Dungeons & Dragons Online To Go Free To Play

Beta testing has begun on a new version of Dungeons & Dragons Online that will make the game free to play. As an alternative to the present subscription-based pricing model, the new pricing will give the game away for free but allow players to purchase adventure packs, items, and services via micro-transactions. There will be no level caps or time limits on the unlimited version. Items available for purchase can be found in the DDO Store, and will include convenience items, premium dungeon packs, additional character slots, hirelings (hired muscle), potions, and character customization amongst other things.

In addition to the free to play model with a la cart upgrades, players will have a choice to keep a subscription model in what is termed a VIP Program. The VIP program will allow players who elect to subscribe to DDO Unlimited will have unlimited access to every premium adventure pack, receive priority server access, enjoy 10 character slots, a shared bank slot, and a monthly allotment of 500 Turbine Points to spend in the new DDO Store.

In a statement released in a press release today, Senior Producer Kate Paiz said, “Our team has spent years crafting DDO Unlimited into a powerhouse experience featuring cutting-edge graphics, a kick-ass combat system, high level content, and cutting-edge social tools. Today marks a major milestone as we prepare to launch the world’s most exciting free MMO.”

“Turbine is blazing a new trail with an innovative new pricing structure that will deliver a new era of choice for the growing market of online gamers, and we are very excited to invite players to work with us in the DDO Unlimited Beta program as we redefine how people play and pay for MMOs,” added Fernando Paiz, Executive Producer.

In the move toward DDO Unlimited players can expect the following to be included in the new release:

• Brand New Content & Features – DDO Unlimited will deliver a new class, increase the level cap, introduce new adventure packs including a new 12-player raid, major combat improvements and more.
• The Fiercest Combat – DDO Unlimited features an extraordinary and heart stopping combat experience that requires players to fully engage in the battle by relying on their wits and reflexes in real time. No more clicking skills and watching the action from the sideline.
• Mind-blowing Visuals – Explore a vast and dangerous online world that features the most advanced graphics in the industry and is stuffed with the legendary monsters, glorious treasures, devious traps, mind-bending puzzles and endless adventures from the world’s best known RPG.
• Full-featured MMO – Experience sophisticated systems found only in the best games including auctions, arena death matches (Player versus Player), NPC hirelings, gambling, crafting, and powerful social tools for finding a group, forming a guild or planning an epic raid.
• Easier Than Ever! – DDO Unlimited gets you playing in minutes instead of hours, using new proprietary Turbine technology. Creating a new character is incredibly simple with guides and templates that speed you through the process. Features an all-new new player experience that gives gamers their first taste of excitement quickly while teaching them how to play solo or with a group of fellow adventurers.

Of those improvements the shift to real-time combat appears to be a significant shift in gameplay and it should be interesting to see how it changes the game.

Presently beta applications are being accepted for closed testing on the DDO website.