The Warhammer shooter Eternal Crusade will become Free2Play. “Blood for the Blood God” is the developers’ justification.
For some players, this comes as a surprise; others had suspected or predicted it: Warhammer 40,000: Eternal Crusade will receive a Free2Play version in March.
For players looking to enter the battlefield in the distant future for free, there are certain limitations. The most significant is likely the drastically reduced progress. Free-2-Waaagh! players will only receive a third of the experience points, severely limiting their progress. Therefore, it will take much longer to unlock upgrades, classes, and weapons.
However, those who later decide to purchase the game for $20 (the cheapest option) will receive the difference in experience points back – the system remembers the “real” value that free players would actually earn.
The name “Free to Waaagh” originates from an earlier Free2Play concept of Eternal Crusade. According to this, free players could only play as Orks – the concept was later deemed too restrictive, but the name was retained. In an interview with mmorpg.com, Nathan Richardsson reveals that a Free2Play version has been planned for a long time, but they wanted to focus on other things and the retail version before the release.
“Ultimately: Why? The answer is simple. Blood for the Blood God and Eternal Crusade, with its four factions and large battles, fully benefits from having a Free2Play version. Even paying players benefit from free players and vice versa.”
For the future, they are staying the course. There is even a plan for a release on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, fully capable of offering “crossplay”. Then people could take each other on across all platforms and wreak havoc.
Currently, first keys for the Free2Play version are being distributed, which is now being tested. Owners of the game also receive additional bonuses, such as currency for the shop or a copy of the game that they can give to friends.
Recently, Eternal Crusade has been receiving patches more rapidly.
