Codemasters Online Gaming (COG) today announced that ArchLord, the epic fantasy MMORPG where one player can rise to become the ruler of the world, is planned to become a free-to-play service with no monthly subscription fee. Additionally, fans of ArchLord will be excited to know that the game will continue to receive content updates, including the upcoming Episode 2: Season of Siege, a free expansion due to launch in the coming weeks.

“We are extremely pleased to offer gamers the chance to play ArchLord for free,” comments Adam McGowan, Product Marketing Manager for COG. “With both the switch to free to play and huge new forthcoming content updates like the Episode 2: Season of Siege expansion, we hope to see many more players taking their opportunity to raise an army and rule the world.”

Beginning January 4, 2007, no further subscription payments will be required to play ArchLord, and the period from December 4, 2006 through January 4, 2007 will be the last official billing period before switching to the free-to-play service.

As the transformation takes place, existing three, six or 12-month ArchLord subscribers will be eligible for refunds. New players who purchase a retail copy of ArchLord will be able to play without paying for a subscription, as the retail box provides 30 days free play, and the game will have switched to its free-to-play model by the end of this period.

Further, COG will be offering free in-game credits to all existing and future Archlord players. The free credits can be used in the Chantra shop to purchase a variety of in-game enhancements to assist players throughout the game. For further details on the free to play service, visit archlordgame.com/freetoplay