Defiance switches to free-to-play model

Trion World has announced that its television tie-in MMO shooter Defiance has now switched to a free-to-play model. The switch happens just in time for the SyFy show Defiance's second season premiere on June 19 at 8/7c. Both new and returning players can adventure through the entire Bay Area storyline and quests, in addition to newly-added Stahma’s Interests story missions.

Players that purchase either a new box or digital copy of the game receive the following bonuses:

•  A grant of 1,000 Arkforge, in-game currency redeemable for resetting weapon mastery, upgrading a weapon’s power rating, or even bumping an uncommon weapon to epic rarity.
• 4 Character Slots, 5 Loadouts, up to 75 Ark Keycodes, and a minimum 70 Inventory Slots.
• 30 days of Paradise Patron status

Players who opt for the Paradise Patron status receive the following bonuses:

• Boosts to skill, XP, scrip, salvage, and reputation gain rates that stack with the matching boosts available in the store.
• 10% store-wide discount – boosts, costumes, lock boxes, all of it!
• A grab bag of one-hour boosts or Arkforge from Daily and Weekly Ark Hunter Bonus Lock Boxes.

Defiance is available now for Windows PC through the official game website. The free-to-play launch on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 is scheduled for July 15.