[TOR] Free to play

So that wasn't unexpected in the slightest.  I can't remember, and am too lazy to go look, but I said to basically everyone I talked to about the game around launch that I'd bet it would go free to play within six months.

Granted, they just announced it.  And it's been, what, seven months since the game launched?  So by the time it actually happens (and I'll bet that'll be September 25), it'll have been more like nine months.  Even so, it was inevitable.

I'll be honest, I'm a big fan of the F2P model.  Frankly it's the only way I'm willing to engage with a new MMO these days.  I'll pay for WoW because it's just that good, but, I mean, I'd rather not.  I'll pay for EVE when I feel like getting my Internet Spaceship on because I have no choice, but I'd rather just have my toon and have to buy my skill books with real money. 

Once the change is made, I'll probably pick TOR back up, at least to see the end of the story arc.  If I have to pay $15 - 20 in order to get access to my race and class and all that, that's really okay with me.  I like the idea of not having to maintain a subscription, of just paying for the parts I'm inclined to use, of having access to my character and any others of the same race/class I might want to make until the game goes dark.

So, props to Bioware for bowing to the inevitable.  I'm not sure the game will make more money going F2P, but they're bound to get quite a few more subscribers.  And in the end, those are the numbers you can get away with flashing to the media.