http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=249595

Lord of the Rings Online is set to become a free-to-play MMO when a major update is released this autumn.

Turbine's new pricing model allows players to download the game and play for free, purchase expansions, quest packs, items, and account services a la carte from the new LOTRO Store, the developer says.

Players can also opt to join a VIP program to get unlimited access to all of the game's content for one price, it adds.

A beta program for the free-to-play model will kick off on June 16, and you can sign up for it over on the official site.

"Turbine's Dungeons and Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited was the world's first truly premium free-to-play online game that ushered in a new era of choice for online gamers seeking quality entertainment," said Turbine boss, Jim Crowley of the move.

"The popularity of DDO validated the extraordinary demand by gamers for quality entertainment they can experience at their own pace and within their budget. Extending free-to-play to LOTRO will offer another premium game to a broad spectrum of fans."

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Wow, DDO must really have been a smashing success if they're making LOTRO free. That's a pretty great MMO, I might have to get back into it now!

YES! A good free-to-play MMO other than Guild Wars! I absolutely LOVE MMORPGs, but can't afford most of them due to the monthly fees.

*Tears of joy*

Just saw this on gaf.  Hoooooly shiiiiit.

This is the one MMO I've really liked, but I could never justify paying a monthly fee after the beta ended.  I will totally be getting in on this!

I played LOTR Online a long time ago.

Why are they doing it? They can't get much revenue by letting it free.

"Turbine's new pricing model allows players to download the game and play for free, purchase expansions, quest packs, items, and account services a la carte from the new LOTRO Store, the developer says.

Players can also opt to join a VIP program to get unlimited access to all of the game's content for one price, it adds."

Actually, when Turbine made Dungeons & Dragons Online free-to-play, revenue increased by 500%.

http://techdirt.com/articles/20100331/1631278819.shtml

meh. i have yet to try this game. maybe ill try a free trial or even just give it a whirl when it is free. i love LOTR but i never really got excited for this game.

I love Turbines new direction. I've been champion this model for 6 years with rant posts :P

People will spend money at there own pace. Usually small bite sizes are easier than massive chunks.

Takes the CCG vs RPG. CCG are $10 initial investement then 3-5 dollar increments at your own pace. Where as RPG are $30-90 for the initial investment and that's all you need. Most CCG consumers end up spending FAR MORE than the RPG. It's easier to spend small amounts over a greater period of time.

It takes a considerable amount of convincing to get people to spend larger investements amounts. Blizzard's got the rep. Most other companies don't. The small bite size model is far more money gathering than large monthly costs.

But those things only give peanut money. The only thing peoeple are paying big money for (apart from subscriptions) is in-game items and upgrades, stuff that boosts progress in the game.