GamesRadar - Free Realms

Sony's MMO coming to PS3 mid-2010; will feature eye support (News)

16 Sep 2009

The free-to-play Free Realms is a very popular light take from Sony Online Entertainment on the MMO genre. It now appears the game will make its way to the PlayStation 3 sometime in the middle of 2010, according to SOE president John Smedley.

Put Yourself In The Free Realms Card Game (News)

20 Aug 2009

Sony Online Entertainment has teamed up with trading card company Topps to let players create their own official personalized cards for the Free Realms collectible card game.

The Duelist on Demand Program allows players to turn their Free Realms character into a personalized card for use in the physical version of the tie-in trading card game. The Free Realms Trading Card Game Duelist On Demand pack retails for $12, and contains 10 cards complete with codes that allow them to be added to the online version of the game as well. Using Topps' print-on-demand technology, players will be able to create and share themselves with friends in a distinctively family-friendly way.

Free Realms update: Level your kart skills, visit new racetracks, customize your kart in your garage (News)

30 Jul 2009

Free Realms' latest update is turning on kart racing and demolition derby racing progression, adding new racetracks, and access to garages.

Free Realms update adds guilds (News)

23 Jun 2009

Examiner says: "Free Realms updated early this morning and the update notes bring good news to the community. Guilds are now in the game!"

E3 09: Free Realms - Concert (Video)

15 Jun 2009

It's not yet clear what exactly you'll do in this whimsical, free-to-play fantasy game, but publisher Sony Online is confident that it'll appeal to more than just hardcore gamers.

Free Realms Celebrates 2 Million Players (News)

6 Jun 2009

Free Realms, the free to play Sony Online MMORPG has reached its 2nd milestone, 2 Million players worldwide on PC alone.

Nintendo, Activision, Red Octane, Bethesda, Blizzard & Microsoft honoured by the Guinness World Records 2010 Gamers Edition (News)

6 Jun 2009

On the heels of February's launch of the annual Guinness World Records 2009 Gamer's Edition, representatives were on hand at the E3 Expo this week to honour gaming publishers with brand new records.

Guinness World Record recipients included Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of the Mario franchise and more recently Wii Sports, who received the record for the Best Selling Video Game with sales of 45.7 million to date.

Free Realms surpasses two million, one third female (News)

27 May 2009

Free Realms has now romped to two million players, where 75 per cent are under 17-years-old.

After only just a week after an announcement that the free-to-play game Free Realms had reached one million unique users, Sony Online Entertainment has announced that the game now homes two million players.

Free Realms - Super ego (Video)

21 May 2009

It's not yet clear what exactly you'll do in this whimsical, free-to-play fantasy game, but publisher Sony Online is confident that it'll appeal to more than just hardcore gamers.

Sony's Free Realms Obliterates Historic Gaming Benchmark (News)

17 May 2009

SarcasticGamer: Two weekends ago, I wrote a silly little ditty about the silly little MMORPG that Sony Entertainment released called Free Realms. It was the online gaming addiction equivalent of a kiddie World of Warcraft, only Free Realms would subsist primarily on microtransactions for in-game items, as opposed to a monthly fee.

Free Realms has registered a million accounts in eighteen days.

Pick your jaws up off the floor and follow me into the jump.

Sony Announces Free Realms Card Game Details (News)

4 May 2009

Sony announces details regarding the Free Realms trading card game including a vague release date

Trailer Trash #3 (Feature)

30 Apr 2009

When did professional darts players attain to the status of WWE stars, playing to stadiums full of screaming fans and strutting into the place with an effing intro? Bluster aside, there is no way that holding a Wii remote like a dart is “realistic.” ...

Free Realms - Launch trailer (Video)

29 Apr 2009

It's not yet clear what exactly you'll do in this whimsical, free-to-play fantasy game, but publisher Sony Online is confident that it'll appeal to more than just hardcore gamers.

24/04/09 Top Gaming News Summary (News)

23 Apr 2009

From Xbox to PS3 to DLC and even a Free Realms Beta Key, I cover the top news across all current-gen gaming platforms, into a short easy-to-digest summary.

Missed out on the past few days of gaming news? Want to hear the top stories? Check it out after the jump

Massively's Free Realms Beta Key Giveaway (News)

18 Apr 2009

You may have noticed Massively ramping up their Free Realms coverage a bit this week in preparation for something special. Well, that time has arrived and they are happy to announce an exclusive beta key giveaway for Sony Online Entertainment's Free Realms! They have 100 keys to give away to the Massively readers, and everyone has a fair chance.

