Reign of Guilds Is Now Free-To-Play, With Some Early-Game, Social Restrictions

Reign of Guilds has announced that it's gone free-to-play, though there are some restirctions on how free players can progress. According to the announcement blog, its studio Atlant Games has been working with Steam on how to permit a free version of the game, but now it's finally figured out a model that works for its goals. 

Like many multiplayer games with paid components, the social restrictions seem to be focused more on ensuring players don’t power-play the game. Only one character is allowed per free account, and they can’t create guilds nor use customization items like skins and restrictions. There’s also “greater progression of the Island Tax.” 

Most importantly, the free experience makes “restrictions on the exit from Rivulet Island," the newcomer/early-game portion of the game that the devs estimate players spend 30 to 50 hours on, according to the blog. 

In order to leave Rivulet Island, the player has to reach a certain quest on that character; the devs believe this is helpful as it gives an “opportunity to learn the game mechanics in nearly absolute safety and get yourself beginner money and equipment.” 

They also say that “we are going to spend a good half of our time to improve the beginner experience of our game, working on the tutorial locations, quests, map, and making easier a number of core game routines.” Already, previous patches updated crafting, as it’s necessary on the island, so players can really get a proper start. 

 “We think that all the players who want to try the mainland should have this opportunity,” the blog reads. “Basically, it gives people the possibility to play the game for free.” 

For those who want to progress quicker and further, the “DLC” will give upgrades. At $4.99, the “Commoner” DLC lets players get to Dwarrhan, the main island, though the blog says it’ll come with “a number of restrictions.” 

The “Knight” tier at $39.99 (but currently on sale for $23.99 at time of writing) is essentially the base game, which will be given to all players who had the base game before, and lacks restrictions. There are now also the “Black Knight,” “Banneret” and “Raubritter” tiers of DLC that include bonus perks on top of the Knight and Commoner tiers. 

Hopefully, this will give some boost to the population in the long run, as the game is so small that after many players tapped into an exploit, they refused to give permanent bans—likely as to not compromise the population.