# Free Realms

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2009 video game

2009 video game

Free Realms Developer Sony Online Entertainment Publisher Sony Online Entertainment Engine ForgeLight Platforms Windows, Mac OS X, PlayStation 3 Release Windows April 28, 2009 Mac OS X November 2, 2010[1] PlayStation 3 March 29, 2011[2][3] Genres Massively multiplayer online, adventure Mode Multiplayer

***Free Realms*** was a [massively multiplayer online role-playing game](/source/Massively_multiplayer_online_role-playing_game) (MMORPG) developed by [Sony Online Entertainment](/source/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](/source/Microsoft_Windows). Versions for [Mac OS X](/source/Mac_OS_X) and [PlayStation 3](/source/PlayStation_3) followed in subsequent years. The game was [free-to-play](/source/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](/source/Vanguard%3A_Saga_of_Heroes)*, *[Wizardry](/source/Wizardry_Online)*, *[Clone Wars Adventures](/source/Clone_Wars_Adventures)*). SOE gave as reason that it was necessary to devote resources to other games,[4][5] and later, to move away from games oriented to children, when SOE President [John Smedley](/source/John_Smedley_(business_executive)) 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."[6][7]

## Gameplay

*Free Realms* contained many of the staples of MMORPG's at the time, such as an [open 3D environment](/source/Open_world) to explore and [quests](/source/Quest_(video_games)) 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](/source/Family-friendly) design[6] 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.[8] The player could choose between two races, [pixie](/source/Pixie) or human,[9] 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.[10]

Players in *Free Realms* were given a personal apartment for free; larger [player homes](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Player_home&action=edit&redlink=1) 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.[11]

## 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.[12][13] *Free Realms* also employed the Station Cash currency, usable across several SOE games, which could purchase items and features as [microtransactions](/source/Microtransactions), as well as pay for membership.[14][15]

Versions of *Free Realms* for Mac and PlayStation 3 were announced at SOE Fan Faire 2010.[16] The Mac version was released on November 2, 2010.[1] 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](/source/PlayStation_Network).[2][17][18][19]

The PC version was accessed via a browser plug-in[20] paired with the *Free Realms* website,[21] [Candy Stand](/source/PCH_Games),[22] or [Miniclip](/source/Miniclip).[23] 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.[24]

## Reception

Reception

Review scores Publication Score Eurogamer 7/10[9] IGN 8.8[10] USA Today 4/5[25]

In *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*, reviewer Seth Shiesel noted, "For Sony Online, *Free Realms* is a triumph of the company's own reinvention."[26] *[USA Today](/source/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."[25] *[Eurogamer](/source/Eurogamer)* gave the game a largely positive review, with MMO editor Oli Welsh describing the game as "an effortlessly light and addictive indulgence".[9] 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".[27] In a review of *Free Realms* at [USA Network](/source/USA_Network)'s Character Arcade, [David Chapman](/source/David_Chapman_(journalist)) 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."[28]

[John Smedley](/source/John_Smedley_(developer)), president of Sony Online Entertainment, revealed that one million users had signed up to *Free Realms* 18 days after its launch.[29] A month after release, the game had reached two million users,[30] 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,[31] and the following April announced a player count of ten million, in time for the game's first anniversary.[32]

## Comic

A *Free Realms* tie-in [comic](/source/Comic) series was published by DC subsidiary [WildStorm](/source/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](/source/J._S._Lewis), writer of the *[Grey Griffins](/source/Grey_Griffins)* series of young-adult fantasy books, with art by Allen Martinez and Jon Buran.[33][34]

The comic featured Dane Kensington, an aspiring Brawler who set out on an adventure in hopes of becoming stronger.

