The recent announcement that Champions Online would be adopting a free-to-play model made many wonder if developer Cryptic would consider a similar move for Star Trek Online. Cryptic CEO Jack Emmert indicates that they’re considering the move, though it hinges on the success of Champions Online.
“I’m sure people are wondering whether we’ll do it with Star Trek and the question is really how well it does for Champions,” explained Emmert. “Does it work or doesn’t it We’re not sold one way or the other with Star Trek yet. If people want Star Trek to go free-to-play then get in and play Champions and help make it a great success, because that would send a strong message. If we did Turbine’s level of success that would certainly merit the discussion!”
“There are more people than just I on that decision and I can’t begin to say it would be an automatic ‘Yes, we’d do it.’ We hope for a success as big as DDO,” Emmert added. “That would be great – but I wouldn’t say we’re betting on it. In other words, I’m not going to say we’ll do or die if we don’t get five times our revenue or whatever the stats were that Turbine did. We’re just hoping to open it up and increase the fanbase, and we’ll just wait and see – I’d love it if we got their results, but hey, if that doesn’t happen it doesn’t happen.”
Source: Eurogamer
