GAMERS DECIDE - best free online RPG games

The Increasing Success of Free-to-Play MMOs

Rtipper — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 04:32:52 +0000

The Thin Line Between Free & Pay-To-Play

Even when the pay-to-play model is removed, some massively multiplayer online games are finding ways to stride forward and stay afloat in a heavily saturated genre.

If there is one word that gamer’s today will find both joy and concern in, it’s “free”. Over the past fifteen years, as both the gaming industry and the genres off MMO’s have skyrocketed, nearly every single type and theme of massively multiplayer online game has emerged. While the industry has been dominated specifically by the presence of games such as Blizzard’s World of Warcraft since its release in 2004 and EverQuest in 1999, that hasn’t stopped developers from both new and old backgrounds to step forward and attempt to improve and cash in on the formula that those two helped create.

While subscription based games do still exist, those models have slowly begun to fall by the waysides.

In enters the free to play model.

Either intentional or not, many developers now rely on the increasing pay-free structure after switching from a paid for subscription based system or not including it at all from the very start. Many games that would have quickly vanished off the map have continued to exist in this competitive MMO world and have even seen greater success after adopting the new system.

A screenshot from Star Wars: The Old Republic’s expansion “Knights of the Fallen Empire” which began its shift towards the games specific strengths of a cinematic, single player based experience in an MMO environment that has helped to keep it going even when quickly switching to the free-to-play model.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Looking back a World of Warcraft, once can easily see why it’s never gone with a free-to-play system. In 2010 nearing the end of the Wrath of the Lich King expansion, roughly 12 million players were reported as currently subscribed. 12 million at $15 a month is roughly $180 million a month. When a game generates that kind of revenue, it will never need to go free to play. That’s just crazy money.

That being said, when a game doesn’t have that amount of cash flowing in, it has to find much more creative and inventive ways to stay afloat. Star Wars: The Old Republic made the switch to the free-to-play model in 2013 and saw its player based stabilize around the 500k mark. Since then, it has continued to develop 5 expansion packs to this point and counting. Other games, such as Runescape, Marvel Heroes, Guild Wars 2 and Lord of the Rings Online, have all continued to operate with a subscription fee system while still generating enough revenue to actively develop new content. Finally, a game that has turned into one of the most successful MMO’s of all time is Blizzard’s Overwatch. At $40 for the software, no subscription and less than a year old, the player base is estimated to currently be at 25 million and one of the most streamed games on Twitch.

While the free-to-play model can sometimes signal the beginning of the end for an MMO, it can also be a saving grace if done quick enough or can be a successful and impactful choice right from the start.

Defiance Gameplay: 10 Interesting Facts About This Third Person Shooter

trueforce08 — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 18:05:43 +0000

Forget multi-platform, Defiance has gone multi-media

In 2012 twelve developer Trion Worlds teamed up with the SyFy channel to launch their multimedia experiment, “Defiance”. The key here is that the game and the show are concurrently developed and progress side by side. For those of you who have been burned by games based on movies and shows here are 10 reason why you should check out Defiance.

Quickest way to end a barfight, yell “Arkfall”. I dare you to try it next Saturday when you’re out with the gang.

10. Defiance is free to play.

You get to shoot stuff, and not pay for ammo. What are you waiting for?

What more motivation do you need to check out Defiance? As the trailer said Now Safe For Wallets. I have been playing since before it was free to play, but haven’t spent a penny beyond the original game purchase. Oh, and I still rock San Fran hard core.

Click to Play for free

Enough said.

9. Nearly unlimited play, because it’s linked to the Syfy TV show

I know I’m not the only one out there that watches something in the background while I rock the keyes and conquer the universe (in fact I am watching the classic “Masters of the Universe” from 1987 right now). With Defiance you can play the game while you check out the show at the same time. The game includes episodes that are tied to events that happen in the show. So, as you play you are interacting with the unfolding story on screen.

As long as the show continues to run (three seasons in the book, and a fourth on the way) the game will continue to get new content. Plus, the actions of players in the game can directly affect the events of the show.

Did I mention, free to play?

8. No shortage of content even if you don’t watch the show (which you should be watching).

Before you get all excited about there only being gameplay content connected with the show, the game has its own standalone story and events. The show takes place in a terraformed St. Louis, while the game takes place in the San Francisco area. San Francisco has no shortage of its own issues and problems that a brave arkhunter such as yourself is uniquely suited to solve.

Giant robot attacking! Good time for jumping jacks.

7. No farming necessary

Ya know what I hate about so many MMOs? In order to be competitive you have to constantly annihilate meaningless creatures in forests to get ahead. In defiance, that is surely and option, but because the game is quest and group event directed you will be able to constantly be headed toward new things. So, put your pitchfork away and go bash some alien skulls!

Those ugly guys are called Hellbugs, and no, insecticide won’t help you.

6. Test your Arkhunter skills in brutal Competitive multiplayer

Boy shadows sure make pretty explosions.

