free-realms posts

It was only a few days ago that Sony Online sent over work that their new "free-to-play" fantasy MMO Free Realms had already signed up 1 million players well inside a month. Today Sony Online revealed that sign ups for Free Realms have actually accelerated. Launched on April 28, the game has now surpassed the 2 million registered player mark.

All current players of the game are getting a new pack of in-game items to celebrate the milestone. Sony Online also states that 75 percent of its registered players are under 17 years old with 46 percent under 13. Also nearly a third of the players in Free Realms are female.

[Via email press release]

There has been a ton of games that have been or will be adapted into comic books and DC Comics' Wildstorm imprint is responsible for many of them, including World of Warcraft, Prototype, Gears of War and the upcoming StarCraft comics. Now Wildstorm has announced that the just launched MMO Free Realms from Sony Online is getting its own comic as well.

The first issue of the planned 12-issue maxi-series is written by fantasy author J.S. Lewis (not to be confused with the late fantasy author C.S Lewis). Like the MMO it's based on the comic seems to be made for a younger audience (something that's a tad rare for a Wildstorm published comic). Look for the series to begin in July.

Sony Online's first big move in the free-to-play MMO space seems to have been very successful so far. Free Realms, the fantasy based game that officially launched on April 28, has already secured over one million subscribers.

That lucky 1 millionth subscriber is getting some cool bonuses, including a lifetime subscription to the game, 10,000 in Sony Online's Station Cash and a unique astronaut suit for his or her character to wear in the game. In addition all the 999,999 people who signed onto Free Realms beforehand will each get 200 Station Cash and a matching in-game t-shirt for their pets.

[Via email press release]

This cheery trailer marks the launch of the Free Realms, a brightly colored and cute MMO geared toward kids and family players. Those interested in jumping into the action only need to visit the official website and sign-up for an account. The game client downloads and runs out of the web browser.

Download HD Free Realms Launch Trailer (89 MB)
Check out all Free Realms downloads

In perhaps one of the briefest open betas for an MMO game in recent history, Sony Online has posted up word on the official Free Realms web site (if you check out the inviso-text like we did) that the casual themed fantasy MMO is set for its official launch on Tuesday. This is likely Sony Online's only major launch of an all new game this year as both The Agency and DC Universe Online seem to be targeted for a 2010 launch date.

This is Sony Online's first game for the free-to-play MMO audience that has pretty much exploded in the past couple of years with lots of different titles currently online or in the works. Our sister site Massively reports that everyone who played in the beta test will be getting a special unnamed in-game item when Free Realms officially launches tomorrow.

In keeping with the steady line of cheery Free Realms trailers, these gameplay videos show off two of the MMO's mini-game modes. The video shown above features kart racing and the cooking minigames can be seen after the jump. Free Realms is an upcoming MMO geared toward a younger audience.

Download HD Free Realms Kart Racer Trailer (18 MB)
Download HD Free Realms Chef Trailer (25 MB)

This trailer for Free Realms, the upcoming MMO designed for a young audience, brings viewers to an area called the Merry Vale. Here, even the creatures like to do a little dance.

Download HD Free Realms 'Merry Vale' Trailer (51 MB)
Check out all Free Realms downloads

This trailer for Free Realms comes off as extremely teenie-boppish, a WAY too cheery, but remember that the upcoming MMO is being developed specifically for a young audience.

Download HD Free Realms Sizzle Trailer (31 MB)
Check out all Free Realms downloads

This video introduces viewers to Seaside, an area players will be able to adventure through in the upcoming MMO from Sony Online Entertainment, Free Realms. Visit the official website for more information and to sign up for the beta.

Download HD Free Realms 'Seaside' Trailer (80 MB)
Check out all Free Realms downloads

Earlier this month we reported that Sony Online was prepping up their upcoming free-to-play fantasy MMO Free Realms for its beta test. Today Sony Online's PR folks sent over a note announcing that the closed beta test for the game has in fact begun. The publisher stated that the open beta test should begin sometime in early April and that sign ups for the open beta are being taken at the game's official web site.

Just a reminder: Free Realms is being designed by Sony Online to be a more casual MMO than it's hardcore Everquest games. Players will be able to go online and play the game for free up to a certain point. Extra content in the game will be able to be unlocked via microtransactions or a monthly subscription fee.