Dungeons & Dragons Online Going Free-to-Play in Europe
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DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ONLINE®: Stormreachâ„¢ Service Transition
Today we announce the next steps for Dungeons & Dragons Online®: Stormreachâ„¢ (DDO) for Europe. After operating the European service for over four years, our operating licence has now expired and it is with much sadness we announce our intention to transfer the European game service back to Turbine.
We have been working closely with Turbine on transition plans for European DDO players, and will be helping players integrate into the existing global DDO service operated by Turbine, where they will receive access to the latest version of Dungeons & Dragons Online®: Eberron Unlimitedâ„¢ (DDO Unlimited).
What does this mean to you as a current European player? It means that Codemasters Online will continue to operate the current European DDO service until 20th August, 2010. Beginning 20th August, European players will be able to play the global DDO Unlimited service operated by Turbine. To transfer your character to the global service, you will need to opt in with Turbine. Specific instructions on how to opt in to transfer your character will be provided in a later email.
The last full day of service will be 19th August, 2010. All European DDO game servers will be permanently inactive on the morning of Friday 20th August, UK time. The ability to purchase subscriptions will be disabled and all recurring payments will be turned off as of today. Likewise, the creation of new DDO game accounts/subscriptions is now disabled. For further information, please see our DDO Service Transition FAQ in the forums.
You can start playing on the global DDO Unlimited service beginning 20th August. Just create a free account at www.ddo.com and adventure again in the land of Eberron with no monthly subscription required. With the in-game store, you the player can choose how you pay and play. There are many great changes in the game, including guild airships, new hirelings, and many new adventures. When character transfer becomes available, you will be able to move your current DDO Stormreach characters to the newly created DDO Unlimited account on the new global DDO service. The service is currently available only in English, with additional languages expected by end of year.
As a loyalty and welcome reward, Turbine is offering all current and former DDO Europe players 5,000 Turbine Points (nearly a €50 value) when they transfer their characters to the new global service. The points can be spent in the DDO Store to add adventure packs, character slots to your account, and much more.
It has been a great pleasure for all here at Codemasters Online to work on a game that has brought the wonderful world of Dungeons & Dragons Online®, to the online gaming arena. Over the last four years we've had the privilege of working with one of the most passionate and considerate gaming communities we've ever seen and we hope that everyone who has enjoyed the DDO European service continues to manifest such attributes when the service transfers over to Turbine.
We'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported DDO. In particular, a special mention goes out to those that went the extra mile, bringing the community the wonderful Stormreach Chronicle, player events and dedicated fan sites.
The Codemasters Online Team
www.codemasters.com
Then the FAQ:
Where can I find out more details about the Codemasters European service?
You can find more information at http://www.ddo-europe.com
Who will be running the European Dungeons & Dragons Online (DDO) service?
Turbine will operate the global DDO service, including Europe, starting August 20th 2010.
What is the website address of the Turbine global DDO service?
Beginning August 20, 2010, the website address for the global DDO service is www.ddo.com. From there you can register for a free account and access the global DDO community.
Will the game continue to be provided in English, French and German?
The global English-language service will go online on August 20, 2010. Turbine is working to launch the German and French language versions later this year.
What if I don't speak English?
Currently, the global DDO service is English only. Customer support will be provided in English. We expect to offer customer support and community features in French and German later this year.
When can we log in to the Turbine global DDO service?
Players can access the Turbine global DDO service to create a new account beginning August 20, 2010 and start playing for free.
What will happen to European characters?
Character data from the Codemasters European DDO service will be passed to Turbine after the Codemasters Online service is closed on August 19, 2010. We will be providing free character transfers to the new global service and players will be notified when the character transfer is available. As a welcome and thank you, Turbine is offering all current and former European players 5,000 free Turbine Points, worth nearly €50, when they transfer their character(s) to the global DDO service
If our characters are transferred to the global service, will it just be the characters or all of their items and equipment as well?
We will provide more information at a later date on www.ddo.com regarding the details of the transfer of character data.
How do I play DDO moving forward?
Current European players may continue to play DDO on the Codemasters servers until August 19, 2010. After that time you will no longer be able to access your Codemasters account.
To play the DDO global service, you can create a free account at www.ddo.com. By following the character transfer opt in process that will be detailed later, you will be able to move your current DDO Stormreach characters to the newly created DDO Unlimited account, and receive 5,000 Turbine Points as a thank you from Turbine. These points can be spent in the DDO Store to add adventure packs, character slots to your account, and much more.
Are both servers transferring separately, i.e. Keeper to a new Keeper, Devourer to a new Devourer?
Additional details about character transfer and servers will be provided at a later date.
Will I have to set up new billing details after the service has transitioned?
Codemasters Online is working closely with Turbine to facilitate a smooth transition to the global service operated by Turbine. Importantly, no billing information (e.g., credit card information) will be transferred, so if you wish to become a VIP or engage in transactions going forward on the DDO global service you will need to set up new billing details with Turbine.
What version will the new service be running? Will it be DDO Unlimited?
Yes. The Turbine global DDO service runs the latest version of DDO Unlimited.
What happens if someone else already has my character's name on the existing US service?
Additional details about character transfer will be provided at a later date.
I am a subscribing player on the Codemasters service. Will I get all the same benefits that DDO Unlimited VIPs get now?
When you sign up for the global DDO service, you may choose to become a VIP. As long as your subscription to the global service is in good standing, you will enjoy all the benefits of being a VIP player. You can view a full list of VIP benefits at http://www.ddo.com/vip
I want to know more about how Free-to-Play works.
Please visit the DDO Free-to-Play FAQ at http://www.ddo.com/ddogameinfo/faq
What if I already have an account with Turbine on the global DDO service?
After you've opted in to transfer your character from the Codemasters account system, you may elect to have your characters transferred to your existing DDO Unlimited account
Where are the forums for the DDO global service?
The global DDO service forums can be found at http://forums.ddo.com. At this time, the forums are English-language only and we ask that you keep your communications in English. We will make French and German forums available later this year, and apologize for the inconvenience.
Once I've signed up for the global DDO service, what community features do I have access to?
Players on the global DDO service can post to the forums, MyDDO, and the Compendium.
What happens to my guild?
Additional details about character transfer will be provided by Turbine at a later date.
I still have a box copy of the Codemasters EuropeanDungeons & Dragons Online® Stormreachgame client. Can I use it, or any of its special promotions, for the Turbine global DDO service?
No, the Codemasters DDO Stormreach box copy, and any special offers it contains, are not valid for the DDO global service. You may create an account, and download the game client, for the Turbine global DDO service at www.ddo.com instead.
And a bit from the interview:
"Beginning 20th August, all European players can visit the official site to download and play the English version of DDO Unlimited with no monthly subscription required. Turbine's new German and French service will enter beta before the end of the year."
Turbine is working with Codemasters "to facilitate a smooth transition" to its new global service.
"We will be providing free character transfers to the new global service and players will be notified when the character transfer is available. Please note that all accounts will only be accessible through our English service until our new German and French services come online.
"As a thank you to our European players for their patience during this transition and to reward their loyalty, we are offering all current and former DDO Europe subscribers 5000 Turbine Points (nearly a €50/£42 value) when they transfer their characters. These points can be spent in the DDO Store on additional character slots, premium content, and much more.
