Ashes of Creation by Intrepid Studios is doing a lot of interesting things in the MMO space, but many fans want to know if you’ll need to pay a monthly sub. The discussion on free-to-play and subscription MMOs is always a tense one — some games wind up being pay-to-win, and others shoehorn in tons of extra microtransactions to make up for a lack of a subscription. However, Intrepid Studios is doing something intriguing with its upcoming MMO.
The developers have listened to the fans in the past, and while yes, Ashes of Creation will have a monthly sub fee, there are some other positives to keep in mind as this game continues its development. Here’s what you have to look forward to.
Ashes of Creation does have a monthly sub, but no “box cost”
Ashes of Creation will have a monthly sub fee of $14.99 USD, but there are some caveats to keep in mind. There is no region locking, and certain regions will have what the developers call “harmonized” subscription prices. This is to keep the cost of the game fair and balanced for that region. This is to reflect the local economy of certain countries, instead of making the game too expensive to potentially play.
In addition, there is no “box price,” so you don’t have to actually buy the game first, like you do with the various WoW expansions or Final Fantasy 14. The developers confirmed that expansions/DLC will not cost more than the normal subscription, which is great news for MMO players on a budget.
You can also use Intrepid Bucks, which are earned through their refer-a-friend program, to reduce your subscription cost, which is also an interesting concept. However, for those worried about the game's cost, the monthly sub is reasonable for Ashes of Creation.
In addition, the developers, as of this writing, do not feel battle passes are a good fit for this MMORPG, so you shouldn’t expect those to be shoehorned in alongside your subscription, for the time being.
There are also some players who will not have a monthly sub — anyone who backed this game at the Braver of Worlds level or higher has a lifetime subscription. The developers stated this won’t be offered again, similar to what Star Trek Online did at launch.
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