World of Warcraft is a testament of time. Every time it looks like subscriber numbers are irreparably dwindling, Blizzard manages to suck dedicated fans right back in. Last year that came in the form of Warlords of Draenor, which served as a rather fantastic expansion for the ever popular MMO. This year, it’s a new feature that will allow you to play World of Warcraft for free. Sort of.
Blizzard has revealed WoW Tokens, which can be purchased in-game, with in-game currency, to increase subscription time. The Tokens are made available initially through the game’s store for real-world cash, after which they can be sold on the in-game auction house. Players can purchase the tokens from other players using in-game gold, after which it becomes soulbound (meaning they can’t sell it again for a profit).
What this essentially means is that truly dedicated players could end up reducing World of Warcraft to a free-to-play title, without all the extra baggage that usually follows a transformation like that. There’s no idea yet as to how much the Tokens will cost, so it’s still up in air the over how feasible the entire system will end up being.
It’s a logical move for a number of reasons. New players can already dive into World of Warcraft for free up until level 10, so being able to carry on playing purely off in-game gold could easily entice those put off by the monthly subscription. It also gives existing, on-the-fence players a reason to hang around for a bit. Having to pay for a game you aren’t getting as much time into is a good reason to give it up, but if you’re able to fund game time through playing it changes the dynamic drastically.
EVE Online did the same a few years ago with their PLEX system, and it seemed to work especially well with players deciding whether to continue the addiction or not. If you’re on the fence about continuing to shell out monthly for World of Warcraft, this Token system could easily make up your mind. If you play enough, and the price is fair, free World of Warcraft certainly sounds like a deal and a bit.
Last Updated: March 3, 2015
Admiral Chief
March 3, 2015 at 10:37
WoW, that is impressive
Pariah
March 3, 2015 at 10:50
*slow clap*
Captain JJ the damned
March 3, 2015 at 10:40
I like this. It could really work. Unfortunately with my uneven work times and such it’s difficult for me to always justify a monthly payment if I can’t always get around to playing the game.
Hammersteyn
March 3, 2015 at 10:53
I really cant figure out why they don’t sell hours? Charge you only for the time you play for instance.
Pariah
March 3, 2015 at 10:53
Less $$$$
Hammersteyn
March 3, 2015 at 10:56
and less subscribers.
Captain JJ the damned
March 3, 2015 at 10:55
Then I would probably consider it.
Hammersteyn
March 3, 2015 at 10:57
Ditto, I don’t have time for Planetside at the moment. But it wont ask me to renew my subscription next time I log in.
Admiral Chief
March 3, 2015 at 11:02
Aye, I’m too busy in STALKER anyway
Hammersteyn
March 3, 2015 at 10:52
I could learn how to speak Xhosa for free. But I wont.
DrKiller
March 3, 2015 at 11:22
You should! Think of all the new friends you could meet
Kromas Votes LAG WCMovie Event
March 3, 2015 at 11:05
This is basically all about managing the money. This has nothing to do with helping out subs or getting new players invested. It is purely the ONLY way to counter gold sellers (major problem for WoW since it’s initial launch). Hell it is a legal way for me to gain some quick gold not that I need it but I know many people who need some quick gold for something or the other (usually mounts or pets).
Lardus-Resident Perve
March 3, 2015 at 11:16
Nooooo! Stop tempting me!!
Ross Woofels Mason
March 3, 2015 at 12:26
I have odd 60’000 gold sitting in my inactive WoW account. If buying 1 month subscription will let be buy another 3odd in subscription time I am game.
Blizzard suck my souls with all their other games as it is Q.Q
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
March 3, 2015 at 16:27
If WOW goes free, I will be back in there… rubbing against my gryphon, using my female character to score loot off horny male players and …. rolling a panderan.
Norm
March 4, 2015 at 10:35
Word.
Tulipdame
March 4, 2015 at 02:21
I don’t do subscriptions in the first place. Especially not this expensive. I only have XBL Gold and EA Access, but they give me free games and allow multiplayer. And two gold accounts and EA Access costs me R150 a month. And I get much more from it. Well, my opinion.
xcovick
March 4, 2015 at 04:44
I don’t like free! just kidding 🙂 , This is not a surprise to me cause as expected from bliz.
Norm
March 4, 2015 at 10:35
I can imagine the amount of gold farming required for this will be high.