Embers Adrift Drops Mandatory Subscriptions But Adds Restrictions On Unsubbed Accounts

The day that Embers Adrift players have been waiting for has arrived as Stormhaven Studios finally scraps mandatory monthly subscriptions. As of yesterday, the open-world PvE MMORPG will only require a one-time purchase to play with a VIP subscription option to enjoy various perks.

The shift aims to foster a stronger community and allows lapsed subscribers to explore the game. However, there are some drawbacks to opting out of the monthly sub, the biggest of which is that you’ll only be limited to one active character per account. Those who have multiple characters will need to subscribe for at least a month to swap out their active character for another one.

Subscribers will also enjoy expanded bank storage, access to a portable crafting station, a healing enhancement bonus, unrestricted access to emotes, a subscribers-only chat channel and chat tags, and more.

In addition to removing mandatory subscriptions, the Stormhaven has also opened up a new high-level zone called Highlands Hills.

“Highland Hills is a new outdoor region that provides solo, duo, and group content for levels 20+, and 40+. This includes new uncommon and rare spawns, their loot, four new pieces of music, a new map, and a new monolith to discover,” announced the devs. “You can travel to it through the Meadowlands or the Redshore Forest. But, be warned, it is not a friendly place…”

More information on the new monetization model and the newly-added zone can be found in the full patch notes on the Embers Adrift official forums. For those of you who are wondering whether the game will go free-to-play, that’s unfortunately not going to happen. The team also has no plans to add an in-game cash shop… yet, but they do have a merch shop if you’re looking to buy actual physical items.

Enjoy our newest patch: The Blighted Highlands
If you possess a copy of the game, you only need to download and join our community! Subscriptions are now optional!🎉

- New zone: Highlands Hills for lvl 20+ & lvl 40+
- Quality of Life features, UI changes etc.
- Play 1 character… pic.twitter.com/P2l1QnKh6k

— EmbersAdrift (@EmbersAdrift) June 27, 2023