Is New World Free to Play After Purchase? A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer is: yes, New World is free to play after your initial purchase. This means that once you buy the game, you can play as much as you want without incurring any additional subscription fees. Let’s delve deeper into what this means, and address other frequently asked questions about New World’s business model.
Understanding New World’s Business Model
New World deviates from the traditional subscription-based model that many older MMORPGs employ. While initially planned as a free-to-play game, it ultimately adopted a buy-to-play approach. This means that you pay a one-time fee to gain access to the game. Once you own the game, you are not obligated to pay any further to continue playing. This is a crucial point to understand, and it sets New World apart from many competitors.
The game does, however, feature an in-game store where players can purchase cosmetic items and quality of life tools. These items range from character skins and weapon appearances to XP boosters, which can help accelerate leveling. Crucially, utilizing this in-game store is completely optional. Players can enjoy the entire game without spending any extra money beyond the initial purchase, making it truly “free to play after purchase.”
Navigating the In-Game Store
While New World doesn’t force players to buy anything, the presence of an in-game store can sometimes create confusion. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Cosmetic Items: These are purely for visual customization. They do not impact your character’s power or gameplay performance.
- Quality of Life Tools: Items like XP boosters can help you progress faster. However, they don’t provide a significant advantage that can’t be achieved through regular gameplay.
- Optional Spending: Remember, purchasing from the store is never necessary. The game is designed to be fully enjoyable without these additional purchases.
The Premium Track
New World features a premium track system in which players can spend in game currency or real currency to unlock more rewards for leveling up. As Amazon Games has clarified, nothing in the premium track is pay-to-win. All of the non-cosmetic premium track rewards can also be earned through the free track and normal gameplay. The premium track simply provides 100 additional levels of rewards for players.
New World: A Buy-to-Play Game
The critical takeaway is that New World is not a subscription-based game. This means that, unlike other MMO titles that charge a monthly fee, you only need to purchase the game once to unlock the full experience. This provides a considerable benefit to players who enjoy playing at their own pace, without feeling the pressure to play consistently to justify a monthly payment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To further clarify New World’s accessibility and features, here are 15 frequently asked questions:
1. Is New World a one-time purchase?
Yes, New World is a one-time purchase game. Once you buy the base game, you can play without any further mandatory costs. This includes all of the content released until the game’s latest paid expansion.
2. Does New World require a monthly subscription?
No, New World does not require any monthly subscription fee. There are no ongoing costs after your initial purchase.
3. Can I play New World without Steam?
No, you need a Steam account to launch and play New World. The game is tied to your Steam account.
4. Can you play New World on your own?
Yes, despite being an MMO, New World is solo-friendly. Many aspects of the game can be enjoyed alone, especially exploration, crafting, and leveling. While some content, such as Expeditions, are designed for groups, they are not required to progress.
5. How much does the base game of New World cost?
The base game is currently priced around $40 USD. Keep an eye out for sales and discounts.
6. Can I play New World for free on PC?
While not entirely free, you can play for free after buying the game. The additional purchases are optional.
7. Is New World pay-to-win now?
No, New World is not pay-to-win. The in-game store provides cosmetics and optional quality of life items, none of which provide an unfair advantage over other players.
8. Is there endgame content in New World?
Yes, there is substantial endgame content, including crafting, arenas, expeditions, Outpost Rush, and wars. These activities offer plenty to do once you reach the level cap.
9. How much did New World cost to develop?
Development costs for New World are estimated to be at least $200 million USD, making it one of the most expensive MMORPGs ever produced.
10. Do you need a good PC to play New World?
While New World is graphically demanding, the system requirements are quite modest. You can run the game on an Intel Core i5-2400 or an AMD quad-core processor. An i7-2600K or Ryzen 5 1400 processor will provide a more stable experience.
11. Is New World an open-world game?
Yes, New World is an open-world game. You can explore the vast, beautiful island of Aeternum and claim territories with your company.
12. How long does it take to reach level 60 in New World?
Reaching level 60 can take about 100 hours of gameplay, depending on your playstyle and focus.
13. What is there to do when you reach level 60 in New World?
Upon reaching level 60, you unlock the Brimstone Sands storyline, as well as other endgame content mentioned previously such as Expeditions, Wars, and Outpost Rush.
14. Will New World expansions cost money?
Yes, New World expansions, like “Rise of the Angry Earth,” will cost money. The expansions provide additional content, features, and storylines for a separate purchase.
15. How many players play New World?
New World is estimated to have 145,169 players per day and a total of over 15 million players. The game still has a significant player base two years after its initial release.
Conclusion
New World offers a rich and immersive MMORPG experience without recurring subscription fees. While there is an in-game store, it is completely optional and does not impact the fairness or competitiveness of the game. By adopting a buy-to-play model, New World ensures that once you purchase the game, you are free to explore, battle, and craft at your own pace. This, coupled with its engaging content and thriving community, makes New World a worthwhile consideration for MMO enthusiasts.