Is New World: Rise of the Angry Earth Free? The Definitive Answer and FAQs
No, New World: Rise of the Angry Earth is not free. It is a paid expansion for the base game, requiring a separate purchase to access its content. This expansion marks a significant chapter in the New World saga, introducing new features, storylines, and challenges. While the base game itself is not free-to-play, the expansion further solidifies the game’s model as a buy-to-play experience rather than a free one, which was initially planned. You must purchase the Rise of the Angry Earth expansion separately to experience all of its new content.
What Does Rise of the Angry Earth Offer?
Rise of the Angry Earth is not just a simple add-on; it’s a full-fledged expansion that fundamentally alters the game’s landscape. It introduces the following key features:
- New Storyline: Delve into the narrative behind the fall of First Light, uncovering the mysteries of Aeternum and the new evil force that has ravaged its lands.
- Mounts: After two years of anticipation, mounts have finally arrived, enabling players to traverse the world of Aeternum at double speed, significantly reducing travel times and improving exploration.
- New Weapon: Master the Flail, a versatile new weapon offering both melee and ranged capabilities to diversify combat styles.
- Increased Level Cap: The maximum character level has been raised to 65, allowing players to further develop their characters with new skills and abilities.
- Increased Gear Score: Players can now achieve a gear score of 700, offering more powerful items and pushing end-game progression.
- New Loot System: The loot system has been revamped to provide higher-quality items that are more relevant to players’ chosen styles, reducing the amount of less useful “trash” loot.
- Transformed Zones: The lands of Aeternum have been dramatically altered, with the addition of new territories and zones to explore.
- New Territories: Players will need to head to Edengrove to start the new Angry Earth questline.
All of these additions are accessible only by purchasing the expansion. It’s a substantial amount of new content designed to reinvigorate the game, and it’s presented as a premium offering.
The Cost of New World: Rise of the Angry Earth
The expansion retails for $29.99. For new players, there is an option to purchase the New World: Elysian Edition bundle for $69.99, which includes both the base game and the Rise of the Angry Earth expansion. This pricing is a crucial factor for players looking to delve into the new content as it is an additional cost on top of the original game purchase.
Why is it not free?
New World was initially considered as a free-to-play title during its planning phases. However, Amazon Games opted for a buy-to-play business model, and this expansion follows suit. The pricing reflects the significant amount of new content and features that have been added, requiring the dedicated development efforts of the game’s team. The development of such expansive additions is expensive and the paid model helps to sustain these efforts to keep the game fresh and engaging for its player base.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about New World: Rise of the Angry Earth, designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the game and its expansion:
1. Does the New World require a subscription?
No, New World does not require a subscription to play. Once you purchase the base game, you can play without monthly fees. This is a notable difference from many traditional MMORPGs that require a subscription for continuous access.
2. Do I need the base game to play Rise of the Angry Earth?
Yes, you must own the base game of New World to play the Rise of the Angry Earth expansion. It is an add-on and will not function without the original game.
3. Will there be a new battle pass with Rise of the Angry Earth?
While there is no indication of a new battle pass specifically associated with Rise of the Angry Earth, the article mentioned that players were essentially paying $20 to unlock a mount with the update. It’s worth keeping a close watch on official New World updates for specific information about seasonal passes or other similar features in future updates.
4. Is New World playable solo?
Yes, New World is highly accessible for solo players. The game features a strong survivalist element that makes it easy to progress and level up without relying on a party. You can explore, complete quests, and develop your character on your own.
5. Do I need Steam to play New World?
Yes, you will need a Steam account to launch the game. New World is accessed via the Steam platform.
6. How big is the New World Rise of the Angry Earth download?
The required storage space for New World is approximately 100 GB. Expect a similar size download, or potentially redownloading the entire game, for the expansion. It may take 2-3 hours for the expansion launch to be completely downloaded.
7. What is the max level and gear score with the expansion?
With Rise of the Angry Earth, the maximum character level is 65, and the gear score cap is 700. These changes allow for further character progression and gear upgrades.
8. When was Rise of the Angry Earth released?
The expansion was released on October 3rd, coinciding with the game’s second anniversary.
9. What time did the expansion become available to play?
Rise of the Angry Earth was available for purchase and download beginning at 9 AM PT (4 PM UTC) on October 3rd.
10. Where do I start the new Angry Earth quest?
To start the new questline introduced with the expansion, you should head to Edengrove.
11. Can I play Steam games on my mobile phone?
Yes, using Steam Link, you can play many of your Steam games on your mobile phone, tablet, TV, or another PC. This feature allows you to play games remotely with optimized touch controls, if the specific game supports it.
12. Are there free-to-play games on Steam?
Yes, Steam offers many free-to-play games that can be downloaded and played without a subscription or credit card. If there is optional in-game content, it will be purchased with your Steam wallet.
13. How do parties work in New World?
You can easily form a party with friends in New World via the Social Screen. It allows you to invite other players regardless of their location, as long as you know how to access and use the Social Screen.
14. What is the end game of New World?
New World’s end game largely revolves around PvP and alliance conflicts, primarily through Wars. Players are motivated to improve their combat skills to show dominance over other players.
15. What is the AFK timer in New World?
New World has a 20-minute AFK timer. Players are removed from the server if they are inactive for this length of time. This timer is in place to help manage the server’s player load and queues.
Conclusion
While the Rise of the Angry Earth expansion is not free, it brings significant additions to New World, making the purchase a worthwhile investment for players looking for a new chapter in Aeternum. The $29.99 price for the expansion offers substantial new content, including mounts, the new flail weapon, an increase in level caps, transformed territories, and a new loot system. Considering this paid model, potential players should make an informed decision on whether to purchase the expansion to enhance their New World experience. With its buy-to-play business model, New World stands apart from subscription-based MMOs and presents a one-time purchase to access its world, with paid expansions providing substantial new content.