The MMORPG industry is developing each day, and it isn’t a shock that most people are now becoming more and more demanding with the games’ features.

A lot of MMORPGs have been sprouting for the past few years. Various types and classes have been developed, and the MMORPG industry has really developed in terms of game play and graphics as the years go by.

Because of the advancements in technology, it couldn’t be helped that some offer their games for free. But like others, sometimes these free MMORPGs are not exactly free. Let’s look deeper into the free MMORPG industry.

Free to play isn’t exactly always free to play. Usually, there are two types of free MMORPGs – those with cash shops and those with optional premium memberships.

Cash Shops or Premium Items
Most free MMORPGs nowadays have this setup now. Sure, you get to play for free, and access everything. But for you to level up faster, or to be stronger, you’d have to buy from them. These cash shop items are usually consumables, costumes or experience boosters. Since most payers would love to have stronger characters, they use money to achieve that.

However, cash shops tend to have its disadvantages. For one, there are other free MMORPGs which limit you from limiting further unless you buy some. Another con is that the richer players are usually those who rule the game, which leaves the not-so-rich players behind.

Take a look at this example: a young professional usually doesn’t have the time to grind. But with premium items, he or she can be stronger than the teenager who doesn’t have money to buy but plays almost each day.

On the other hand, cash shops are usually the most popular setup in the free MMORPG industry. It doesn’t force players to buy, but instead gives them to buy solely on their own choice.

Premium Memberships
Some free MMORPGs have the so-called ‘VIP memberships.’ The whole game is free, you can play it for free but they have special servers, services and rooms especially for those who would avail of the VIP memberships. While this setup isn’t very popular nowadays, there are still some free MMORPGs who take advantage of this.

These kinds of free MMORPGs are mostly used among those games which have a really huge population. Due to lags, server crowding and other factors, it might be a good idea for some to offer VIP memberships.

For example, a game has 3 servers with one server dedicated to those who would be availing of the VIP or premium membership. If the 2 servers are always full and the game is quite famous, this means more revenue for the publisher. This gives the players the option to ‘upgrade’ their free gaming with a minimal fee, just so they could play better

The Real Catch
In reality, we have to take in consideration that these free MMORPGs still have to think of ways to market their games to potential players, and at the same time gain revenue. They still have to earn money to sustain server maintenance and manpower salary. That’s the reason why there are really no 100% free MMORPGs, but rather free MMORPGs which offer the choice of spending or not.

On the other hand, these minimal fees don’t hinder the games from being loved by a lot of players. So the next time you play your next game, appreciate it that it isn’t forcing you to pay just to play, and simply enjoy your time exploring your own MMORPG world.

By Kristine Cruz for FreeMMORPGs.com