Black Desert Online is a free-to-play Korean MMO, but now that it's coming to North America and Europe, it's going to undergo some significant changes.
For starters, the game won't be free-to-play like it is in the Asian market. According to IGN, players will instead purchase the game once and be able to enjoy all the content it offers, no subscription fee required. To support ongoing game updates and maintenance, a microtransaction store consisting of various vanity and convenience items in exchange for real-world money will be available.
The game will also see significant balance and character progress changes before it comes West. The developers are also working on the monumental task of translating more than 2.5 million words into English for the release, so don't expect the game to release any time soon.
However, while the game will have undergone numerous changes before its western release, one thing that will stay the same is the game's stunning visuals. The level of detail, especially in the game's character creator, puts western MMOs to shame. Take a look at the video below to get an idea of what's in store. The game is gorgeous, and the action-oriented combat seems to be at a much faster pace than many western style MMOs.
A western beta for the game was originally planned for 2016, though it's unclear if that is still the case. No exact word on when Black Desert Online will be fully available in the West, but we can only hope it's coming before the end of next year.
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