If there's one thing that beats having a game become free to play, it's having that same game become completely free. Codemasters Online Gaming's ArchLord has now adopted a "100% free" gaming stance by introducing downloadable game clients for people to play ArchLord.

According to this new scheme, players can now forego buying the game from stores. Instead, they can download the game and grab an authorization key through the ArchLord website. To compensate gamers who recently bought the game, however, Codemasters is offering credits for their in-game microtransaction system so that players can buy additional goodies for their character.

It certainly looks like an impressive way to draw in more players, as there's almost no way you can lose out. The only question is, are you going to try to become ArchLord too?

Rumors that the MMORPG ArchLord is going through some tough times sprung from their recent promotional campaign where players get 6,000 in-game credits if they purchase a retail version of the game.

 

As a response, Codemasters Online Gaming, the developers of ArchLord, says that its player base "still increases week on week." They refuse, however, to reveal the actual numbers of their population.

This is a fair move by Codemasters. Whether or not their actual numbers have gone up or down it's only fair play not to show your cards while you're still in the game, unless you have a Royal Flush; then you can scare away all the competition. Codemasters is also behind Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar and while this MMORPG enjoys success without doubt, they have not released statistical information for the game either.They comment: " As with any MMO, publishers never release that information. Unless, of course, you are Blizzard and have over 8 million subscribers."

Codemasters assures that "ArchLord is still very much in Codemasters Online Gaming's future plans with new content (in the form of Episode II) currently in testing and further content beyond that in development." The free expansion pack will add castle sieges as part of the gameplay and the chance for a lucky player to become the ArchLord. The first ruling ArchLord to be crowned will receive an authentic suit of armor worth US$ 10,000.

 

With the expansion to ArchLord coming out in a few weeks, Codemasters hopes to attract more players to the game by bundling 6,000 in-game credits with every purchase of the game's retail version.

These 6,000 credits can be spent by new players at the Chantra Shop to purchase items which would help them catch up with the more seasoned veterans of game and participate in whatever events happen at the release.

Codemasters hopes that players will experience better value by buying the game with the credit bonus and that this move would attract even more players to join the growing community competing to become the ArchLord. This offer comes only with new accounts made via purchased retail versions but is not applicable to downloaded versions.

ArchLord is currently being sold in all major retailers across Europe and North America so finding a place to lay your hands on a copy won't be too much of a problem. With 6,000 credits to sweeten the deal, you won't find yourself short for some of those pretty items the shop has to offer either.

Codemasters has just announced the release of the ArchLord graphic novel. You've played the game, so why not read all about it as well? Created in collaboration with TOKYOPOP, the graphic novel is based exclusively on ArchLord's lore and set in Chantra’s past. Readers will get to follow the adventures of Leon, a descendant of the legendary Nathan Manas, the founder of human civilization in Chantra and renowned for mastering the power of the legendary Archons.

"The manga is an incredible compliment to the game, delving into the personal lives of characters that exist in the backdrop of the multi-player world," said TOKYOPOP Editor Luis Reyes. "It examines the mythology of ArchLord in a way that draws game enthusiasts closer to the overall story."

"The partnership with TOKYOPOP and the creation of the ArchLord graphic novel just goes to show that ArchLord's popularity is growing outside the normal boundaries of the MMO gaming audience," said Adam McGowan, Product Marketing Manager for Codemasters Online Gaming. "This is a testament to the depth of game play offered and means that ArchLord will continue to capture the imagination of both gamers and manga comic fans in the future."

The ArchLord graphic novel is already out in North America. You can grab one from most major book stores in the U.S. for US$ 9.99. A European launch is also in the works.

   

More images from the graphic novel after the jump!

 

No, they don't answer prayers. And no, they don't grant Bruce Almighty powers either. Metaboli is a company that offers Games on Demand (GoD) service that lets subscribers download a hefty number of games for a monthly fee.

They are currently offering Arch Lord, a fantasy MMO and it will be the first MMO to appear on a GoD service. Hmm, makes us wonder - Arch Lord has just opened free-to-play service or is that for the US alone? Anyway, subscribers would have the upside of being able to download the game anywhere. Arch Lord will be available to download in February.

Other titles available for download are Company of Heroes and Dawn of War Anthology from THQ, plus Tomb Raider: Legend, Hitman: Blood Money, and others.

Good news for all Ashen Empires players out there! Developer Iron Will Games is giving you the chance to strut your PvP skills as the company has a tournament planned especially for you. And come on, don't give us the crap that you're only joining for fun. We're pretty sure a prize package including 2GB iPod Nano from Apple sounds good enough to persuade you.

