LOTR Online goes free-to-play

Online RPG The Lord of the Rings Online will receive a major update this Q3 allowing gamers to play the title entirely for free.

The MMO currently adopts a subscription-based payment model which costs players 8.99 per month. New gamers also have access to a ten-day free trial.

From this autumn players will be able to play up until level 50 for free. Past this there will be an additional fee required, with paid-for credits also available to exchange for in-game items. Players will also be able to choose between paying for a monthly subscription or micro-transactional credits up to level 60.

A Codemasters rep confirmed to MCV that those who have previously purchased a lifetime subscription will receive lump sums of points to spend in-game.

We are very pleased to make The Lord of the Rings Online free-to-play in Europe,” said VP and general manager of Codemasters Online David Solari.

It’s an award-winning game with a wonderfully realised world and this step will only broaden its appeal and increase its player base.”

Three other MMOs published by Codemasters were previously made free to play – RF Online, Archlord and Dungeons and Dragons Online.

The world’s most popular MMO World of Warcraft adopts a monthly payment model but recently added paid-for items. Comparatively popular RPG RuneScape adopts a free-to-play model with subscriptions.