14 DAY TRIAL // Global Agenda, the MMO shooter created by Hi-Rez Studio, is no longer using a monthly subscription fee to generate revenue. Those who are interested in seeing what the game has to offer will only need to pay in order to get the basic package and any expansions that they see as delivering good content.
Todd Harris, who is the executive producer working on Global Agenda, stated, “Hi-Rez Studios is committed to delivering the best value in PC gaming. One purchase of Global Agenda lets you experience all content forever with no subscription.” The Sandstorm expansion, which is coming this summer, will also be free to all who buy the game but future expansions will require players to pay again, with Hi-Rez aiming to support the entire MMO through their sale. Apparently, the developer currently has no plans to offer micro transactions in Global Agenda. At the moment, gamers can head over to Steam and pick up the MMO for a reduced price, as part of the summer sales season that Valve’s service is promoting.
A trend seems to be building in the MMO world, with quite a few titles dropping their subscription-based model. Atari made Dungeons & Dragons Online free to play a while ago, with a store set up for those players interested in better gear and more options in their adventures, and the game seems to be performing better than ever at the moment. Turbine has also announced that The Lord of the Rings Online is going free to play in an effort to increase the player base, with a VIP mode included for those who wish to play to get more content.
A model similar to that announced for Global Agenda is also employed by Guild Wars, the MMO built by ArenaNet, which could expand and improve it for the upcoming sequel.