'Guild Wars 2' becomes free-to-play ahead of 'Heart of Thorns' release
Game developer ArenaNet has finally made the base game of "Guild Wars 2" free-to-play ahead of the release date of the "Heart of Thorns" expansion.
For ArenaNet, the Guild Wars 2 free-to-play scheme is the answer to the massively multiplayer online (MMO) role-playing game's lack of new players, despite it being around for several years. Players who want to venture beyond the base game have the option to purchase the expansions or level up their characters, according to Tech Times.
Unlike other MMOs that require a base price or monthly subscription payment, ArenaNet has chosen to let their customers pay a one-time charge. In an interview with GameSpot, the firm's president Mike O'Brien explained that they will not alter the buying method for their customers, the Inquisitr reports.
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"So let's be clear that when we say Guild Wars 2 is buy-to-play, we're only asking you to buy one thing: the current release, Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns," Tech Times quotes ArenaNet's statement. "We're not changing the way people purchase cosmetic items or adding a bunch of new items in the store. Guild Wars 2 will remain the same game it always has been."
O'Brien added that players should not think that ArenaNet is planning to milk cash out of them. He said they are only trying to make the Guild Wars 2 base game available to all players. If they love the game, then they will go ahead and buy the Heart of Thorns expansion, the report relays.
As part of the free-to-play scheme, ArenaNet has implemented three changes in the entry of new players. First, free players will have access to a lesser number of characters. Second, chat and economy options will be limited. Third, free accounts are not allowed to go to places where they could disrupt the situation.
Guild Wars 1: Heart of Thorns expansion is set to be released on Oct. 23.
