Warhammer goes free to subscribers while its December 18 shutdown looms.

Mythic Studio's MMO Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning has gone free-to-play as its inevitable shutdown looms on the horizon. This offer is extended to players who had accounts in good standing as of October 31, 2013. Mythic also has plans to place NPCs in the world in order to get returning players "powered up" so that they can experience all the activities that are planned as a celebration of the game's lifespan.

The closure comes on the heels of a contract expiration between Mythic and Games Workshop, the latter of which own the rights to Warhammer. Carrie Gouskos, a producer on the game left a bid farewell to the community:

"Games Workshop has cultivated a world class IP. We were lucky enough to play in their universe for nearly a decade, with five great long years live. However, like all things – our contract has come to an end... And now, hopefully, because this may be the last thing I ever write about Warhammer, I’ll be allowed to acknowledge the existence of Chaos Dwarves. Or maybe not. We look forward to seeing you on the battlefield… at least until the war is over… and once again, we thank you humbly for five amazing years."

As a former player it is hard for me to watch Warhammer Online finally on its last legs. It will always be tough to watch a world that people spent thousands of hours creating suddenly being wiped from existence. If you are interested in hopping back into Warhammer Online one final time, now is that time! As always we here at ZAM wish those involved in these closures the best of luck in their new endeavors.

Ian Nowakowski

Follow me! @ian_nowakowski