SOE Assures Parents It's Okay To Play Free Realms (News)

17 Apr 2009

In advance of the release of their family-friendly online multiplayer game Free Realms, Sony Online Entertainment has release a booklet explaining the benefits that games like Free Realms offer children.

Fan Faire Attendees Get Free Realms Beta Access (News)

17 Apr 2009

Did you head to Las Vegas last August for SOE's annual Fan Faire event? You did? Well this is your lucky day! SOE CM Ashlanne has announced via the offical forums that all attendees of last year's event have access to the Free Realms beta as of, well, now!

Free Realms Takes On NDS (News)

15 Apr 2009

TheSixthAxis takes a look at SOE's forthcoming PS3 & PC MMO. As the game is aimed squarely at younger gamers new trailers show similarities to the kind of games that has made the Nintendo DS so popular.

SOE's Free Realms Closed Beta Now Open (News)

15 Apr 2009

Joystiq writes:

"As per Sony Online Entertainment's word, the free-to-play MMO unironically named Free Realms has opened the doors of its closed beta to the world. Aside from the kart racing and pet raising, we imagine users will start flooding into the online world and immediately partake in our time-honored tradition of Quincying. (Go, Joystiq Hive Mind!)

Like most betas, this one's asking its users to keep quiet on the inner workings of the game, though, ironically, SOE is asking participants to blabber on to their hearts content on the game website's public forums. For those of you looking for hot scoops on Free Realms, now you know where to go. And did we mention we have a tips box that guarantees anonymity?"

Free Realms (Screenshots)

3 Apr 2009

Free Realms To Have Optional Subscription Fee (News)

1 Apr 2009

Sony Online Entertainment have confirmed that Free Realms will have an optional online subscription fee.

Free Realms free on PC and PS3 (News)

12 Feb 2009

Gamezine: 'Like the name implies, Free Realms will be free on PCs and the PlayStation 3. Read on for more details on the game and its pricing strategy.

Free Realms, Sony Online's fantasy MMO for 10-14 year olds, will launch with a massive world featuring a number of diverse areas.

On PC, your experience begins almost immediately: after loading up the website, all you'll need to do is provide your email and a username to enter the world.

Once you're all set up you'll be provided with a robust character creation model, while a small 25mb cache is installed onto your computer.'

Free Realms release date revealed (News)

12 Feb 2009

Gamezine: 'It's not too long until the free-to-play fantasy MMO is released.

SOE's free-to-play (as confirmed in our previous story) fantasy MMO for 10-14 year olds, Free Realms, will see its commercial PC release in early April. And when we say early April, we're confident that April 1st is the date the client will become available.'

MMO FreeRealms slightly delayed on PS3 (News)

20 Jan 2009

There currently are not too many MMOs on the PS3, but that's going to change rather soon. Well, not that soon, at least in the case of FreeRealms. The casual MMO from Sony Online Entertainment is slated for both PC and PS3 with the PC release out by Q2 2009; however, there still isn't any word on when the PS3 version would be out.

SOE confirmed to IGN that while there isn't any date yet scheduled it's very likely that the PS3 version won't meet the current timeframe set for the PC version -- which was recently rated by the ESRB without mention of the PS3. Perhaps the wait won't be long, but there's no denying that there will be one.

Free Realms to Have Staggered Release (News)

18 Jan 2009

On a recent ratings list from the ESRB, Free Realms -- the upcoming and notably light-hearted MMO -- was given a rating for the PC version but the list mentioned nothing of the PS3 version. We contacted a representative at SOE to get clarification on the matter, and we learned that Free Realms PC will be releasing first, sometime in Q2. Although the PS3 version is still planned, there is no official release date at the moment.

Free to play title Free Realms definitely coming to PS3 (News)

8 Jan 2009

Speaking at CES 2009, Kaz Hirai confirmed that Sony Online Entertainment's new free to play title called Free Realms will be heading to the PS3. Best sign-ups are now open on the PC.

Free Realms details and screenshots (News)

23 Aug 2008

Join thousands of other players and make your home in Free Realms! Do what you want to do, when you want to do it, in a lush, living, 3D world filled with lush landscapes and fun wildlife.

Free Realms gameplay is as varied as the people who play. Looking for adventure? Unlock jobs like Ninja, Explorer and
Wizard to battle enemies and disarm traps as you search for lost treasure, or duel other players. Battling not for you? Take time to teach your pet a new trick, decorate your house, or grow vegetables and flowers. When you're ready for a different kind of challenge, play a wide variety of completely integrated mini-games to craft useable items or get your high score onto the leaderboards.

