EA's BattleForge Switches to Free-to-Play Model

BattleForge(TM), a new fantasy online real-time strategy game where you assemble your own army with collectible trading cards. Win, trade and buy your cards online to create your ultimate deck.(1) Mix and match the elements of your cards to play with your friends online and conquer massive online battlegrounds.

For mortals caught in a clash between insane gods and ancient giants, standing together is the only option. Using the forces of Fire, Frost, Nature and Shadow a mysterious Forge which makes legends come to life, is their single hope to create armies powerful enough to overcome these impossible odds. It is now time to set out and reclaim an epic fantasy world which has been overthrown by sinister powers in the twilight of a dying sun.
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EA's fantasy-themed BattleForge (a hybrid RTS/CCG-styled MMO) finally made the switch to free-to-play, after suffering months of lackluster sales. Although it's a game we haven't given much coverage in the past, it's worth mentioning since the previous pay-to-play model is probably what kept most curious gamers at bay. Originally priced around $50 US at launch, box sales were dismal, despite favorable reviews and a successful micro-transaction model. (Each of your "players" in BattleForge are represented by virtual, collectible cards that can be purchased via in-game booster packs and decks.)

A couple months later, EA dropped the price down to $30 with the hopes of making the game more accessible. Finally, in late May, they did away with the "box price" altogether, offering the BattleForge client as a free download with a limited number of cards and a few other minor restrictions. In-store retail boxes are still available, which come with 3000 in-game points that can be used to purchase new cards. EA is hoping that by moving to the free-to-play model with micro-transactions to drive revenue, the game will finally begin reaching the majority of its target audience.

What do you think of this "MMORTS-CCG" hybrid? Leave a comment and let us know if you think BattleForge is a game you'd like to see ZAM cover from time to time.

edit by shu

Hm, having EA behind its back , this game must have a solid budget , lets see how it turns out :)

Ahaha, EA is gonna fall, WAR sucks big time after you get to a certain point.
And the 30 day free trial that you get with the game is just enough to find it out.
A lot of people didn't buy more days after those 30 days.
And I bet they hoped for way more money from it.

the graphic and gameplay is very interesting very diferent than fantasy in this game is TACTIC and WAR
i will add tommorow screenshots ingame.

I lost interest the moment I saw the 1st screenie, but RTS just doesn't appeal to me.
I'm sure RTS fans ll love this.

imma look into it later

just watch the video.look interest at first glance but i thinking after u play and this type of scene is shown over and over again it will get boring very fast.expensive as hell trying to buy new cards everytime they come out heh

you mean u have to buy cards with RL money or buy them in RL? im confused

Pokemon cards, trade em all!!!

dont make me keel u snow...

you can buy extra cards if you want.Btw if somebody wants to play i can share my account its no problem i dont play very much

i wanna try it if u dont mind dis but probably a bit later tho

I'm also received 3 beta friends key, anyone interesting can play too? :P

EA's fantasy-themed BattleForge (a hybrid RTS/CCG-styled MMO) finally made the switch to free-to-play, after suffering months of lackluster sales. Although it's a game we haven't given much coverage in the past, it's worth mentioning since the previous pay-to-play model is probably what kept most curious gamers at bay. Originally priced around $50 US at launch, box sales were dismal, despite favorable reviews and a successful micro-transaction model. (Each of your "players" in BattleForge are represented by virtual, collectible cards that can be purchased via in-game booster packs and decks.)

A couple months later, EA dropped the price down to $30 with the hopes of making the game more accessible. Finally, in late May, they did away with the "box price" altogether, offering the BattleForge client as a free download with a limited number of cards and a few other minor restrictions. In-store retail boxes are still available, which come with 3000 in-game points that can be used to purchase new cards. EA is hoping that by moving to the free-to-play model with micro-transactions to drive revenue, the game will finally begin reaching the majority of its target audience.

What do you think of this "MMORTS-CCG" hybrid? Leave a comment and let us know if you think BattleForge is a game you'd like to see ZAM cover from time to time.

mmm i played it a few days during cb , and it seemed ok but there were only a few quests i could do then ... and they were very hard solo , and didn't have some1 to party with to finish them ... i got annoyed and left lol