Archlord Dismisses $10 PLAYplus Pricing Scheme

Publisher Codemasters confirmed Archlord MMORPG will experience a slight delay than previously anticipated, with an October 2nd US release date followed by an October 6th launch in Europe. Unfortunately, Codemasters gave up the greatly hyped PLAYplus system in favor of a unique subscription package, the standard monthly MMO payment model. The publisher is currently evaluating a series of in-game rewards for the game's most loyal players, to compensate for the loss in an attempt to build up the community needed for such a socially inclined title.

"We have listened to our community and delivered. From the start of the test of the PLAYplus system, we had an open dialogue with players to monitor reactions to the system. Thanks to their feedback and continued support, we are pleased to confirm that ArchLord will now launch with a single standard subscription package," said Codemasters Online Gaming director of marketing Ed Reef.

The PLAYplus payment scheme presented players with a wide array of monthly subscription packages, providing choices that better suited each individual's play style. Since progress in the world of Archlord is fairly dependant on paid- for buffs, this could have appealed to casual players and gamers that do not have nearly enough time to spend in an MMO. Following the beta experience where players tested the system firsthand, Codemasters felt the project would not meet its desired effect, thus renouncing a rather intriguing option which many players invoked as a particular Archlord advantage.

The title will now launch with the standard monthly subscription of UK £8.99, US $14.99, Europe €12.99, not counting taxes. Within this pricing scheme, Codemasters include a number of credits for players to exchange for buffs and items within the game universe. Since all players receive the same amount of credits, this will provide a level playing field for all subscribers, as opposed to the PLAYplus concept. I find it deeply disturbing for Codemasters to change such an important aspect of the game's mechanics just weeks before launch.