Free Realms is a free 3D virtual world where you can do whatever you want, whenever you want! Jump in straight from your web browser! Click the Download Free Trial button above and get a 14-day, fully-functional trial of CrossOver. Or visit the CrossOver Mac walkthrough for specific steps. Download Free Realms. FreeRealms is a MMORPG (massively multiplayer online. Free Realms was created for a young age demographic but also attracted many teenagers thanks to its deep role playing elements. Free Realms was an impressive 3D world where players could roam free while participating in a large number of activities in a solo or multiplayer environment. Exploration was key an emphasis on trying everything on offer. Runs on: Mac OS X, Mac Other, Mac OS X 10.5, Mac OS X 10.4, Mac OS X 10.5, Mac OS X 10.2, Mac OS X 10.6, Mac OS X 10.7, Mac OS X 10.8 HourGuard Timesheet Free for Mac v.1.53 HourGuard timesheet software free for Mac OS X is an easy time recording software that is ideal for freelancers and professionals who bill by the hour. Finereader Mac Download. With Realms, your world is kept online and always accessible, even when you log-off. Free Realms Sony Online Entertainment, Release PC April 28, 2009 PlayStation 3 March 29, 2011 Mac November 2, 2010, Mode(s) Free Realms was a, developed by (SOE) for the, and, set in a fantasy-themed world named Sacred Grove.
Free Realms | |
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Developer(s) | Sony Online Entertainment |
Publisher(s) | Sony Online Entertainment |
Engine | Forgelight Engine |
Platform(s) | PlayStation 3, Windows, Mac |
Release | Windows April 28, 2009 PlayStation 3 March 29, 2011[1][2] Mac November 2, 2010[3] |
Genre(s) | Massively multiplayer online, adventure |
Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
Free Realms was a massive multiplayer onlinerole playingvideo game, developed by Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) for Windows, Mac, and PlayStation 3, set in a fantasy-themed world named Sacred Grove. The game was released on April 28, 2009 for Windows. The game restricted to free-to-play up to level 20, although there was access to additional game content via a membership fee. The game allowed the player to fight, interact with other players, and more. The game was shut down on March 31, 2014; SOE stated that It didn't have the resources to keep the game going.
Business model[edit]
The game was available to download and play free of charge. The PC version was accessed via the Free Realms web site[4] or, through game arcade sites Candy Stand[5] or Miniclip.[6] During character creation a 3D client downloaded in the background and then streamed as the user played; the same method was used to download new content or updates, which reduced file size and download times. A version of FreeRealms for Mac was announced at SOE Fan Faire 2010 for release 'within the next 3 months.'[7] The Mac version was released on November 2, 2010.[3]
The PlayStation 3 version was released on March 31, 2011 on the US PlayStation Store and on September 11, 2011 in the EU and was accessible via the PlayStation Network.[8][9][10][11]
Free Realms offered an optional membership for a single player, which allowed for 3 characters to be created per account (plus other benefits such as member-only quests, jobs, and items).[12] Only one character can be played at a time; the game will kick extra active characters.[13] Before Free Realms was shut down, SOE planned to offer a 'family' membership that would allow multiple logins at the same time.[14] Separate to memberships is the Station Cash currency which can be used for premium features across Sony Online Entertainment games (including Free Realms).[15]
Reception[edit]
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In the New York Times, Free Realms was well received. The reviewer, Seth Shiesel, noted 'For Sony Online, Free Realms is a triumph of the company’s own reinvention.'[19]USA Today reviewer Marc Saltzman gave Free Realms a 4/5 score, noting 'Sony Online Entertainment's Free Realms is an extraordinary online adventure that is sure to please tweens and teens looking for a fun and free fantasy world.'[18]Eurogamer gave the game a largely positive review, MMO editor Oli Welsh describing the game as 'an effortlessly light and addictive indulgence'.[16] MMOHuts gave the game a 4/5 and noted that 'Free Realms is one of the most feature-rich free MMORPGs currently available and it’s all delivered in a beautiful package'.[20] In a review of Free Realms at USA Network's Character Arcade, David Chapman stated that the game 'is a surprisingly deep game experience for a free to play model. There's never a shortage of things to do ... even if you never pay a dime to Sony.' [21]
John Smedley, president of Sony Online Entertainment, revealed that one million users had signed up to Free Realms 18 days after its launch;[22] a month after release Free Realms reached two million users,[23] and registrations have continued growing at a steady rate since then. As of July 24, 2009, it had nearly five million registered users.[24] Sony Online Entertainment announced in February 2010 that the game had eight million registered users.[25] In April 2010, it was announced that the game had ten million players, with two million players signing up in March 2010.[26]
Comic[edit]
A Free Realms tie-in comic, published by DC Comics' Wildstorms and released for $4.99 per issue, held twelve issues each of which contained a unique one time code redeemable for an in game virtual reward. The comic was written by J.S. Lewis, writer of the 'Gray Griffon' series of young-adult fantasy books, with art by Allen Martinez and Jon Buran.[27]
The comic featured Dane Kensington, an aspiring Brawler who set out on his adventure in hopes of becoming stronger.
Possible revival[edit]
Shortly after the game shut down, a small team of community developers known as Kaldron Interactive announced plans to revive the game via an emulator known as Free Realms: Sunrise. Development on the emulator began in late 2015, and the application experienced a short period of alpha testing in April 2017. As of December 2019 main Developer Mayhem has started weekly updates showcasing progress of the game. According to him the release will be a surprise. [28]
References[edit]
- ^'Free Realms Available on PSN March 29 – PlayStation Blog'. Blog.us.playstation.com. Retrieved 2012-05-30.
