SoulWorker is technically in open beta on paper; it isn’t supposed to truly launch until later this quarter. It hit Steam at the end of February. It announced it was done wiping. It opened up the cash shop. And now, it’s got a subscription too – an optional one, mind you.
There are actually two different subscription plans, both 30-days, and they are stackable; the silver sub grants keycards, respawners, battle books, extra auction slots, and an additional 80 daily energy. The gold sub doubles most of those bonuses, adds a few more, and adds an additional 120 max energy. It’s also possible to buy subs and sell them in-game.
But it’s the energy perks that have beta testers particularly concerned about pay-to-win, as energy limits in-game activities in a way few MMORPGs can get away with. In SoulWorker, players start with 200 daily energy, so with the double sub, they can double that number. Gameforge says it’s still considering how to proceed.
“We are reviewing comments and concerns regarding the Energy system,” says the company. “We are still collecting data and our team will continue to look into it. As counter measures, we will: Keep for now the free items in the shop (the Dynamite Power Vitamin Z and the Mat community), bring more frequently EP Party events, [and] the VIP Membership is one additional way to get more Energy in game since it’s tradeable (you can buy it from the auction house).”
https://twitter.com/SoulWorkerGF/status/973580909579571200
