The Dark Fantasy MMORPG The Secret World wants to make another attempt. A relaunch is planned for 2017.
Funcom has released quarterly figures: Conan Exiles is a hit, two additional projects are underway, but the surprise: The Secret World is set to get a relaunch. The MMORPG has been relatively quiet for the past few months. Now we also know why: Funcom is planning something big.
The relaunch is set to take place in the coming months, in the first half of 2017. The relaunch activities are planned to begin by the end of March.
The goal of the relaunch of The Secret World is to reach more players. Plans include the following:
- making the entry into the game easier
- improving gameplay, including the combat system
- Funcom wants to introduce new systems to keep players engaged, such as daily rewards
- The business model will be revised. Currently, DLCs are paid, Funcom is discussing offering story content for free
The Secret World was released in 2012 between Guild Wars 2 and Diablo 3. It is considered a well-written MMORPG with a unique atmosphere and great stories. However, the gameplay and combat system have been criticized from the start. The Secret World does not have traditional classes, but rather a skill wheel through which players develop their characters.
Unlike most MMORPGs, The Secret World features a contemporary setting – the basic idea is: “What would our world be like if all conspiracy theories and urban legends were true?”
The focus of the game is on story elements and unusual quests that require players to solve puzzles and approach tasks with much thought compared to other MMORPGs.
Change in the payment model of The Secret World hinted at
The Secret World was never a huge success, but it has a loyal fan base and is considered a hidden gem among MMORPG enthusiasts, focusing on story and an extraordinary setting. Already in spring 2015, The Secret World tried to “become more beginner-friendly.” Apparently, Funcom is now seriously planning to tackle this again.
It could be interesting to see what the new payment model will look like. Currently, The Secret World is “Buy2Play” – the base game is often available at a bargain price. The main sources of income are likely purchaseable DLCs – the same model is used by The Elder Scrolls Online.
A switch to a Free2Play model with a more pronounced cash shop is possible.
More about The Secret World can be found here:
The Secret World: The best single-player MMO you have never played
