Update: After originally targeting a Late-March release, Funcom have now cemented its re-tooled MMO 'Secret World Legends' in for a June 26 release.
Now set to arrive in the heat of Summer, Secret World Legends represents another shift for Funcom's 'shared world' MMO. First released in 2012 to critical acclaim, the title suffered under the weight of the the crashing MMO market and struggled to find continued success.
Going from a subscription-based service to a single payment MMO, Secret Worlds Legends is Funcom's latest attempt to keep the game going strong. Opting for a full free-to-play format this time around, the update revamps many of its core systems to appeal to the hopeful influx of new players and those who'd rather plow through its Lovecraft-style story on their own.
Original Story: We heard about their plans through Funcom's 'Year End' earnings report, but it's finally time to hear the real deal. The Secret World is relaunching as Secret World Legends this Spring.
For those unaware, The Secret World is one of Funcom's latest - and greatest - attempts at tackling the MMO genre. While it didn't come with the same launch issues as their earlier attempt with Age of Conan, it didn't have much staying power outside of those who truly marvelled in its cryptic illuminati-esque storyline.
Shifting from a subscription model to a 'Buy once play forever' scheme a couple of years ago, Funcom isn't through with their attempts to really shine a spotlight on a game many consider to be one of the best instances of a story-based MMO to this day. “Over the course of five years, The Secret World has created a truly memorable RPG universe that stands out to this day for the uniqueness of its dark setting and tone," said Rui Casais, CEO of Funcom.
Speaking through the supplied press release, the game's Executive Producer Scott Junior said “One of our biggest goals in relaunching the game has been to reimagine the core gameplay experience in a way befitting a modern-day action RPG,” Essentially that means tweaking the combat to feel "more natural", restructuring the early portions of the game for newer players and improving how missions and quest chains bounce off one another.
Being a relaunch, it's coming with enough tweaks and changes to warrant a beta test period. Head over to its new official website at 'SecretWorldLegends' to learn a little more of its otherworldly lore and slot yourself in for a potential beta slot.
