Launched in 2010 by S2 Games, Heroes of Newerth was originally priced at $30. Now the game's F2P model will include Basic, Verified, and Legacy accounts with the ability to purchase new heroes via microtransactions, LoL-style.
"With the transition to free-to-play we're opening HoN up to new audiences as our players can now easily introduce the game to their friends," S2 Games CEO and co-founder Marc DeForest said in a statement. "S2 has a serious level of commitment to our players to continuously improve both the game and their experience. With the new account types and match-making standards in place, both novice and existing players will benefit from the upgraded structure."
For veteran HoN players worried about the n00b invasion, S2 games is making all existing account holders Legacy players, granting them free access to all HoN heroes for life, and Basic players will battle in matches separate from Verified and Legacy players. Basic players must also cross a play-time threshold before achieving Verified status.
Valve's entry into the genre, DOTA 2, is expected to be unveiled at Gamescom in Germany next month.
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