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CastleCraft is first monthly subscription MMOG for iPad

Will be out for iPhone when servers fully tested

CastleCraft is first monthly subscription MMOG for iPad
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Further to the news that Freeverse has launched its first online game CastleCraft, we've discovered that it's the first subscription-based game to hit the App Store.

So instead of following the free-to-play model of sister company ngmoco, it's experimenting with the model that's made Blizzard such a massive success.

Rates have been set at $4.99 for one month, $5.99 for three months and $12.99 for a year.

However Freeverse points out that the app is free to download, and you can play for a certain period of time before hitting the subscription ceiling.

"I don't think you'd run into the game requiring you to subscribe for at-least a week, maybe longer," reckoned producer Bruce Morrison.

Constant craving

Part of the reason for this decision seems to be that CastleCraft is more of a hardcore game than the likes of ngmoco's We Rule, which is free and funded by in-app purchases.

In CastleCraft, you build up your kingdom and as well as having the option to ally with your friends, you can also send your troops to destroy your enemies.

There are 16 military units and 16 resource and technology units available, although you'll have to partake in the construction of buildings and the collection of elements such as gold, lumber and food, to fuel your growth.

What's perhaps most significant about CastleCraft however is that despite its subscription model, you can also buy Dragon Crystals, which you use to make magical buildings and power special units.

As well as some crystals being available as you play the game, these will be available as in-app purchases such as mojo in We Rule, while additional IAP packs will enable you to interact in enhanced ways with the rest of the CastleCraft world.

The Clarion Horn pack allows world chat, the Obelisk pack allows you to place a message obelisk on the map, and the Obelisk Destroyer pack allows you to destroy someone else's message.

Sounds like it could all get very personal and shouty.

Slow, sure

As for the availability of CastleCraft (which uses ngmoco's Plus+ network), to ensure it doesn't run into the same server problems as did We Rule, it's only being rolled out for iPad users for the time being.

It will be made available for the great unwashed mass of iPhone and iPod touch users when Freeverse is happy it can handle the load.

CastleCraft is out now for iPad.
Jon Jordan
Jon Jordan
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon can turn his hand to anything except hand turning. He is editor-at-large at PG.biz which means he can arrive anywhere in the world, acting like a slightly confused uncle looking for the way out. He likes letters, cameras, imaginary numbers and legumes.