed beta and have worked to create a game that is fun, accessible, and engaging for all players.”
WildStar’s free-to-play model aims to be one of the fairest and most accessible in the genre. Titled WildStar: Reloaded, the update brings new content, enhanced game systems, special in-game events and tons of quality of life improvements. This comes in a variety of forms, including rework of the stats system, streamlined dungeons, and class balance. There will also be new features and content that include The Alpha Sanctum, Madame Fay’s Fortunes, and a Loyalty Program.
Moving forward, WildStar will be funded using an optional subscription model and vanity-oriented microtransactions. Those who opt out of paying the monthly fee will have several minor restrictions put in place, including the following:
- Three active buy & sell auction house posts
- Can join one Circle
- No queue priority
- No PTR access
- Slower rest XP
Restrictions can be undone by either purchasing the game or subscribing to what Carbine Studios is calling Signature, a fancy name for its optional subscription service. Either or both of these will improve the quality of the experience by not only dropping restrictions, but by giving the player perks such as increasing XP and reputation gains, bonus Loyalty Points, and priority access to CS Tickets.
In the mean time, you can check out the Wildstar Free-To-Play launch trailer below. Stay tuned for details!
[embedyt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH-ln5SVy9Q[/embedyt]
I believe that games are an important form of entertainment, and that they can uplift and inspire millions of people around the world. I love JRPGs, and dabble in many other genres, especially MOBAs.