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-forums.station.sony.com_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-forums.station.sony.com_1-1) ["Maintenance for November 2, 2010"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120314085704/http://forums.station.sony.com/freerealms/posts/list.m?topic_id=23469). Forums.station.sony.com. Archived from [the original](http://forums.station.sony.com/freerealms/posts/list.m?topic_id=23469) on March 14, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2012.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-blog.us.playstation.com_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-blog.us.playstation.com_2-1) ["Free Realms Available on PSN March 29 – PlayStation Blog"](http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/03/11/free-realms-available-on-psn-march-29/). Blog.us.playstation.com. March 11, 2011. Retrieved May 30, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Eric Caoili (March 11, 2011). ["SOE's Free Realms Releasing For PS3 On March 29"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110313012524/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/33483/SOEs_Free_Realms_Releasing_For_PS3_On_March_29.php). Gamasutra. Archived from [the original](http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/33483/SOEs_Free_Realms_Releasing_For_PS3_On_March_29.php) on March 13, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Birnbaum, Ian (January 24, 2014). ["SOE announces closure of four MMOs including Free Realms and Vanguard: Saga of Heroes"](https://web.archive.org/web/20230406034148/https://www.pcgamer.com/soe-announces-closure-of-4-mmos-including-free-realms-vanguard-saga-of-heroes/). *[PC Gamer](/source/PC_Gamer)*. Archived from [the original](https://www.pcgamer.com/soe-announces-closure-of-4-mmos-including-free-realms-vanguard-saga-of-heroes/) on April 6, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Sony Shuts Down Vanguard: Saga of Heroes and Three Other MMOs – Black Gate"](https://www.blackgate.com/2014/01/26/sony-shuts-down-vanguard-saga-of-heroes-and-three-other-mmos/). January 26, 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Olivetti_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Olivetti_6-1) Olivetti, Justin (January 9, 2021). ["The Game Archaeologist: Free Realms"](https://web.archive.org/web/20230203200223/https://massivelyop.com/2021/01/09/the-game-archaeologist-free-realms/). *Massively Overpowered*. Archived from [the original](https://massivelyop.com/2021/01/09/the-game-archaeologist-free-realms/) on February 3, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Royce, Bree (April 29, 2022). ["Free Realms would've turned 13 years old this week if it were still alive"](https://massivelyop.com/2022/04/29/free-realms-wouldve-turned-13-years-old-this-week-if-it-were-still-alive/). *[Massively Overpowered](/source/Massively_Overpowered)*. [Archived](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/) from the original on March 15, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [*Free Realms Gameplay - First Look HD*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PEkuJgkSDw) (video). [MMOHuts](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=MMOHuts&action=edit&redlink=1). February 10, 2011. Retrieved January 9, 2024 – via [YouTube](/source/YouTube).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Welsh_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Welsh_9-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Welsh_9-2) Welsh, Oli (May 27, 2009). ["Free Realms Review"](http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/free-realms-review). Eurogamer.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Krause_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Krause_10-1) Krause, Staci (May 6, 2009). ["Free Realms Review"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090509191647/http://pc.ign.com/articles/980/980202p3.html). IGN.com. Archived from [the original](http://pc.ign.com/articles/980/980202p3.html) on May 9, 2009. Retrieved May 25, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Fresh update adds seasonal event, housing, new pets, fishing..."](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/free-realms-fresh-update-adds-seasonal-event-housing-new-pets-fishing) *gamesindustry.biz*. Retrieved December 24, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Free Realms Membership Guide: Job Access, More Characters, Power Hour and More"](https://www.gameyum.com/free-realms/38719-membership-guide/). *Game Yum*. June 14, 2009. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240705121705/https://www.gameyum.com/free-realms/38719-membership-guide/) from the original on July 5, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Free Realms Member Benefits"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131110173326/http://www.freerealms.com/memberBenefits.vm). Archived from [the original](http://www.freerealms.com/memberBenefits.vm) on November 10, 2013. Retrieved April 19, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Station Cash FAQ"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130905044814/https://www.soe.com/stationcash/faq.vm#01). SOE.COM. September 16, 2013. Archived from [the original](https://www.soe.com/stationcash/faq.vm#01) on September 5, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Free Realms - Station Cash™"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130807090918/http://www.freerealms.com/stationCash.vm). *Free Realms*. Archived from [the original](http://www.freerealms.com/stationCash.vm) on August 7, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Breaking: Free Realms Headed To PS3 And Mac In The Next 3 Months!"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210122070728/http://www.freerealmsinsider.com/content/2625-breaking-free-realms-headed-ps3-and-mac-next-3-months). Freerealmsinsider.