Lord of the Rings Online: Free-to-Play Starts Today!
Lord of the Rings Online produced by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and created by Turbine Inc. is now free-to-play (F2P)!
Although the game is free to sign up for and begin, expansions, quest packs, items and other account services can be purchased from the LOTRO Store. There is also a VIP program that grants unlimited access to all of the game’s content for one low price.
Senior Vice President Jeff Junge had the following to say about LOTRO going F2P. “Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is bringing quality games based on The Lord of the Rings to multiple platforms, and the franchise’s expansive adventure story lends itself perfectly for LOTRO freeto-play, giving a wide range of players the opportunity to experience the game.” Junge then added, We are focused on expanding our game franchises onto new digital platforms to maximize quality experiences for gamers worldwide and LOTRO’s new model is agreat leading example of this.”
In connection with Turbine’s other F2P game, Dungeons and Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited, President and CEO of Turbine Jim Crowley had the following to say: “Turbine’s Dungeons and Dragons Online®: Eberron Unlimited™ was the world’s first truly premium free-to-play online game that ushered in a new era of choice for online gamers seeking qualityentertainment. The popularity of DDO validated the extraordinary demand by gamers for quality entertainment they can experience at their own pace and within their budget. Extending free-to-play to LOTRO will offer another premium game to a broad spectrum of fans.””
Gamers who wish to sign up for today’s launch of the free-to-play Lord of the Rings Online Beta click here.
I’m eager to see how this pans out for them; I’m rather sure it’s a smart move given the nature of the free to play market and how well it’s doing.