There's always something new to see and do in the world of Free Realms, with weekly and monthly content updates, regular and special events, and even player-created parties and celebrations.

No need to go to the store, spend money on the box, or take hours installing and patching the game. Get in the game quickly and easily from your web browser, create your character, and be playing in a full 3D game world client within minutes!

SOE to Release MMOs in Europe on the PS3 (News)

22 Aug 2008

GamingShogun writes, "Under the new agreement, SCEE will publish and distribute three MMOs developed by SOE for PS3 throughout the PAL territories. In addition, SCEE will also publish the PC versions of DC Universe and The Agency on behalf of SOE in the PAL territories. The new arrangement allows SCEE to benefit from SOE's experience in a different area of video gaming publishing, one which opens up a whole host of possibilities for PS3..."

GC 2008: Sony's PS3 MMOs (News)

22 Aug 2008

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) announced today that SCEE has joined forces with Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) – developer of groundbreaking online Massive Multiplayer Online (MMOs) games including the wildly popular EverQuest® -- in an arrangement that will bring a whole new dimension to PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3) gaming.

Under the new agreement, SCEE will publish and distribute three MMOs developed by SOE for PS3 throughout the PAL territories. In addition, SCEE will also publish the PC versions of DC Universe and The Agency on behalf of SOE in the PAL territories. The new arrangement allows SCEE to benefit from SOE's experience in a different area of video gaming publishing, one which opens up a whole host of possibilities for PS3.

Casual MMO FreeRealms Coming to PlayStation 3, Mixes Social Networking and MMO Gameplay (News)

20 Aug 2008

Shascknews writes: "Along with DC Universe Online and The Agency, Sony Online Entertainment has revealed plans for its third PlayStation 3 MMO, FreeRealms.

Previously announced and also in development for the PC, FreeRealms is described as an "all new social networking service and massively multiplayer game in one."

According to SOE, the title provides a mix of traditional MMO gameplay, such as exploration and spell casting, along with more casual activities like house decoration and gardening."

ION 08: John Smedley keynote shows off Free Realms and The Agency (News)

15 May 2008

Massively writes: "When you think of Sony Online Entertainment, what comes to mind? I'm sure that Everquest, Everquest 2, Star Wars Galaxies and Planetside are some of the titles which most people think about. From what I've recently seen in John Smedley's keynote at ION 08 that's all going to be changing in the near future. While he did tease the audience with a hint that, "There's more Everquest in our future." Smedley left the topic of EQ at that. I've certainly had my thoughts on what the next Everquest experience should or could be like, but it's just my own personal wish.

So why are we going to be looking at SOE in a different light in the near future? Two games are the reason why: Free Realms and The Agency."

SOE Dates 2008 Fan Faire (News)

19 Apr 2008

Sony Online Entertainment has given a date to their annual parade of pale-skinned shut-ins, blinking as they emerge into the bright sunlight, the SOE Fan Faire. This year's convention will be held August 14th through the 17th at the Las Vegas Hilton.

This year's 4-day event will feature demos of The Agency and Free Realms, a talk from SOE President John Smedley, chances to meet and chat with developers, and plenty of geeky hobnobbing and drunk singalongs.

Sony to bring demos of upcoming MMOs to CES 2008 (News)

22 Dec 2007

Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) is going to the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January in Las Vegas, Nevada. SOE is bringing along the demos for these upcoming MMOs: The Agency, Free Realms and Pirates of the Burning Sea. The demos are only available for the press. In addition, SOE will also bring some old favorites: Legends of Norrath, EverQuest, and EverQuest 2.

[ Posted on QJ.net by Isaac C. on Dec 22, 2007 ]

FreeRealms announced (News)

11 Jun 2007

Trendsetting online game publisher Sony Online has lifted the veil of secrecy covering FreeRealms, a whimsical new Massively Multiplayer Online game targeted toward young children, soccer moms, casual players... you know: everyone who doesn't really play games. It may sound like suicide, but that's also exactly the market the Wii has targeted as well, and it seems to be doing okay so far. So, what exactly is FreeRealms? It's a little difficult to tell at this point, because the trailer ...

SOE's Smedley: Free Realms Aiming 'A Lot Bigger' Than WoW (News)

11 Jun 2007

At a recent Sony Online Entertainment event, Gamasutra had the opportunity to speak with company president John Smedley about the evolving future of SOE, and the company's plans for change to target much wider markets.