Codies make futuristic MMO RF Online a freebie
While it seems as if everyone and their brother has it in their head to release an MMO these days, most of these fall flat on on their faces before even being released, and those that do make it to retail face the unenviable task of drawing players away from the likes of World of Warcraft or Club Penguin. What's a publisher to do? Well in the case of Codemasters and the CCR-developed RF Online, you make the game free and cross your fingers hoping that people care enough to come play.
Codies officials today confirmed that RF Online, which launched in February 2006 to a host of mediocre reviews, is now "completely free" to download and play with no monthly subscription, complete with a newly released content update, Episode II: Pioneers of Novus.
The move smacks of desperation on the part of publisher, and echoes a similar effort with its poorly received MMO ArchLord, which was made free to play earlier this year. According to Codemasters, since that time the game has seen its player base grow by 700%...and if that figure translated to any money whatsoever that would mean something. As it stands, sure, anyone is willing to try anything once if it's free. We just wonder how long the company can continue to sustain these types of games without generating dollar one.
