{{short description|2009 video game}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}} {{Infobox video game | title = Free Realms | state = | image = Logo of Free Realms.png | alt = Logo of Free Realms. | developer = [[Daybreak Game Company|Sony Online Entertainment]] | publisher = Sony Online Entertainment | engine = [[ForgeLight]] | platforms = [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Mac OS X]], [[PlayStation 3]] | released = '''Windows'''<br />April 28, 2009<br />'''Mac OS X'''<br />November 2, 2010<ref name="forums.station.sony.com" /><br />'''PlayStation 3'''<br />March 29, 2011<ref name="blog.us.playstation.com">{{cite web|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/03/11/free-realms-available-on-psn-march-29/ |title=Free Realms Available on PSN March 29 – PlayStation Blog |date=March 11, 2011 |publisher=Blog.us.playstation.com |access-date=May 30, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/33483/SOEs_Free_Realms_Releasing_For_PS3_On_March_29.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110313012524/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/33483/SOEs_Free_Realms_Releasing_For_PS3_On_March_29.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 13, 2011 |title=SOE's Free Realms Releasing For PS3 On March 29 |author=Eric Caoili |date=March 11, 2011|publisher=Gamasutra |access-date=March 11, 2011}}</ref> | genre = [[Massively multiplayer online game|Massively multiplayer online]], [[adventure game|adventure]] | modes = [[Multiplayer video game|Multiplayer]] }}
'''''Free Realms''''' was a [[massively multiplayer online role-playing game]] (MMORPG) developed by [[Sony Online Entertainment]] (SOE) set in a fantasy-themed world called Sacred Grove. The game was first released on April 28, 2009, for [[Microsoft Windows]]. Versions for [[Mac OS X]] and [[PlayStation 3]] followed in subsequent years. The game was [[free-to-play]] with leveling restrictions, with access to additional content available through a membership fee. The game allowed the player to fight, interact with other players, take up jobs, and more.
The game's servers were shut down on March 31, 2014, in a closure of three other SOE MMOs that year (''[[Vanguard: Saga of Heroes|Vanguard]]'', ''[[Wizardry Online|Wizardry]]'', ''[[Clone Wars Adventures]]''). SOE gave as reason that it was necessary to devote resources to other games,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Birnbaum |first=Ian |date=24 January 2014 |title=SOE announces closure of four MMOs including Free Realms and Vanguard: Saga of Heroes |work=[[PC Gamer]] |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/soe-announces-closure-of-4-mmos-including-free-realms-vanguard-saga-of-heroes/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406034148/https://www.pcgamer.com/soe-announces-closure-of-4-mmos-including-free-realms-vanguard-saga-of-heroes/ |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |access-date=May 9, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.blackgate.com/2014/01/26/sony-shuts-down-vanguard-saga-of-heroes-and-three-other-mmos/ | title=Sony Shuts Down Vanguard: Saga of Heroes and Three Other MMOs – Black Gate | date=January 26, 2014 }}</ref> and later, to move away from games oriented to children, when SOE President [[John Smedley (business executive)|John Smedley]] stated in a Reddit ask-me-anything that "Kids don't spend well and it's very difficult to run a kids game. Turns out kids do mean stuff to each other a lot."<ref name="Olivetti">{{Cite web |last=Olivetti |first=Justin |date=January 9, 2021 |title=The Game Archaeologist: Free Realms |url=https://massivelyop.com/2021/01/09/the-game-archaeologist-free-realms/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203200223/https://massivelyop.com/2021/01/09/the-game-archaeologist-free-realms/ |archive-date=February 3, 2023 |access-date=May 9, 2023 |website=Massively Overpowered}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Royce |first=Bree |date=April 29, 2022 |title=Free Realms would've turned 13 years old this week if it were still alive |url=https://massivelyop.com/2022/04/29/free-realms-wouldve-turned-13-years-old-this-week-if-it-were-still-alive/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315154624/https://massivelyop.com/2022/04/29/free-realms-wouldve-turned-13-years-old-this-week-if-it-were-still-alive/ |archive-date=March 15, 2024 |access-date=March 15, 2024 |website=[[Massively Overpowered]] }}</ref>
