Sony Online Entertainment's new family-friendly online game Free Realms has exploded out of the gate, with more than one million registered users within 17 days of launch.

Free Realms is a free-to-play massively-multiplayer online game that combines puzzle games, pet raising, card dueling, exploration, and combat into one colorful and attractive package. So attractive that more than a million users have signed up for the game since launch, a fact that has SOE's John Smedley all a' flutter.

"The excitement surrounding Free Realms, and the positive response the game has already received, is overwhelming," said John Smedley, president of Sony Online Entertainment. "To achieve this milestone so rapidly speaks to the quality and the fun gameplay experience Free Realms offers to players of all ages."

To celebrate the quickly achieved milestone, SOE is giving all current Free Realms players with a limited edition Free Realms t-shirt for their character. On top of the t-shirt, the first 999,999 registered users are also getting a matching shirt for their pet and 200 Station Cash to purchase in game items. The 1 millionth registered user gets an even bigger prize: a lifetime premium membership, a one-of-a-kind astronaut suit, and 10,000 Station Cash.

I've been playing the game myself since launch, and I have to say that it's extremely addictive...and not just the premium bits either. There are just so many different things to do, and none of the posturing you find from the "elite" players in other MMO titles. If you play, send a friend request to Mochrie Shadowdancer, and I will try to resist the urge to hide from you.

http://kotaku.com/5256072/more-than-a-million-flock-to-free-realms

impressive.. even though its free.. but i think its a good idea to addict console audience to MMOs

awesome. I am tempted to try myself.

1 million people flocked to Warhammer online too.
We all know what happened a few months later.......

Read about that a while ago, just amazing numbers to say the least. Say if 1% are paying customers they have already made a whole $50k. :O

This is a long term thing though (duhhh) so looks like SOE will make back their money on this one and more.

But its a free MMO.. so there is $0 revenue... but its a good way to get the people started on MMO.. and i think they are planning for multiple MMO release on PS3 .. so this is release seems more like testing the waters..

It is like Home...it is free but if you want some special clothes you have to pay.... The devs are hoping that many will get some stuff so they will have enough profit;

No you can get a subscription, something like $5 a month and you get all the trimmings. There is definitely a subscription option for sure.

wot u mean by trimmings.? extra stuff?