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APB payment model, launch date, and pre-order revealed
Realtime Worlds' forthcoming urban crime MMORPG All Points Bulletin has finally been dated. The title will launch in North America on June 29 and on July 2 in Europe. In addition to the street date, Realtime Worlds has unveiled the payment model, which looks to parcel out sections of game play via micro payments. The retail client will be available digitally or in stores ($49.99/£34.99/€49.99) and will include 50 hours of 'action' game play plus unlimited time in the social districts. These districts include character customizing, socializing, and marketplace trading. Once you burn through your initial 50 hours of action play, you can purchase an additional 20 hours for $6.99 (£5.59, €6.29) or opt for the 30-day 'unlimited' package at $9.99 (£7.99, €8.99). There will also be 90 and 180 day discounts available. Your retail box (or download) will also include 100 RTW points which can be put towards additional game time and other perks to be announced. Players will be able to convert their in-game customizations into items that can be traded to friends or put on the marketplace. RTW points can also be converted to game time or in-game currency. Realtime Worlds also announced the pre-order perks for All Points Bulletin. Early customers will get 10 hours of additional action game time, a key to the city which allows pre-launch event access, exclusive clothing, decals, emotes, and a custom vehicle. Check out the pre-order video as well as the launch press release. [Thanks to APB-evolved.com for the heads up!]
EQ2 unveils new sub options with Passport
Sony Online Entertainment has introduced a new payment model for its flagship Everquest II fantasy MMORPG. The Passport, announced today on the official site, looks to offer an alternative method for gamers with budget issues, gaming infidelity, or multiboxing tendencies to get their Norrath fix. The Passport option costs a measly five dollars, and nets you three full days of gameplay per 30-day period. As the announcement makes clear, the option is ideally suited to those with an occasional interest in the game. Maybe you want to make sure you get to all the seasonal events, play with your friends one weekend a month, or bring up an alt account to help you out on a raid. With the new Passport that's all doable, and affordable. As a bonus, you can make use of the Passport to log in for special 'claim' items without having an active account. The only caveat is that the Passport is only available to existing inactive or closed accounts. Check out the press release on the official site for more details. [Thanks Jason!]
DCUO concept art hints at subscription plan?
Our friends over at DCUOSource have unearthed an interesting tidbit regarding the forthcoming DC Universe Online MMORPG. Sony Online Entertainment's superhero extravaganza has been shrouded in secrecy for awhile now, and speculation has run rampant about what's percolating in the depths of their batcave. Fans have questions about everything from game mechanics to subscription models, and some interesting images of a possible DCUO web site re-design may shed some light on the latter. Apparently a web designer has included images of a new DCUO web site in his online portfolio, and as DCUOSource's Vicious points out, one of them contains verbiage relating to a 14-day trial. Could SOE opt for a traditional subscription model for those of us looking to fight alongside the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight? Check out the images as well as the resulting discussion thread. [Thanks Vicious!]
