Star Trek Online to go F2P, hopes to live long and prosper as a free game

Written by Matt Swider on November 29, 2011

STO F2P News: The free-to-play trend consumes Star Trek Online, giving more power to F2P.

Star Trek Online hopes to live long and prosper as a free-to-play game in 2012 when it becomes the latest subscription-based title to adopt the F2P model. The Sci-Fi MMORPG was launched by Atari and developer Cyrptic Studios in early 2010 with what has become a ball and chain for MMOs: a $14.99 a month fee and a $300 Lifetime Subscription buyout. Sony Online Entertainment's DC Universe Online went through a similar transition this fall and DCUO quickly added one million users in its first week as a F2P game.

The new F2P structure of Star Trek Online goes into effect on January 17, 2012, breaking users down into two camps: Gold and Silver. Gold reflects the old model $14.99 a month with three character slots, unlimited access to create fleets, standard ships from the get-go and no advertisements. Silver is free, but players start with just two character slots, have limited fleet creation access, must unlock the standard ships and have to put up with ads. Foundry Project slots are also a key difference. Gold members start with eight foundry slots, while Silver account holders have to work for the each one.

There's no telling if Star Trek Online can mimic the success of DC Universe Online, which has the benefit of being available on the PC and the MMO-deprived PS3. But with EverQuest II also following the F2P trend in December, it seems to be the better business model for cash-strapped gamers who want to Уtry it before they buy it.Ф