Turbine plans free Dungeons & Dragons

(The above image from the new game was provided by Turbine.)

Turbine Inc., a Westwood company that creates and operates massive, persistent online worlds that foster social gaming communities, said it plans for offer a free version of its online Dungeons & Dragons game.

Turbine said it will soon unveil Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited, a free digital upgrade that makes DDO Unlimited a free-to-play massively multiplayer online game.

Turbine said in a press release that DDO Unlimited, which is scheduled to launch this summer, will introduce a new business model that is designed to give players a choice in how they pay and play online games. Players can buy additional content to "enhance their experience," Turbine said.

Typically, massively multiplayer online games, or MMO's are only available to consumers on a subscription basis.

Other games that Turbine has created include The Lord of the Rings Online and Asheron's Call.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)