==Gameplay== ''Free Realms'' contained many of the staples of MMORPG's at the time, such as an [[Open world|open 3D environment]] to explore and [[Quest (video games)|quests]] to complete for usable rewards. Unlike most MMORPG's, ''Free Realms'' set out to appeal to children as well as adults with a [[family-friendly]] design<ref name="Olivetti"/> and muted combat visuals, such as a lack of blood or explicit death; whirling stars would appear above a fallen enemy's head when defeated, indicating unconsciousness.<ref>{{cite AV media |title=Free Realms Gameplay - First Look HD |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PEkuJgkSDw |date=February 10, 2011 |publisher=[[MMOHuts]] |access-date=January 9, 2024 |type=video |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> The player could choose between two races, [[pixie]] or human,<ref name="Welsh"/> and take up any number of the fifteen available jobs on a single character. Jobs could involve combat or trade, though not all jobs did, and were leveled individually through questlines unique to each job.<ref name="Krause"/>
Players in ''Free Realms'' were given a personal apartment for free; larger [[player home]]s were obtainable through membership or individual purchase. Homes could be decorated with over 100 unique items such as a stone head, dance floor, and rocket ship.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fresh update adds seasonal event, housing, new pets, fishing... |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/free-realms-fresh-update-adds-seasonal-event-housing-new-pets-fishing |website=gamesindustry.biz |access-date=24 December 2025}}</ref>
== Business model == The base game was available to download and play free of charge. ''Free Realms'' offered an optional membership for a single player, which allowed for 3 characters to be created per account, plus other benefits such as member-only quests, jobs and items.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Free Realms Membership Guide: Job Access, More Characters, Power Hour and More |url=https://www.gameyum.com/free-realms/38719-membership-guide/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705121705/https://www.gameyum.com/free-realms/38719-membership-guide/ |archive-date=July 5, 2024 |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=Game Yum|date=June 14, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freerealms.com/memberBenefits.vm | title= Free Realms Member Benefits |access-date=April 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110173326/http://www.freerealms.com/memberBenefits.vm |archive-date=November 10, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Free Realms'' also employed the Station Cash currency, usable across several SOE games, which could purchase items and features as [[microtransactions]], as well as pay for membership.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soe.com/stationcash/faq.vm#01|title=Station Cash FAQ|publisher=SOE.COM|date=September 16, 2013|access-date=September 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905044814/https://www.soe.com/stationcash/faq.vm#01|archive-date=September 5, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Free Realms - Station Cash™ |url=http://www.freerealms.com/stationCash.vm |website=Free Realms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807090918/http://www.freerealms.com/stationCash.vm |archive-date=August 7, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
Versions of ''Free Realms'' for Mac and PlayStation 3 were announced at SOE Fan Faire 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freerealmsinsider.com/content/2625-breaking-free-realms-headed-ps3-and-mac-next-3-months |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122070728/http://www.freerealmsinsider.com/content/2625-breaking-free-realms-headed-ps3-and-mac-next-3-months |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |title=Breaking: Free Realms Headed To PS3 And Mac In The Next 3 Months! |publisher=Freerealmsinsider.com |access-date=May 30, 2012}}</ref> The Mac version was released on November 2, 2010.<ref name="forums.station.sony.com">{{cite web |url=http://forums.station.sony.com/freerealms/posts/list.m?topic_id=23469 |title=Maintenance for November 2, 2010 |publisher=Forums.station.sony.com |access-date=May 30, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314085704/http://forums.station.sony.com/freerealms/posts/list.m?topic_id=23469 |archive-date=March 14, 2012 }}</ref> The PlayStation 3 version was released on March 31, 2011 on the US PlayStation Store, September 11 in the EU, and was accessible via the [[PlayStation Network]].<ref name= "blog.us.playstation.com" /><ref>{{cite web | last = Welsh | first = Oli | date = February 12, 2009 | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/free-realms-to-launch-in-early-april | title = Free Realms to launch in early April News | publisher = [[Eurogamer]] | access-date =February 12, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/03/29/free-realms-hits-psn-today-with-voice-chat-trophies//|title=Free Realms hits PSN today with Voice Chat, Trophies|publisher=Playstation Blog US|date=March 29, 2011 |access-date=April 22, 2011}}</ref><ref name="EU Launch">{{cite web|title=Free Realms News|url=http://www.freerealms.com/article/detail.action?articleId=2282|publisher=SOE|access-date=October 4, 2011}}</ref>
