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<\/p>\nThere is a massive shift in the MMO space right now, with the subscription model being rapidly replaced by a free-to-play model which relies on micro-transactions to make cash.<\/p>\n
World of Tanks is a great example of a game which costs nothing to install and play, but has been successfully luring players into spending significant amounts of cash on in-game items. Of course there are dozens of other examples, I just felt like punting my personal favourite free-to-play MMO.<\/p>\n
The trend has also swallowed the likes of AAA MMORPGs like Age of Conan, Star Trek Online, Lord of the Rings Online and DC Universe Online.<\/p>\n
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World of Warcraft has until now ignored this trend, and going on what Blizzard boss Mike Morhaime told Eurogamer<\/a> in an interview, this is not likely to change anytime soon.<\/p>\n “For us, and even for EA with the Star Wars game, I think that the value that you get for the $15 a month is just unmatched,” said Morhaime.<\/p>\n “I don’t think you can get that amount of entertainment value anywhere. I’d put the $15 up against anything.<\/p>\n “I think that there’s an underlying – a fundamental assumption right now, that the less you charge, the more money you make. Which isn’t true. And it doesn’t necessarily make for a better game. I mean, everybody likes free… I think that definitely, players have seen a lot of really great quality free-to-play experiences, but I’m not sure it’s the best model for us right now.”<\/p>\n “I think it is a very difficult market to compete in, I think it’s very expensive to make these games, especially if you’re expecting people to pay a monthly fee just to play the game,” he said.<\/p>\n “And so there are very few companies that can compete at that high level with those types of budgets.<\/p>\n “Definitely if you’re not charging anybody, they’re going to be a lot more forgiving about the experience they have. They haven’t paid anything. So in terms of developers entering the market, I can understand why a lot of games might choose to go free-to-play.”<\/p>\n And he is probably right, because World of Warcraft’s subscription model continues to be ridiculously profitable.<\/p>\n Blizzard has also announced their fourth expansion to WoW, Mists of Pandaria<\/a>, which will likely generate another fat pile of cash for the company.<\/p>\n \n![](\"\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/wow_cataclysm_Worgen_Druid_in_Flight_Form_in_Hyjal_193321576.jpg\")
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