MMORPG

GamesRadar.com has a list of great commercial games that have been released for free.  Included are some of my favorites like Archlord, Battle Chess, Fallout, and many more. 

From the site:

We like free stuff. That’s why we posted links to download and play 365 free games so you could have a decent game to play for every day of the year, free of charge. Unfortunately, GamesRadar has yet to wrestle the most formidable type of free games into submission so that they can be preserved in their proper list form for eternity. We’re talking about the free games that were good enough to sell, important enough to review, and memorable enough to warrant a second play through years later.

http://www.gamesradar.com/f/30-commercial-games-released-for-free/a-20100202122153157099

Dungeons and Dragons Online is now free which is following in the footsteps of other MMO's that have decided to give the free-to-play model a try. I've read reports that some have been successful. If your looking around for something new, this may be exactly what your looking for. It's based on the D&D 3.5 ruleset. Here's some information from the site:

Dungeons & Dragons Online®: Eberron Unlimited™ (or DDO for short) is the only FREE to play premium Massively Multiplayer Online game (MMO) of its kind. Set in the vast and dangerous online world of Eberron, gamers discover hidden treasure, pummel monsters, and look to evade traps left behind by an ancient race. By leveraging the most active, most realistic combat system of any online game, DDO players deliver and feel every blow that goes into a baddie’s demise.

http://www.ddo.com/

Aeria Games is proud to announce the launch of the official Wolf Team website! Now is your chance to reserve your spot in the upcoming Closed Beta that will begin at the end of June! Wolf Team is a fast paced First Person Shooter (FPS) online game. However, blazing gunfire is just the beginning:

* Fast-paced FPS action for up to 16 players!
* Large assortment of different weapons
* Transform into werewolf for up-close combat
* 15 different maps in a variety of environments
* 7 game modes including Death Match, Destruction, and Conquest
* Best of all it's Free to Play!

About the game:

Wolf Team is a fast paced 3D MMOFPS that features the ability for players to transform between playing as a Human or as a Werewolf. Humans have an assortment of weapons available at their disposal giving them an advantage at a distance. Wolves on the other hand have no ranged attack but are faster and stronger than their human counter parts.

The ability to switch between human and wolf at any time adds a new element of strategy to Wolf Team over other traditional shooter games. Players will never need to worry about running out of ammunition because Wolves have their own distinct advantages such as running on walls and dropping in on other players unexpectedly. In certain modes players can even play as other types of wolves such as ghost wolves that can turn invisible.

Wolf Team has several addictive game modes to choose from ranging from the traditional deathmatch style to Conquest mode that allows players to work in a team to capture as many bases as possible, and Destruction mode where one team tries to blow up the other team's base. The game also features a large selection of weapons players can acquire as they progress through the game.

* Features Fast-paced FPS action for up to 16 players at a time!
* A large assortment of modern weaponry
* Transform into a werewolf for up-close combat
* 15 different maps in a variety of different shapes and sizes
* 7 exciting game modes including Death Match, Destruction, and Conquest

Sign up for closed beta

Disney has just released it's new free MMORPG called Pirates of the Caribbean Online.  I haven't got a chance to check it out, but it apparently has a lot of references to the movie.  I'm suprised they went with the free model, but it's not all hugs and kisses.  The free version is also the "basic" version.  $10 a month will get you everything.  Here are some of the features:

• Create your own Pirate character - Choose from millions of combinations to fully customize your character (shapes, colors, clothing, names, etc.)!
• Set sail on your own Pirate ship - Purchase and captain your own ship. Recruit your crew and set sail for the adventure of a lifetime.
• Quest for adventure and treasure - Embark on ship and land-based missions using secret maps to locate buried treasure. Explore lush jungles, volcanic caves, and vast tropical islands. Keep your wits about you though, as traps, ambushes, and double-crosses are an everyday occurrence when keeping company with pirates.
• Use advanced weaponry - Jump into battle with a variety of weapons, each requiring a unique set of skills to master. Improve your reputation as a fighter to be reckoned with and unlock more powerful weapons.
• Become a legend - Master a variety of skills, including swords, daggers, cannons, and sailing to become the most notorious pirate in the world.
• Work your Voodoo Magic - Voodoo magic is used to heal, travel, cheat in games, and cast curses on enemies.
• Get some Booty - Earn extra loot playing poker and blackjack.
• Build a notorious Band or Guild - Join together with others for expanded adventures and added power. Form your own Band of Pirates for a quick battle or join a Guild for longer term strategy.
• Grow your wealth with money and rare items - Hunt for buried treasure including gold, precious gems, and mysterious artifacts.

It also has PvP modes, which includes Team Battle and Mayhem.  It looks like Mayhem is just a deathmatch mode, and Team Battle is just team deathmatch. 

I've seen several bloggers comment on how this game has went largely unnoticed.  It's really a shame, but there are so many MMORPG's coming out these days, that news sites usually focus on those that are the most anticipated or have the most hype.  A family-safe MMORPG from Disney isn't going to get much blogger media in my opinion, because that's just not what our readers are looking for...most likely.  Maybe some pirate fans out there will check out this game and post some reviews soon. 

Lord of the Rings Online has won the Golden Joystick PC Game of the Year Award (sponsored by PC Gamer).  What does this mean?  Well, basically that more gamers who play LOTRO voted in the Golden Joystick awards than gamers from other games.   Not to mention the fact that these awards are a little confusing with WoW: Burning Crusade winning "Online Game of the Year" (difference?).  One strange thing to me was the fact that they not only promoted the story on the home page, but also asked you to digg it.  This is something I've always thought the smaller MMORPG's should do, but just never do.  I guess they are trying to look professional, but Digg can be a powerful way to get the message out. 

LOTRO has had a lot of updates lately, and I think it's gaining steam.  A lot of MMO's do after about a year, because that's the point where most work out a lot of the bugs.  Before then, it's hit and miss, but don't be suprised if you log in one day and something is missing from your inventory because of a "bug".  Anyway, LOTRO just added over 100 new quests, a new 12-player raid, two new areas in Middle-earth and introduced the player housing system.  Before that, book 10 added new reputation and bartering systems, playing as monsters, and enhanced the user interface. 

Right now, you can play The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar for 7 days for free and if you refer a friend, you can get 30 days free added to your account through their referral program.