This isn’t your grandma’s online competitive multiplayer. Instead of fighting in an arena, you enter a mode where the map you quest on becomes a field of battle. You have to know your weapons and terrain well in order to survive a tricky sniper or long range demolitionist.

Who needs a gun, I got four wheels and mega horsepower.

5. Nearly Endless Weapons and Modifications

Defiance features several different weapon types that allow you to wreak havoc in the terraformed San Francisco. Unleash creepy infestations, mucky black goo, or go old school and drop a sucka with a shotty the choice belongs to you. Along the way are thousands of modifications to change the effectiveness and use of your favorite weapon.

Nothing more comfy than a sawed off shotty.

4. Be an alien, fighting other aliens

What is more rewarding than kicking aliens off our home planet? Being an alien wreaking havoc on other aliens! Defience has no shortage of alien races that you will interact with, and fight against. You can either be a human or a member of one of the races that comprises the Votanis Collective. Then you fight and every growing list of increasingly ugly and powerful aliens seeking to claim ownership of the terraformed Earth.

Get past the weird forehead and the seriously creepy eyes, and she’s kinda cute.

3. EGO Power!

Defiance’s pathway of character progression is paved by your character’s EGO, or Environmental Guardian Online. The EGO gives your character access to a unique ability to be applied in the heat of battle. Super speed, invisibility, overpowered weapons, and misguidance are skills that you will build and level across your San Francisco journey.

The EGO also tracks your available missions, and mission progress giving you immediate access to all the wonderful wasteland content that your heart can desire.

This power is called Blur, you move so fast your enemies think there are tons of you.

2. Co-op Potluck

One of the key features of defiance is the ability and opportunity to jump into absurdly sized battles against horrific enemies alongside dozens of other players. Most of the events are randomly spawned across the world, and require no joining or waiting for group members to begin. Defiance also includes areas and instances for more formal co-op combat insanity.

A Samurai, cowboy, a confederate, and a storm trooper walk into an instance. Stop me if you’ve heard this one.

1. Tour the world famous San Francisco…slightly terraformed.

San Francisco is heralded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and a must visit for the traveler, but with all the demands on your time with Warcraft, League of Legends, Game of Thrones, and eating who has the time? Defiance lets you live out your travel fantasies and explore the lovely country surrounding this magnificent city.

Along your tour you will encounter massive bugs that spit fire and lightning, body snatching alien cyborgs, merciless raider bands, and a race of super powered aliens called the Volge you have to see to believe. Make sure you pack your EGO and a trusty sidearm.

Warning: Due to giant aliens and terraforming, some bridges and roads may be inaccessible during your trip.

Want more free-to-play? These oughta suit your fancy.

10 Best Free Online RPG Games To Play in 2015

10 Best Free Horror Games to play in 2015 (for PC)

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A terraformed Earth makes for an awesome terrain park, that dude should really get a helmet.

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10 Best Free Online RPG Games To Play in 2015

addroddyn — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 20:46:38 +0000

With the huge number of free MMORPGs out there, it can be hard to choose one that fits your needs the best.

That is why we have decided to make your job easier, and pick the 10 best free online RPG games.

10. Albion Online

The game features guild PvP.

Although Morgana, the powerful sorceress has been defeated, her followers still live and want revenge. It is your job to stop them and bring peace to the world of Albion, by any means necessary. There are no quests or classes in the game. Players define their characters with equipment: if you equip a staff, you are a mage. You equip a sword, you are a knight. Each piece of equipment gives access to abilities.

Showcasing the different features of the game.

You can build your own house, or you can also engage in guild PVP, with four of your guild mates. The 5v5 guild battles mean that even a new and small guild can win against a big one, if it has five good players. The game is not out yet, but you can buy a founder’s pack if you want to play it.

The developers talk about what is in the game and what they plan to add.

9. Marvel Heroes

You play as your favorite Marvel heroes.

Doctor Doom got his hands on the Cosmic Cube, and he wants to reshape the world to his liking! It is your task, as one of the many Marvel characters, to put an end to his evil plans. Marvel Heroes in an action MMORPG, similar to Path of Exile or Diablo in its mechanics.

The developers playing Marvel Heroes.

Each character is unique, and developers tried to make their fighting styles similar to the comic books (meaning that Spider-Man is a fast and agile fighter, while the Hulk is slow, but hits very hard). As of now, there’s not too much end game content, but the game is updated continuously. Gamers are rewarded for daily logins and for partaking in events.

Content based on the Avengers movie.

8. ArcheAge

Three of the classes.

In the land of Auroria, everyone is a refugee. It is up to you to forge a new life for yourself. Become a mercenary, a trader or a humble farmer, the choice is yours in ArcheAge, a fantasy sandbox MMORPG published by Trion.

A dangerous run.

The game doesn’t have predefined classes, players are welcome to try any of the more than 120 character builds. There is a huge world to explore, either on foot, by air, or on sea. The game features naval combat, which is something we rarely see in MMORPGs. The business model involves a bit of grind, but ultimately, the game is worth it.