The PC version was accessed via a browser plug-in<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 14, 2009 |title=Free Realms - Walkthrough, Tips, Review |url=https://jayisgames.com/review/free-realms.php#goog_rewarded |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401144313/https://jayisgames.com/review/free-realms.php |archive-date=April 1, 2023 |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=[[JayIsGames]]}}</ref> paired with the ''Free Realms'' website,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.freerealms.com/index.vm | title = Welcome To Free Realms | access-date =May 6, 2009}}</ref> [[PCH Games|Candy Stand]],<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.candystand.com/play/free-realms | title = Free Realms – Candystand.com }}{{Dead link|date=March 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> or [[Miniclip]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.miniclip.com/games/free-realms/en/ | title = Free Realms – Miniclip.com | access-date = May 11, 2009 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090506155705/http://www.miniclip.com/games/free-realms/en/ | archive-date = May 6, 2009 }}</ref> Before ''Free Realms'' was shut down, SOE planned to offer a "family" membership that would allow multiple logins through one account at the same time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://help.freerealms.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/20772/c/1732/page/5/r_id/158 |title=Free Realms – Support |publisher=Help.freerealms.com |access-date=May 30, 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |fix-attempted=yes |url=}}</ref>
== Reception == {{Video game reviews | EuroG = 7/10<ref name="Welsh" /> | IGN = 8.8<ref name="Krause">{{cite web|url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/980/980202p3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509191647/http://pc.ign.com/articles/980/980202p3.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 9, 2009|title=Free Realms Review|last=Krause|first=Staci|date=May 6, 2009|publisher=IGN.com|access-date=May 25, 2009}}</ref> | rev1 = ''[[USA Today]]'' | rev1Score = 4/5<ref name="Saltzman" /> }}
In ''[[The New York Times]]'', reviewer Seth Shiesel noted, "For Sony Online, ''Free Realms'' is a triumph of the company's own reinvention."<ref name="Shiesel">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/21/arts/television/21free.html?_r=1|title=Pick a Role, Any Role, Then Live Nine Lives|last=Shiesel|first=Seth|date=May 20, 2009|work=New York Times|access-date=May 25, 2009}}</ref> ''[[USA Today]]'' reviewer Marc Saltzman gave ''Free Realms'' a 4/5 score, noting "Sony Online Entertainment's ''Free Realms'' is an extraordinary online adventure that is sure to please tweens and teens looking for a fun and free fantasy world."<ref name="Saltzman">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/marcsaltzman/2009-05-21-free-realms_N.htm|title='Free Realms' offers world of family-friendly fun|last=Saltzman|first=Marc|date=May 21, 2009|publisher=USA Today|access-date=May 25, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125045527/https://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/marcsaltzman/2009-05-21-free-realms_N.htm |archive-date=November 25, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[Eurogamer]]'' gave the game a largely positive review, with MMO editor Oli Welsh describing the game as "an effortlessly light and addictive indulgence".<ref name="Welsh">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/free-realms-review|title=Free Realms Review|last=Welsh|first=Oli|date=May 27, 2009|publisher=Eurogamer}}</ref> MMOHuts gave the game a 4/5 and noted that "''Free Realms'' is one of the most feature-rich free MMORPGs currently available and it's all delivered in a beautiful package".<ref name="Erhan">{{cite web|url=http://mmohuts.com/review/free-realms|title=Free Realms Game Review|last=Altay|first=Erhan|date=May 24, 2009|publisher=MMOHuts}}</ref> In a review of ''Free Realms'' at [[USA Network]]'s Character Arcade, [[David Chapman (journalist)|David Chapman]] stated that the game "is a surprisingly deep game experience for a free to play model. There's never a shortage of things to do ... even if you never pay a dime to Sony."<ref name="Chapman">{{cite news|url=http://theclik.characterarcade.com/game-types/mmo/review-free-realms-pc.php|title='Review: Free Realms (PC)|last=Chapman|first=David|date=May 19, 2010|publisher=USA Network|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526004022/http://theclik.characterarcade.com/game-types/mmo/review-free-realms-pc.php|archive-date=May 26, 2010}}</ref>
