This latest instalment of our F2Pmeter series is dedicated to Ankama's turn-based 2D MMORPG Wakfu, which lately abandoned its subscription-based monetarisation model (which included a free starting area but restricted nearly every high-level area and activity for non-paying players) and adopted an open and fairly classical F2P business model.

Wakfu features 15 different races and classes, tactical turn-based combat that resembles old classics such as Final Fantasy Tactics, stunning 2D graphics and a marvellous art direction. All sounds pretty attractive, but... can it really be played for free?

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.

So here we go!

No. Even before changing its monetarisation model, Wakfu already allowed everyone to register a free account and start playing without being charged.

 

 

Yes (optional) – -15%. Players aren’t forced to pay for a subscription in order to play, but are offered two different kinds of "booster packs" for purchase, with a duration of 7 and 30 days respectively, which contain XP/ currency/ drop boosts, EP boost for secondary characters, early access to new content, and other perks. Those packs essentially function as optional non-recurring subscriptions.

 

 

No. Prior to the business model change, content updates were made available to subscribers for free and now with the F2P model active, additional content is released for free and available to all players. However, purchasers of booster packs are granted early access.

 

 

Yes – -5%. Wakfu incorporates a cash shop that offers cosmetic and convenience items, decorations and much more for purchase.

 

 

No. None of the items offered in the store apparently convey any concrete in-game advantage over non-paying users, as the things for purchase primarily range from time savers to cosmetic items like costumes, housing decoration, pets, mounts, sidekicks, and so on, only allowing customers to level up faster and earn more currency.

 

 

No. There are no customisation options whatsoever which could be purchased.

 

 

Yes. The entirety of the 15 available classes and races in the game can be accessed for free by every player.

 

 

No. The new free-to-play model grants everyone access to the auction house.

 

 

No. All players are provided with the same number of storage slots; the inventory can be expanded through gameplay with in-game items.

 

 

Yes. According to what we were able to find out, there don’t seem to be any locations only paying users would have access to.

 

 

No (but...) – -5%. The sole restriction non-paying players are seemingly face with concerns voting during the elections for the nation’s governor, which is only allowed to those who have an active booster pack.

 

 

Yes – +10%. In our opinion, Wakfu absolutely allows for being fully enjoyed without taking out your wallet. Non-paying user perhaps advance more slowly in comparison to their paying fellows, but apart from being excluded from elections, their play isn’t restricted in any other way.

 

 

Our F2Pmeter test of Wakfu results in a 85% of free-to-play-ness.

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 20th, 2014 at 5:58 pm and is filed under Articles, MMO News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Puedes dejar una respuesta, o un trackback desde tu sitio web.