The launch trailer for a new dungeon.

7. Echo of Soul

Some of the classes in the game.

An evil force has risen from the blood of the Ymir the Giant King, and it wants to destroy the World Tree. You, as a chosen of the gods, have to defeat them. You can choose between 5 genderlocked classes (meaning that every class has a fixed gender you can’t change), with every class having access to two specializations at level 10.

You can PvP yourself to the level cap.

One unique feature of the game is the soul purification system. Each enemy you kill grants one soul, which you can purify and use as a secondary skill or crafting reagent. Apart from this, Echo of Soul is a traditional MMORPG. This doesn’t mean that it is bad, though; it just means that you have everything you expect in a game like this. If you want a good, reliable MMORPG, you should definitely try this one out.

The world counts on you, Soul Keeper.

6. Skyforge

Nothing says "god" like a big machine gun.

In Skyforge, you play as an immortal warrior fighting to protect your home planet. And what’s a better way to do that than becoming a god? This is your goal: to earn power and followers, and ultimately, join the heavens. The game has a unique visual style, mixing fantasy and sci-fi.

Presenting the Gunner class.

There are multiple classes ranging from melee DPS to ranged and heal. The game allows you to switch between them at any time you want, and you can also improve them separately. This means that if your spellcaster can’t defeat an enemy, you can switch to a warrior who can take more damage. Right now the game is not open to the public, but you can sign up for the beta version of it.

The way to divinity is long and hard.

5. Aion: Ascension

Players can get wings for their characters.

The Dragon Lord, Beritra almost destroyed the world before, and now he wants to do it again. By finding Ereshkigal’s relics, he hopes to gain immense power. It is up to you to stop him. Play as one of two factions and eleven classes in the broken but beautiful land of Atreia.

One of the new classes, the Rider.

One of the most important features of the game is the ability to fly, and, more importantly, to fight in-air. Aion: Ascension was subscription based, but then went Free to Play. What this means is that you, the player, get subscription quality, for free.

Earn your wings!

4. Wildstar

Don't let their cuteness fool you.

In Wildstar, you play as a member of two factions, the Dominion and Exiles. Both factions want the planet Nexus as their own. The Dominion is a huge empire which thinks Nexus should be their next planet, while the Exiles have come here to escape the Dominion.

The developers play Wildstar.

Mechanically, it is more or less a standard MMORPG, but it has a great style and humor. Combat is very dynamic, requiring a lot of movement, especially in the case of DPS characters. Right now it is still subscription based, but when it opens up to the public, it will surely be one the best free online RPG games on the market – until that, it stays as number 4.

Coming this Fall.

3. Swordsman

The battle animations are very well done.

Ten Kung Fu clans fight each other for supremacy in China. The war between the clans has ravaged your village, and as its sole survivor, you set out to join one of the clans and take revenge. Swordsman Online is a martial arts themed MMORPG, coming from the Chinese division of Perfect World Entertainment.

The producer talks about gameplay features.

It has a very detailed character creation, and 10 character classes to choose from. You have the choice of using an action-oriented combat system (where the combat style uses a crosshair, like in an FPS game), or traditional tab-targeted combat, as seen in other MMORPGs. The progression is story driven, and there are a lot of instanced quests. If you are looking for a game with a traditional Oriental look, this game is perfect for you!

The new expansion adds a lot of features to the original game.

2. Neverwinter

There's nothing like dragon hunting to get your friends together.

Lord Neverember has arrived to the destroyed city of Neverwinter, and proclaimed himself Lord Protector. He has called all the adventurers from the land to join him in securing the great city from the invading forces of Thay and Netherese. Neverwinter is a game based on the Neverwinter games, which are themselves built on the tabletop D&D system.

Introduction to the Guardian Fighter.

Thanks to this, the game has a deep lore, ideal for players who search for MMOs with a little more story in them. There are eight classes in total. The combat is dynamic and, thanks to the D&D system, balanced: you have to actually aim your attacks, not just select a target and spam numbers. The game is ideal for D&D and Neverwinter fans alike, but it can offer much for anyone looking for a good free online RPG.

The newest expansion will have strongholds.

1. Tera: Rising

The game certainly has no lack of giant monsters.

When the Argon invaded, the seven races of Arun and Shara had to put aside their difference. They stand united, as The Valkyon Federation. You are a new recruit of the Federation. Rise through the ranks and defeat the invasion! Tera: Rising is a fantasy MMORPG developed by Bluehole Studios. It features a dynamic combat system, in which you have to manually move your crosshair, a dodge/parry system to counter incoming blows, and lots of unique monsters.

The newest class, the Gunner, in action.

It is called by many the best free online RPG of current times. Its business model is very fair: nothing in the game shop is overpowered, and you can unlock almost everything with enough gameplay. The classes are very different, each offering a unique playstyle. Even if you think that you have seen all MMORPGs have to offer, Tera: Rising might surprise you if you try it.

The launch trailer for the newest expansion, Fate of Arun.

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Become a force to be reckoned with.

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