Joining the ranks of other popular MMORPGs (such as City of Heroes and Champions Online) adopting a "hybrid" free-to-play/subscription model, Perfect World's Star Trek Online is now available to play for free. The free-to-play floodgates were opened on January 5th for former subscribers, but now anyone can download and play through the majority of the spacefaring MMORPG absolutely free.
Being a "silver player" does have some restrictions when compared to someone who maintains an active subscription, but not as many as you may think. Silver players have access to all of STO's actual content -- all the patrols, exploration missions, Fleet Actions, even Foundry Missions (player-created missoins). For those things that can be purchased with real money, there's even a way to trade in-game currency for C-Store points to finance much of it.
Barboursville resident Bruce Bishop welcomes the change to a game he's played on and off since it came out. "There are so many MMO choices nowadays," he says, "especially since Star Wars just came out. It's nice to have so many free-to-play options available so you don't feel like you have to break the bank or pick one over the other."
For a full breakdown of Star Trek Online's free-to-play options, check out the official STO website.
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