Press Release from FunCom, offering free Anarchy Online play for a year. The fine print:

In a unique move Funcom is removing all cost barriers in the ultimate sci-fi MMORPG, allowing all new players to enter and stay, free of cost! At the same time Funcom is departing from the obligatory need to register with a credit card, making for an easier entrance and registration process.
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As mentioned existing users can also take advantage of this offer, but ONLY if you start a new account. In order to take advantage of the completely free offer you need to sign up a new Anarchy Online account between the 15th of December 2004 and 15th of January 2005. Once you have done so you can play free of charge until 1/1 2006. Other restrictions and conditions may apply. See registration information for details. We would also like to add that the free version does not include access to any of the three expansion packs. Should you wish to upgrade to any of the expansion packs regular monthly subscription and client fees will be added.

Interesting business model – and it just might work, too. Hopefully gets a lot of people through the turnstile, and in theory your new shiney is cool enough that no new customers feel they can go without it. It will also make the game feel more crowded, which makes an MMO more attractive. Of course, this effectively grants a free buffbot/mule account or ten to all of your existing customers, and gives griefers theoretically a shadow account they can wage mischief with without repercussions. I don’t know enough about AO’s gaming model to know how damaging that will be to their game, but it will have an impact.

Only thing I’d really debate is the timing. Note to Funcom: we’re a little busy right now. Even money says they end up extending the deadline off the back end.

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