[[John Smedley (developer)|John Smedley]], president of Sony Online Entertainment, revealed that one million users had signed up to ''Free Realms'' 18 days after its launch.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonyinsider.com/2009/05/24/soes-free-realms-has-a-million-unique-registered-users/|title=SOE's Free Realms Has A Million Unique Registered Users|last=MacManus|first=Christopher|date=May 24, 2009|publisher=Sony Insider|access-date=May 25, 2009}}</ref> A month after release, the game had reached two million users,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/free-realms-hits-over-2-million-users|title=Free Realms hits over 2 million users|last=Martin |first=Matt|date=May 27, 2009|publisher=Games Industry|access-date=June 12, 2009}}</ref> and registrations had continued growing at a steady rate from then on. SOE announced in February 2010 that ''Free Realms'' had eight million registered users,<ref>{{cite web|last=Clarke|first=Robert|date=February 8, 2010|url=http://aperturegames.com/listnews.php?story=free-realms-boasts-8-million-registered-users|title=Free Realms Boasts 8 Million Registered Users|publisher=Aperture Games|access-date=February 8, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811145039/http://aperturegames.com/listnews.php?story=free-realms-boasts-8-million-registered-users|archive-date=August 11, 2011}}</ref> and the following April announced a player count of ten million, in time for the game's first anniversary.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nunnely-Jackson |first=Stephany |url=https://www.vg247.com/free-realms-hits-the-10-million-user-mark |title=Free Realms hits the 10 million user mark |website=[[VG247]] |date=April 2, 2010 |access-date=March 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315151328/https://www.vg247.com/free-realms-hits-the-10-million-user-mark |archive-date=March 15, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Comic == A ''Free Realms'' tie-in [[comic]] series was published by DC subsidiary [[WildStorm]], beginning in 2009 for $4.99 per issue. The series held twelve issues, each of which contained a unique one-time code redeemable for an in-game virtual reward. The comic was written by [[J. S. Lewis]], writer of the ''[[Grey Griffins]]'' series of young-adult fantasy books, with art by Allen Martinez and Jon Buran.<ref>{{cite web|last=McElroy |first=Griffin |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/23/free-realms-comic-coming-july-29-includes-in-game-bonuses/ |title=Free Realms comic coming July 29, includes in-game bonuses |publisher=Joystiq |date=July 23, 2009 |access-date=May 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602194722/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/23/free-realms-comic-coming-july-29-includes-in-game-bonuses/ |archive-date=June 2, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=FREE REALMS #1 |url=https://www.dc.com/comics/free-realms-2009/free-realms-1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212095827/https://www.dc.com/comics/free-realms-2009/free-realms-1 |archive-date=December 12, 2023 |access-date=December 12, 2023 |website=[[DC Comics|DC]]}}</ref>
The comic featured Dane Kensington, an aspiring Brawler who set out on an adventure in hopes of becoming stronger.
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Cite web |url=http://www.freerealms.com/ |title=Main website |access-date=April 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223004653/http://www.freerealms.com/ |archive-date=February 23, 2014 |url-status=dead }}
{{Daybreak Game Company}}
[[Category:Massively multiplayer online role-playing games]] [[Category:2009 video games]] [[Category:Online games shut down in 2014]] [[Category:Fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing games]] [[Category:Free-to-play video games]] [[Category:Inactive massively multiplayer online games]] [[Category:Digital collectible card games]] [[Category:MacOS games]] [[Category:PlayStation 3 games]] [[Category:PlayStation Network games]] [[Category:Video games adapted into comics]] [[Category:Video games developed in the United States]] [[Category:Windows games]]