http://www.riftgame.com/en/play-for-free/
http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/14 ... -no-traps/
http://www.riftgame.com/en/promo/freetoplay.phpTrion Worlds has just announced that fantasy MMO RIFT will be headed free-to-play on June 12th. Though former studio reps were once adamant that the game would remain a subscription MMO, the team has apparently decided it can better compete in a F2P world by being F2P. The hybrid model will include an optional sub with fully free content like dungeons and questing; consumables, cosmetics, and even gear will make up the cash shop.
FAQ
When is RIFT going free-to-play?
June 12 with the arrival of Update 2.3: Empyreal Assault, which also brings a new zone, Chronicle, raid, and more!
Why is RIFT going free-to-play?
Because players prefer free games! Trion has always been progressive with the way we've let people access RIFT, offering trials and referral offers since shortly after launch, Return to Telara events where we invited players to come back for free to see what they missed, partnerships with companies like Raptr, iGames, and others. Over the last two years, we've seen the online gaming market evolve and expand, with millions of new players in North America and Europe embracing free-to-play games. This is just the latest evolution of RIFT that will allow us to bring even more players into the world of Telara.
Why is RIFT going free-to-play now?
Because we believe the game, the market, and players are ready for the transition.
Is there still a subscription? What does it offer?
Yes! Subscribers will be known as Patrons and receive a host of special benefits and abilities:
+15% Currency (always on)
+10% Mount Speed (always on)
Daily Boost Set: Each day you can activate bonuses to the Experience, Notoriety, Favor, Prestige and Tokens you earn while playing.
Daily Summons: Instant access to your banker, guild banker, and trainer. You'll receive access to these convenience features on a set cooldown.
I'm currently a subscriber, what will this mean for me?
You'll receive all Patron benefits shown above and experience all the epic fun in RIFT you've come to expect across every character you create.
What do I get with Patron Pass?
Patron Passes give you access to the benefits of a subscription for a set amount of time. They are available for purchase via the in-game RIFT Store in 3, 15, and 30 day durations.
What do I get for purchasing the original RIFT box and the Storm Legion expansion?
Both the RIFT and Storm Legion products grant permanent unlocks to your account. Owning the base game will open extra character and bag slots, while Storm Legion will unlock the expansion Souls (Harbinger, Tempest, Tactician, and Defiler). Check out the table above for details.
How is the game going to be different after the change?
It's not! You can play free or add subscription benefits, but the game itself hasn't changed. Constant development and updates will continue. We're only changing the business model, not the heart of the game or the philosophy behind the game design that makes it so much fun.
Will there be a cash shop?
Yes – clicking the cart icon in the lower UI will open the RIFT Store! Many things will be available for both in-game gold and Credits.
What are Credits?
Credits are a game currency purchased with real money via the RIFT Store or through the Trion Worlds Account Center. Credits can be used to buy many items in RIFT.
What will be available at the RIFT Store?
Mounts, gear, boosts, companion pets, expansion Souls, services, and more.
Can I gift items to my friends?
Yes! When purchasing an item, if it has a gift button next to it, you may choose to gift it to any other player.
How will the Loyalty program work?
We'll be discussing the Loyalty program in detail over the coming weeks.
What is REX?
REX is an item that can be purchased with real money, which can be traded and sold in-game amongst players, and can be exchanged for Credits and Loyalty. We'll be going into more detail about REX in the coming weeks.
What does REX stand for?
RIFT Exchange.
Are you going to change the free-to-play offerings for RIFT in the future?
As with all of the features we add to RIFT, we will continue to make changes to the game based on feedback from our players. It's an ongoing process!
