We're back with the latest episode of our F2Pmeter which puts the free-to-play-ness of ArcheAge to a test. This fantasy title claims itself to be a next-gen massively multiplayer online role-playing game due to its goal to remove restrictions in regard to character classes and skills while maintaining the most appreciated elements of classic MMO RPGs.
The sandbox world of ArcheAge lets players decide for themselves what they want to do, whether joining friends in a team to participate in player versus player combat or constructing their very own house and crafting items to decorate it.
Let's remember that our testing candidates begin with a 100% of free-to-play-ness, and depending on how our questions have to be answered, this percentage will change.
No. All you have to do is register for an account and download the client to be able to begin your journey across the fantasy sandbox world of ArcheAge, which is completely free of charge.
Yes (optional) – -15%. ArcheAge offers Patron status to paying customers which provides them with a variety of bonuses such as the ability of claiming land in order to place farms and houses, boosts on XP gains, an increased maximum Labour Point cap, bonus online and offline Labor Point regeneration, and much more.
No. There haven’t been any bigger expansions to the game yet given that the westernised version was only released a few months ago. Smaller patches and updates all have been made available for free to all players.
Yes – -5%. Players are able to spend real-world currency in in-game marketplace of ArcheAge in order to get access to various items that allow for aesthetic customisation or commodities.
No. Paying members of the community may only get their hands on either convenience items (XP gain boosters, etc.) or cosmetic items (esthetical customisation of gear, pets, vehicles, etc.) which enable the customer to save time or provide characters with a unique appearance without conveying any gameplay advantages. In addition, Patron players typically sell items that can only be purchased with real-world money for the regular in-game currency, thus F2P players basically have access to all those premium items as well.
No. There aren’t any UI customisation options available for purchase; all players are free to completely customise their UI.
Yes. Every player is granted access to each of the eight races in ArcheAge. The same applies to the skill sets which substitute the conventional concept of character classes. However, players are initially only allowed two characters in total regardless of the server, meaning they have to purchase additional slots in the form of correspondent items.
Yes (but...) – -5%. As Patron players are the only ones allowed to use the auction system by default, other users have to buy an AH license available for in-game currency, resulting in the fact that the obvious restrictions in regards to the in-game market can easily be circumvented.
Yes (but...) – -5%. There are scrolls available for purchase with real-world cash as well as in-game currency, which allow for expanding the player’s initially limited inventory space. However, as already mentioned before, the entirety of items available is also offered in the in-game market for regular in-game money, so that we could finally come to the conclusion that there aren’t any real limits.
Yes. Players aren’t face with restriction concerning access to areas and dungeons.
No. In regards to high-end content, ArcheAge doesn’t restrict players in any way.
Yes – +10%. Given that it’s pretty much unfeasible to get unfair advantages by paying real-world cash, ArcheAge ultimately seems to be quite fair for everyone. There are only items available for purchase with timesaving or cosmetic purposes, which are additionally made available to free-to-play users for in-game currency by paying community members, resulting in a game that’s perfectly playable without spending a single dime.
Our F2Pmeter test of ArcheAge results in an 80% of free-to-play-ness.
I don`t understand why you deleted my comment, i didn`t use any bad words or anything, i just want people to know this game is not F2P friendly at all
i removed the part of the text that were kind of rude and i apologise for it, it was wrong. please don`t delete this comment /:
Micro transaction doesn`t provide advange? have you even played the game? people can buy APEX which gives premium currenci to anyone who buy it, people sell them at the auction house. yes, this sounds like f2p heave and i though that too, then i realise i had to work my ass off you to get some gold, and keep buying apex every month. the problem is that APEX price sky rockets, every day it increases around 10 Gold. so as a f2p you`re just a slave, you have to work to keep your patron status and if you lose it you lose your houses
and the fact that people sell APEX for gold means that people that put a lot of MONEY on the game will have lots of GOLD, so players can buy GOLD for MONEY. MICRO TRANSACTION DOESN`T GIVE ADVANTEJE?? APEX are a micro transaction but it is not buyable whit Premium currency, only whit Credit card so it doesn`t show on the store but yes in the website.