Secret World Legends Goes Live June 26th

The Secret World was launched in 2012, and when it arrived it asked a simple question: what if your MMO offered more than simple grinding and repetitive combat?

To which the gaming population had a very simple answer: no thanks bro. While it was critically praised for its uniqueness and interesting premise, it was never really the smash hit that developer Funcom was hoping for. But rather than simply do what most other MMO’s do when they inevitably fail to pull WoW numbers and go free to play, Funcom decided to try something a little bit different, as is typically the case with The Secret World, and re-launch the game as Secret World Legends.

Not… TERRIBLY different, but a little different.

First, in case you're not up to speed, Secret World Legends is the same setting, where there’s a crazy, monster-filled universe parallel our own that agents from three agencies plunge into to seek knowledge and protect the common folk. However, instead of having to pay a monthly fee, Secret World Legends will be free, supported by in-game microtransactions with a currency called Aurum. You can also pay a monthly fee for in-game bonuses, such as spending money and conveniences. Otherwise, you can enjoy over 100 hours of story content, and a revamped combat system.

As is usually the case, Funcom is assuring people that it is not a pay-to-win title: anything you can buy can also be “earned”, and Aurum is mostly used to buy weapon pages, inventory space, extra characters, and vanity items, but they don’t explicitly say it can’t be used to buy power-enhancing items as well.

In any case, the real news here is that the launch date for the final game was finally announced, June 26th. I just got really distracted on my way to getting there.

You can find all the details on the game's website, right here. As far as I’m concerned, though, we have yet to see a free-to-play MMO do anything except sustain itself: and if there was ever going to be a blockbuster free-to-play MMO, I’m not sure Secret World Legends is it.

I’d be loved to be proven wrong though.