Trion Worlds Details Trove Cash Shop Revamp

Remember last week when we debuted a new video show where we bring in the "Free-to-Play Police" and questions decisions or monetization strategies or changes? Our first episode spawned from the article I wrote about Rift's changes to a few key in game items. Now it seems like Trion really wants to be on episode 2, as well!

Trove, the free-to-play voxel based MMORPG from Trion Worlds, is going to undergo a few changes to their cash shop and, again just like Rift's changes, new players are the ones that bear the brunt of the changes.

Cubits, the in-game currency in Trove, will now be a bit harder to come by for new players and the items in the shops have had their cubit prices increased. Some of the cheaper mounts have already been removed from the shop. New classes in the game will no longer be available to buy using cubits. Want a new class? Shell out some cash or get your hands on a class coin...something that will no doubt become more expensive in game due to these changes. Classes will also have a slower release schedule now to ensure they are fully fleshed out. Finally, Patron status (Trove's subscription service) will receive additional perks including making the Patron status required "to access some systems or features." These features have yet to be announced but look for the above changes to start rolling out to the game's PTR this week and continue to evolve over the next few weeks.

In light of these changes and the previously mentioned Rift changes, does anyone else think Trion Worlds may be in a bit of a bad spot company wide? Check out the full announcement here.