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Developer- and Publisher-specific Articles: Free-to-Play
Ironclad Games announces free-to-play Sins of a Dark Age
Sins of a Solar Empire developer Ironclad Games has announced a new free-to-play ‘hero-and-commander’ strategy title, Sins of a Dark Age. Unrelated to the other Sins, Dark Age pits online teams against one another in short head-to-head matches, or as allies against an AI opponent in custom scenarios. Players choose a commander for overseeing the army and base building, while their heroes lead the charge into combat. Heroes are selected from an increasing pool of power-wielding warriors who level up with experience and act as rallying points for the troops. On a slight twist to the free-to-play model, powers are free, with heroes, commanders, factions, and skins costing real-world bucks.
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DC Universe Online gets a touch of Flash with Lightning Strikes DLC
DC Universe Online’s second DLC pack, Lightning Strikes, has launched for the PC and PS3. The Flash stars in Flashback Duo, a new time-traveling adventure set at the moment when Barry Allen becomes The Flash. In addition to the new quest, Central City is available for solo and group adventures and Electricity Powers, the game’s eighth power set, is introduced. The powers include the ability to create Tesla Balls and fire Shockwave bolts to damage enemies, and siphon energy from the environment with Ionic Drain. New gear and villains, including Livewire and The Trickster, round out the additions.
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DC Universe Online enjoys a boost after shift to free-to-play model
SOE’s president, John Smedley, has announced—well, tweeted—some post-transition stats for DC Universe Online. Since shifting to a free-to-play model, the title has seen a 700% increase in daily revenue, with a breakdown of 47% for PC and 53% for PS3, as well as an increase in player base growth of 6% per day. Additionally, over 85% of daily log-ins are returning players, and the percentage of European players has increased from 20% to 50% of daily log-ins.
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MechWarrior Online to use Crytek’s CryEngine 3
The MechWarrior series has always had its lookers—seeing MechWarrior 2 for the first time was a monitor-hugging moment for me*—so it’s fitting that Piranha Games, developer of the upcoming MechWarrior Online, ensure that their entry makes with the pretty. To treat the armored behemoths right, the studio has licensed Crytek’s CryEngine 3, the power behind the hardware-intensive Crysis series. No screens have been released, but I look forward to something that will make my system cry for mercy.
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EverQuest II turns 7, goes free-to-play and gets new expansion
Some big news on the EverQuest II front today. The first, and most significant, bit is that EQII will follow DC Universe Online and go to a free-to-play model early next month. Dave Georgeson, franchise executive producer, goes into greater detail on the decision over at the official site. Sony also announced that a new expansion will launch early next month, titled Age of Discovery. The expansion is detailed below (for you front-page readers). EQII is also turning seven, and to celebrate, the folks at EverQuest2.com have launched a series of new features detailing the history of the franchise.
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MechWarrior Online developer Q&A, concept art released
MechWarrior fans got some good news earlier this month when it was announced that Piranha Games had finalized a deal with Infinite Game Publishing to release MechWarrior Online. The free-to-play entry in the long-running series is due out in 2012, and to give gamers additional insight into the developers behind the project, Piranha has released a Q&A on the official site. Aspiring mech pilots can check out the full feature here.
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DC Universe Online now free to play for PC and PS3
DC Universe Online has relaunched as a free-to-play title for both the PC and PS3. There are also packages for those wanting a little more than what the Free version offers: Premium Access and Legendary Access. All levels will have access to the world and missions, as well as game updates and fixes.
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MechWarrior Online announced for 2012
Piranha Games has been trying to get a new MechWarrior off the ground for a while now, but much to the chagrin of fans, they’ve hit more than a few roadblocks. After many a month (re: years), the franchise will finally be returning to the PC as MechWarrior Online, a free-to-play release helmed by Piranha Games and published by Infinite Game Publishing.
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Tribes: Ascend closed beta date, details announced
The closed beta for Hi-Rez Studios’ Tribes: Ascend is set to kick off on November 4. Invitations will be sent out in waves to registered players and to those who pre-ordered the VIP Started Bundle. The bundle, available for purchase at the official site for $29.99, guarantees access to the beta and also includes permanent VIP status, a 30-day Booster, and 800 Tribes Gold.
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DC Universe Online going free-to-play for PC and PS3
Sony Online’s DC Universe Online has done a switcheroo from a premium to-play service to a free-to-play’er. The MMO will make the change in late October, when PC and PS3 gamers will be able to download and access the game for free. In addition to the Free tier, there will also be a Premium version and a Legendary version for those wanting extra benefits. All levels will have access to the world and missions, as well as game updates and fixes.
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