If you watched the above clip, you definitely are left with the very strong impression that The Secret World is going to abolish their subscription model. Today, 12-12-12 the game officially converted to a buy to play format. The conversion isn’t unexpected since the game launched with a cash shop already present and Funcom’s other titles are already free-to-play.
Here is a break down of the tiers of membership:
- Free to Play: no restrictions on existing content
- Subscription: same current pricing model
- Time Accelerator
- increases experience gain for defeating monsters by 100% for 1 hour, 16 hour cool-down
- $10 worth of Bonus Points monthly
- Item-of-the-month gift monthly
- 10% discount to everything in the cash shop
- Grandmasters: current lifetime members receive everything a subscription member receives plus
- An additional 10% discount on everything in the cash shop
Through the remainder of this month, there is a 30% discount on the purchase of NEW 3, 6, or 12 month subscriptions. The game costs $30US and is available directly from Funcom. Also previous purchases of the Initiate Pack before December 2012 will be receive a refund, of sorts, of 1,800 Bonus Points.
Issues, aka game updates, 1-4 are included with the conversion to the new payment model. Starting in January 2013 with the release of Issue #5, Issues will be considered Downloadable Content (DLC) and will be available for purchase via cash or bonus points. Members and Grandmasters will have access to Issues as part of their subscription model. DLC will be $5 in pricing but if you have a registered game account before 31 December 2012, Issue #5 will be no charge.
Be forewarned, TSW has hands down the ugliest character models I have ever seen in a game. The game is fun, especially if you like to solve complex quests and puzzles that require you to think. The conversion should bring a large influx of players into the game, but the character customization may not retain potential subscribers.
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