To join, send an email to support@ashenempires.com with the subject title "AE Tournament Entry." Your entry should contain your character's name and its level as well as your server. This is the rather tricky part: The tournament will be using brackets and they will be randomly generated. This means that it is possible for a rookie to be paired with a seasoned player so you better start building your character up now.

Furthermore, the tournament will be in single elimination format and will take place in Lotor's Castle Arena. While the bracketing and start times will be announced on February 20, entries should be received by midnight of the 15th and not a minute after. The tournament will be conducted on March 3 and 4.

The world of Chantra is gearing up for the arrival of Christmas, and players can look forward to a Christmas event to celebrate the holiday season in Codemasters' Archlord. The event is open to everyone regardless of class or level, and since Christmas is supposed to be the time for giving, players can expect some nifty rewards for participating.

Here are the event dates and venues:

December 21 - Server Gaiahon - 19:00GMT / Tullan Marketplace
December 21 - Server Brumhart - 00:00GMT/ Tullan Marketplace

Note: 19:00 GMT = 20:00 CET = 14h EST
00:00 GMT = 01:00 CET = 19h EST

The event will be divided into two parts. The rewards for the first part are ten Resurrection Orbs and two 5000 Lens stones. For the second part, five Talismans of Awakening and 15 Passports (divided into 5 per city) are up for grabs. If you have some spare time, be sure to put on some stout walking boots and enjoy a great Christmas on Chantra.

"The best things in life are free," as the saying goes, and while we're still waiting for it to rain Coke (The drink, silly) and PS3's like mana from heaven, we thought this other news would suffice: Starting January 4, 2007, no further subscription payments will be required to play ArchLord, with December 4 to January 4 being the last billing month for this MMORPG.

As Codemasters Online Gaming">Adam McGowan, Product Marketing Manager for Codemasters Online Gaming had to say about this latest development:

We are extremely pleased to offer gamers the chance to play ArchLord for free. With both the switch to free to play and huge new forthcoming content updates in the form of the free new Episode 2 expansion, we hope to see many more players joining ArchLord, taking their opportunity to raise an army and rule the world.

In relation to this, Codemasters Online Gaming also announced the release of free in-game credits items for both old and new players to to allow them access to the Chantra shop and to help get them started in this MMO.

Players with three, six or 12-month subscriptions are eligible for a refund in light of the new free to play policy, and guys who've just purchased their copy of Archlord without having to pay for a subscription, and can expect to partake of the freebie play when their initial 30 days finishes. Lastly, expect to still pick up your daily dose of updates, including the much-awaited episode two expansion. For more details on this move, click on the read link below.

Early last month, Codemasters called everyone to arms and attempted the largest PvP battle in an MMO to celebrate Arch Lord's "End of Beta". Things have now heated up. The title of THE "Arch Lord" is going to be up for grabs and sign ups for the PvP tournament has been opened.

You have to form a team of 10 fellow players and fill up a roster form in their site. If your team gets picked, the team captain opens up a guild for other players to join. Once everything is set, the PvP can begin. Here is the point system that's going to be used for the tourney:

• 1 Point will be awarded to the losing team along with 25,000 gold
• 3 Points will be awarded to the winning guild and 100,000 gold
• -1 Point will be issued to guilds that fail to field a valid team

Players Level 15 and higher can participate, so if you're still starting out, you better gat a move on. They're giving everyone two weeks to sign-up, so that should give you enough time to hack it out and level up. Let the festivities begin, people!

To start your journey into Arch-Lorddom, click the "Read" link below. The tourney rules and roster sign-ups are located on the left-hand side menu, under "Guild Tournament".

The Support Team of the NHN Games-developed MMORPG, ArchLord, is taking a firm stand against real-money trading and Bots. The team mentioned that they are already seeing the beginnings of an RMT element in the game and that there have been some players who have accused them that they are not doing enough measures to prevent these. Now, they've had enough.

The team has already initiated multiple investigations that lead to the banning of numerous accounts which includes various Ebay and website RMT groups. Of course, eliminating anything that leads to an unfair gaming environment will require the cooperation of the gamers. So, they are urging players to report suspected RMT or Bots via the support system.

Aside from that, they are offering players who have bought from RMTs to come forward under a one week amnesty, They wouldn't be punished for now, but if they do this again in the future, then they'll face harsher punishments. Any divulged details will remain confidential.