Free Anarchy Online MMORPG until January 15, 2008

Who says you can’t play a science fiction MMORPG without paying a penny for the software or monthly subscription fees? Funcom, the makers of Anarchy Online are offering a free download of the original Rubi-Ka Anarchy Online software as well as the ability to play until January 15, 2008 without any monthly subscription fees.

They do add the following caveat, just in case:

Should Funcom deem that server load or other unforeseen events will lessen the experience for paying subscribers the offer will be terminated at our discretion. 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 monthly subscription and client fees will be added.

Besides Dungeons & Dragons probably my most favorite RPG as a kid was the TSR science fiction Gamma World. I just saw it on an eBay auction along with Top Secret (spy RPG) in somewhat weathered condition. Another TSR favorite of mine was Boot Hill which was based on the old west. I’m not aware of a MMORPG that focuses on the old west.

There have been other science fiction MMORPGs perhaps most notably Star Wars Galaxies, but that one has never really taken off as Sony had hoped. It seems most gamers prefer Dungeons & Dragons type MMORPG like World of Warcraft, Everquest and so on.

We actually bought two boxed versions of Anarchy Online in the store several years ago and subscribed for a little while but the game’s missions were a bit too repetitive to keep our interest: find a place, fight a bunch of robots gone mad, earn XP and then buy futuristic gear, nanotech implants and more.

Credits are the currency and you can play four different types of characters as well as be male or female in three of the races. There are 14 different professions you can choose from like: Soldier, special agent, pet profession, healer, technological expert, trader, adventurer, etc.

For those who use Opera, the official Anarchy Online site offers an Opera browser skinned version. Want to learn more about AO from the players before playing? Check the official Anarchy Online forums.

If you’ve been itching to try an MMORPG with a science fiction backdrop but didn’t have it in the budget, you might want to try Anarchy Online.

Happy hunting!