The Secret World is Going Free-to-Play
Funcom’s fantasy-horror MMO The Secret World is adopting a free-to-play business model, and is being renamed Secret World Legends. A letter from producer, Scott Junior, explains some of the reasoning behind this change, but in short, the fine folks over at Funcom felt that the time was right for a graphical update and changes to the combat system, in addition to changes to the interface and tutorial sections. Thus, we have Secret World Legends.
As with any MMO that switches from a paid model to a free-to-play one, questions arise about cosmetics and subscriptions, and to that end, Funcom has some answers in place. In short, all the original content will be made available immediately, with the endgame areas coming later, and players will be able to transfer over some of the cosmetics and vanity items purchased in-game. Further story expansions, new to Secret World are planned as well, but the Secret World Legends servers are a fresh start for everyone, so characters and names must be reclaimed.
If anything, this reinforces the idea that a free-to-play model for MMOs cannot be avoided. Even after The Secret World dropped the subscription-based model and moved into a solely buy-to-play version, it was not enough to stem the tide. Closed Beta signups for Secret World Legends are ongoing, with no release date in sight, though Funcom is aiming for a “spring” launch date.
OSLO, Norway – March 29, 2017 – Funcom is excited to announce that their acclaimed story-driven game The Secret World will be relaunched this spring as Secret World Legends, a shared-world action RPG with completely revamped combat, a newly designed progression system, and updated visuals. The game’s full collection of missions and mysteries will be free to play, with over 100 hours of mature storytelling and surprises. Players can sign up for Secret World Legends’ beta at www.SecretWorldLegends.com.
“Over the course of five years, The Secret World has created a truly memorable RPG universe that stands out to this day for the uniqueness of its dark setting and tone, the depth of its quest design, and the high quality of its voice acting throughout,” said Rui Casais, CEO of Funcom. “Secret World Legends uses that foundation to mark a new era for the game, offering a fresh start for newcomers and long-time fans alike, delivering a captivating journey that can be enjoyed entirely on your own or with friends.”
Secret World Legends plunges players into a shadowy war against the supernatural in an adventure that crosses our world with the realms of ancient myth and legend. As players traverse the globe unraveling complex investigations into the unknown, they’ll need to uncover clues and use their own wits as much as their characters’ abilities. A highly extensive and customizable arsenal of firearms, weapons, gear and otherworldly powers will give players the strength to battle the forces of darkness as they dig deeper into these vast and mysterious lands. Players can go at it alone and enjoy the over 100 hours of story at their own pace, or team up with others as they explore the world and unravel its mysteries.
“One of our biggest goals in relaunching the game has been to reimagine the core gameplay experience in a way befitting a modern-day action RPG,” said Scott Junior, executive producer. “Secret World Legends features combat that feels more natural, deep systems that are more intuitive, better structuring of the early game for new players, and improved mission flow to strengthen the pace of progression for players.”
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