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.freerealmsinsider.com/content/2625-breaking-free-realms-headed-ps3-and-mac-next-3-months) on January 22, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Welsh, Oli (February 12, 2009). ["Free Realms to launch in early April News"](http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/free-realms-to-launch-in-early-april). [Eurogamer](/source/Eurogamer). Retrieved February 12, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Free Realms hits PSN today with Voice Chat, Trophies"](http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/03/29/free-realms-hits-psn-today-with-voice-chat-trophies//). Playstation Blog US. March 29, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-EU_Launch_19-0)** ["Free Realms News"](http://www.freerealms.com/article/detail.action?articleId=2282). SOE. Retrieved October 4, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Free Realms - Walkthrough, Tips, Review"](https://jayisgames.com/review/free-realms.php#goog_rewarded). *[JayIsGames](/source/JayIsGames)*. June 14, 2009. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230401144313/https://jayisgames.com/review/free-realms.php) from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Welcome To Free Realms"](http://www.freerealms.com/index.vm). Retrieved May 6, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Free Realms – Candystand.com"](http://www.candystand.com/play/free-realms).[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Free Realms – Miniclip.com"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090506155705/http://www.miniclip.com/games/free-realms/en/). Archived from [the original](https://www.miniclip.com/games/free-realms/en/) on May 6, 2009. Retrieved May 11, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Free Realms – Support"](http://help.freerealms.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/20772/c/1732/page/5/r_id/158). Help.freerealms.com. Retrieved May 30, 2012.[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Saltzman_25-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Saltzman_25-1) Saltzman, Marc (May 21, 2009). ["'Free Realms' offers world of family-friendly fun"](https://web.archive.org/web/20101125045527/https://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/marcsaltzman/2009-05-21-free-realms_N.htm). USA Today. Archived from [the original](https://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/marcsaltzman/2009-05-21-free-realms_N.htm) on November 25, 2010. Retrieved May 25, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Shiesel_26-0)** Shiesel, Seth (May 20, 2009). ["Pick a Role, Any Role, Then Live Nine Lives"](https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/21/arts/television/21free.html?_r=1). *New York Times*. Retrieved May 25, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Erhan_27-0)** Altay, Erhan (May 24, 2009). ["Free Realms Game Review"](http://mmohuts.com/review/free-realms). MMOHuts.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Chapman_28-0)** Chapman, David (May 19, 2010). ["'Review: Free Realms (PC)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100526004022/http://theclik.characterarcade.com/game-types/mmo/review-free-realms-pc.php). USA Network. Archived from [the original](http://theclik.characterarcade.com/game-types/mmo/review-free-realms-pc.php) on May 26, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** MacManus, Christopher (May 24, 2009). ["SOE's Free Realms Has A Million Unique Registered Users"](http://www.sonyinsider.com/2009/05/24/soes-free-realms-has-a-million-unique-registered-users/). Sony Insider. Retrieved May 25, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** Martin, Matt (May 27, 2009). ["Free Realms hits over 2 million users"](http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/free-realms-hits-over-2-million-users). Games Industry. Retrieved June 12, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** Clarke, Robert (February 8, 2010). ["Free Realms Boasts 8 Million Registered Users"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110811145039/http://aperturegames.com/listnews.php?story=free-realms-boasts-8-million-registered-users). Aperture Games. Archived from [the original](http://aperturegames.com/listnews.php?story=free-realms-boasts-8-million-registered-users) on August 11, 2011. Retrieved February 8, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** Nunnely-Jackson, Stephany (April 2, 2010). ["Free Realms hits the 10 million user mark"](https://www.vg247.com/free-realms-hits-the-10-million-user-mark). *[VG247](/source/VG247)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240315151328/https://www.vg247.com/free-realms-hits-the-10-million-user-mark) from the original on March 15, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** McElroy, Griffin (July 23, 2009). ["Free Realms comic coming July 29, includes in-game bonuses"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140602194722/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/23/free-realms-comic-coming-july-29-includes-in-game-bonuses/). Joystiq. Archived from [the original](http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/23/free-realms-comic-coming-july-29-includes-in-game-bonuses/) on June 2, 2014. Retrieved May 30, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** ["FREE REALMS #1"](https://www.dc.com/comics/free-realms-2009/free-realms-1). *[DC](/source/DC_Comics)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231212095827/https://www.dc.com/comics/free-realms-2009/free-realms-1) from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.

## External links

- ["Main website"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140223004653/http://www.freerealms.com/). Archived from [the original](http://www.freerealms.com/) on February 23, 2014. Retrieved April 19, 2009.

v t e Daybreak Game Company Active games EverQuest EverQuest II Dungeons & Dragons Online The Lord of the Rings Online DC Universe Online PlanetSide 2 Z1 Battle Royale Defunct games EverQuest Next The Agency: Covert Ops EverQuest Online Adventures Cosmic Rift The Matrix Online Free Realms Magic: The Gathering – Tactics Clone Wars Adventures Star Wars Galaxies Jump to Lightspeed Vanguard: Saga of Heroes PlanetSide PlanetSide Arena Landmark Just Survive Other Cash Guns Chaos Field Commander Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom Untold Legends: The Warrior's Code

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Free Realms](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Realms) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Realms?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.