Some games like this MMORPG do away with the mandatory subscription altogether to attract players… Good strategy?

game news Some games like this MMORPG do away with the mandatory subscription altogether to attract players… Good strategy?

Released on October 15, 2022, Embers Adrift is an old-school MMORPG that offers an immersive, challenging, self-help and community-based experience. The game is essentially PvE and is aimed at fans of old MMOs, especially those pre-World of Warcraft. Even if the title doesn’t compete with the leaders of the genre, Embers Adrift has the merit of bringing together thousands of players around the world. As with most MMORPGs, access to the game was via a monthly subscription, which is no longer the case Stormhaven, the studio behind the app, has decided to retire this mandatory subscription!

Before this decision, to play Embers Adrift, you had to pay $40 for the game and then $10 each month to access the MMORPG. From the end of June it will be enough to pay for the title to access it at will (The game is often for sale on their website, it may cost $30). However, some limitations apply to non-subscription players, such as access to a single character, fewer emotes, fewer interactions, or a more restricted bank. On the contrary, the others are offered benefits such as unique titles, legendary items, and more crafting opportunities.

“Community has always been one of the main pillars of our game design and central to the way we operate as a game studio. We will always do what we believe is best for the community. With that in mind, we are pleased to announce the addition of an additional layer of access to our MMORPG Embers Adrift. At the end of June 2023, all players who have purchased Embers Adrift (past, present or future) will be able to play an active character in all game content without a subscription. Subscribers who choose to support us with their $9.99 monthly subscription receive additional benefits.” – communique

de Stormhaven

The MMORPG Challenge: Attract New Players

The monthly subscription to get access to an MMORPG is a real obstacle for many people. The economic model of MMORPGs is often diverse, take the example of World of Warcraft: to play it you have to buy the game and its extensions, pay a subscription and, in addition, the title offers paid options in the game All this contributes to that few new players embark on this type of experience.

So many studios are trying to come up with a formula to counteract this problem.. Solving Stormhaven by choosing a “Premium” subscription is a good step, already recognized in titles like The Elder Scrolls Online or Star Wars: The Old Republic. Others, like Final Fantasy