Trion Worlds will launch the new Prime service for the MMORPG Rift this spring. This will provide premium players with dedicated servers if they maintain a subscription.
According to Trion Worlds, many players of Rift have long desired a subscription. The company is responding to this wish this spring. Originally, Rift is a free-to-play game.
Those who subscribe will be considered premium players and will receive new content that will be gradually unlocked. This includes a store where cosmetic items can be purchased.
A subscription with dedicated servers
In addition, players who want to use the Prime service will have access to all addons, allowing them to explore new continents and experience many additional adventures.
Those who use Rift Prime will see the content progress in the sequence originally intended by the developers. Content from the expansions will be unlocked gradually based on gameplay progress. Furthermore, players will receive rewards for achieved milestones and achievements.
All of this takes place on the new Prime servers, which only premium players can access. These servers offer:
- Prime servers guide you faster through the content
- You will be dynamically matched to the level of the respective zone
- Loot in dungeons is specifically adjusted to your “real” level
- Caps for professions for individual characters
- Rewards that are also unlocked for characters on other servers
- No lockboxes
Prime service aims to provide a different gaming experience
Trion Worlds views the Prime service of Rift as an experiment and addresses the wishes of fans who want a different gaming experience for the MMORPG. The exact launch of the service and the subscription price will be announced later.
Additionally, the team is working on several other ideas for Rift. This includes major changes to the PvP system and adjustments to a classic raid with new activities.
A new direction after accusations from free-to-play players: You will become pay-to-win
Mein MMO says: The development comes after a series of negative news. Critical players accused Trion Worlds of wanting to monetize the shrinking player base of Rift more aggressively and to deviate from the formerly exemplary F2P concept.
The Prime servers could now indicate a shift in philosophy. Fans of other free-to-play games often express the wish: “I would play it if it had a subscription and no other ways to spend money.” Many free-to-play players fear pay-to-win elements, which often emerge forcefully in older free-to-play MMORPGs.
Apparently, Rift is now responding to this request from frustrated free-to-play players, who feel that the monetization of their MMORPG has gone too far.
Recently, the developers and players of Rift remembered a deceased player.