- ^Eric Caoili (March 11, 2011). 'SOE's Free Realms Releasing For PS3 On March 29'. Gamasutra. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
- ^ ab'Maintenance for November 2, 2010'. Forums.station.sony.com. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved 2012-05-30.
- ^'Welcome To Free Realms'. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
- ^'Free Realms - Candystand.com'.
- ^'Free Realms - Miniclip.com'. Archived from the original on 2009-05-06. Retrieved 2009-05-11.
- ^'Breaking: Free Realms Headed To PS3 And Mac In The Next 3 Months!'. Freerealmsinsider.com. Retrieved 2012-05-30.
- ^'Free Realms Available on PSN March 29'. Playstation Blog US. 2011-03-11. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
- ^Welsh, Oli (2009-02-12). 'Free Realms to launch in early April News'. Eurogamer. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
- ^'Free Realms hits PSN today with Voice Chat, Trophies'. Playstation Blog US. 2011-03-29. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
- ^'Free Realms News'. SOE. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
- ^'Free Realms Member Benefits'. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
- ^'Free Realms - Support'. Help.freerealms.com. 2013-05-30. Retrieved 2012-05-30.
- ^'Free Realms - Support'. Help.freerealms.com. Retrieved 2012-05-30.[dead link]
- ^'SOE'. SOE.COM. 2013-09-16. Archived from the original on 2013-09-05. Retrieved 2013-09-16.
- ^ abWelsh, Oli (2009-05-27). 'Free Realms Review'. Eurogamer.
- ^Krause, Staci (2009-05-06). 'Free Realms Review'. IGN.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
- ^ abSaltzman, Marc (2009-05-21). ''Free Realms' offers world of family-friendly fun'. USA Today. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
- ^Shiesel, Seth (2009-05-20). 'Pick a Role, Any Role, Then Live Nine Lives'. New York Times. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
- ^Altay, Erhan (2009-05-24). 'Free Realms Game Review'. MMOHuts.
- ^Chapman, David (2010-05-19). ''Review: Free Realms (PC)'. USA Network. Archived from the original on 2010-05-26.
- ^MacManus, Christopher (2009-05-24). 'SOE's Free Realms Has A Million Unique Registered Users'. Sony Insider. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
- ^Martin, Matt (2009-05-27). 'Free Realms hits over 2 million users'. Games Industry. Retrieved 2009-06-12.
- ^'Free Realms hits close to the 5 million registered mark'. VG247. 2009-07-24. Retrieved 2012-05-30.
- ^Clarke, Robert (2010-02-08). 'Free Realms Boasts 8 Million Registered Users'. Aperture Games. Archived from the original on 2011-08-11. Retrieved 2010-02-08.
- ^Mitchell, Richard (2012-05-25). 'Joystiq'. Gamedaily.com. Retrieved 2012-05-30.
- ^McElroy, Griffin (2009-07-23). 'Free Realms comic coming July 29, includes in-game bonuses'. Joystiq. Retrieved 2012-05-30.
- ^'Free Realms: Sunrise FAQ'. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
External links[edit]
- 'Main website'. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved April 19, 2009.CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link)
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Free_Realms&oldid=978997254'
There are some MMORPG games that come and go and then they just get forgotten about. Free Realms is one of those games. One of the most interesting aspects of Free Realms was that it was actually created by the folks at Sony and to be honest with you they actually did a heck of a job and for a while, this was one of the better MMORPGs out there…. Even if was more aimed at kids.
A Magical And Whimsical World
The art style of Free Realms is like something from a children’s storybook. There are humans, fairies, magical beasts, strange lands and all things you would expect from a game that has a fantasy setting. It is actually done very well and even all these years later I still feel that Free Realms has a lot of charm to its style.
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Play How You Want To Play
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In the intro, I called Free Realms an MMORPG, but that is actually doing the game a huge disservice. You see this game has something for everyone. While you can play this like a traditional MMORPG where you create your character, get a job, go on quests, level up, learn new abilities and so on and have an awesome time doing so. Free Realms gives you the option do to far more than that.There is a lot of platforming and action in this game. So much so that you can actually play it more like a 3rd person platform/action game if you want! It gets even crazier than that as you can play the game from a racing point of view! Remember how I said that you had to get a job well some of the jobs that you can get are driving themed jobs. You do this and the game feels completely different than if you were to just play it as a standard MMORPG.
Very Easy To Learn
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I think that calling Free Realms a children’s game is very harsh as it does have some pretty deep gameplay mechanics. However, the game holds your hand in the early parts so very well. It teaches you all of the basics before it spits you out to discover the world and take part in your own adventure. This is something I actually really like and wish that more MMO style games would do.
What About The Combat?
Like any good MMO, combat is very varied. It depends on the kind of character that you play as of course. However, controlling the action is very simple you just pick you who want to attack, select your attack and then click away. They have made the combat very easy to get to grips with and also you can play the game without really getting into fights. This is good if you want to focus more on the exploration and questing than just nonstop fighting.
Can I Still Play This?
While Sony has long shut down the official servers, there are many dedicated fan groups who have kept the game alive. There are even some who have tweaked things, added new stuff and tried to make the game even better. So if you look around it is still certainly possible to play Free Realms.
Free Realms was a really fun game and it is a shame that Sony pulled the official plug when they did. It was a charming and fun MMORPG and while for some it may have been a little simplistic. I feel that the way it went above and beyond to let every individual player play the game just the way they wanted was really cool. I personally would love to see more developers make games like this.
8/10
Pros:
- Such a charming art style
- Tons of jobs to choose from
- Racing, platforming, action, RPG the game has it all!
- Was one of the better free to play games of its day
- Very easy to learn the basics of
Cons:
- Not officially supported anymore
- Might be a little “kiddie” for some
Overall rating: 8