Of course, on this subject Blizzard Entertainment is mum.
Best known for their mighty massively multiplayer online phenomenon and game title, World of Warcraft, the gaming studio might be looking to go where many other MMOs are starting to go: into the world of free-to-play.
Recently DC Universe Online saw a huge boost in revenue after switching their game from pay-to-play to free-to-play. Although World of Warcraft is unlikely to make that switch, Blizzard might be looking into producing a new title and releasing it as free-to-play. All this even though WoW has seen a 10% decline in its total subscriber base.
According to Develop Online, a rumor has surfaced about Blizzard’s attitude towards a future project involving this gaming model,
Following some eight years of success with its trailblazing MMO World of Warcraft, it is said that theCalifornia studio will expand business opportunities and create both subscription and freemium titles.
A Develop source connected to the matter did not provide further details on Blizzard’s free-to-play game project. The studio is widely known to be working on the so-called ‘Project Titan’, and is finalising the Diablo 3 for launch, though it has capacity for multiple projects.
Blizzard COO Paul Sams mentioned the prospect of a free-to-play title at BlizzCon 2011 in October, but this is far from conclusive evidence that they’re actually working on one now.
“It certainly is possible, if we find ourselves in that circumstance, or if we come up with a game where we think that’s the right business model, the most appropriate for players to experience it,” Sams said.
“We don’t have any opposition to the concept, it’s just that at this point we haven’t decided to make a game where that is the model. But that doesn’t mean that we won’t.”
Of course, Blizzard has declined to comment through official channels, but we can hold out hope.
Meanwhile, slated for release this year is the gaming giant’s Diablo III title as well as the Mists of Pandaria expansion to the already wildly popular pay-to-play World of Warcraft. Sadly, there will be no BlizzCon 2012—it was cancelled—but we’ll look forward to that next year.
