Free Realms
| Free Realms | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Developer(s) |
Daybreak Game Company Formerly Sony Online Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | Sony Online Entertainment |
| Engine | Forgelight Engine |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 3 (PSN), Windows, Mac |
| Release |
PC April 28, 2009 PlayStation 3 March 29, 2011 Mac November 2, 2010 |
| Genre(s) | Massively multiplayer online adventure game |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer, CCG |
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Publication | Score |
| Eurogamer | 7/10 |
| IGN | 8.8 |
| USA Today | 4/5 |
Free Realms was a massive multiplayer online role playing video game, developed by Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) for the PC, Mac, and PlayStation 3, set in a fantasy-themed world named Sacred Grove. The game was released on April 29, 2009, for the Windows PC. The game restricted free to play up to level 20, although there was access to additional game content via a membership fee. The game allowed the player to fight, interact with other players, and more. It was closed on March 31, 2014; SOE stated that they no longer had enough resources to maintain so many servers.
The game was available to download and play free of charge. The PC version was accessed via the Free Realms web site or, through game arcade sites Candy Stand or Miniclip. During character creation a 3D client downloaded in the background and then streamed as the user played; the same method was used to download new content or updates, which reduced file size and download times. A version of FreeRealms for Mac was announced at SOE Fan Faire 2010 for release "within the next 3 months." The Mac version was released on November 2, 2010.
The PlayStation 3 version was released on March 31, 2011 on the US PlayStation Store and on September 11, 2011 in the EU and was accessible via the PlayStation Network.
Free Realms offered an optional membership for a single player, which allowed for 3 characters to be created per account (plus other benefits such as member-only quests, jobs, and items). Only one character can be played at a time; the game will kick extra active characters. Before Free Realms was shut down, SOE planned to offer a "family" membership that would allow multiple logins at the same time. Separate to memberships is the Station Cash currency which can be used for premium features across Sony Online Entertainment games (including Free Realms).
In the New York Times, Free Realms was well received. The reviewer, Seth Shiesel, noted "For Sony Online, Free Realms is a triumph of the company’s own reinvention."USA Today reviewer Marc Saltzman gave Free Realms a 4/5 score, noting "Sony Online Entertainment's Free Realms is an extraordinary online adventure that is sure to please tweens and teens looking for a fun and free fantasy world."Eurogamer gave the game a largely positive review, MMO editor Oli Welsh describing the game as "an effortlessly light and addictive indulgence". MMOHuts gave the game a 4/5 and noted that "Free Realms is one of the most feature-rich free MMORPGs currently available and it’s all delivered in a beautiful package". In a review of Free Realms at USA Network's Character Arcade, David Chapman stated that the game "is a surprisingly deep game experience for a free to play model. There's never a shortage of things to do ... even if you never pay a dime to Sony."
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Wikipedia