Tomorrow, Free Realms is launching! I strongly suggest that everyone give it a try, because even if it’s “not your thing” the client tech is pretty freaking badass and hopefully we’ll see it reused in a future SOE game. This is exactly the thing that this market needs right now, so make sure you get in early and try it before it blows up.
And for those who think the recession is going to hurt games like this – that’s where you’re dead wrong. The recession is going to hurt your $15/month subscription based game. Games like Free Realms where you can play for free and pay a little here and a little there… are going to flat out flourish in this economy. You might see it as “charge charge charge” or “nickle and diming people” but in actual reality – it’s allowing more people to get into the MMO space without the barrier of a fee. More kids will be experiencing online multiplayer worlds in North America because of Free Realms, and that’s a great thing for our industry.
Here’s to good luck SOE, and I look forward to seeing some revenue metrics in the coming months while you’re taking over the world.
Screenshot from the Free Realms party in Seaside last night
Tami Baribeau is the Associate Producer for Metaplace, Inc, currently working on Island Life. She is also the Lead Editor of feminist gaming blog The Border House, and the National Facebook Games Examiner for Examiner.com. She can be reached on Twitter or by email.
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I really like Free Realms and I've enjoyed testing it. I also think you're right regarding your industry/recession comments, although I also think the caliber of F2P/Freemium games has improved with several new titles (Atlantica Online, Runes of Magic, Wizard101 and Free Realms, most notably). My only concern is that the launch feels rushed. Beta was extremely short and I think there might still be some issues to iron out.
Regardless, it's a fun game and I think SOE has a hit on their hands!
~Ripper