The west is very different than the east, in terms of our paid MMOs. A lot of people are already aware of this, but many paid MMOs in the east work on a pay-as-you-go plan, where players purchase a set number of hours, much like the cell phone plans many of you will be aware with. Over in the West, we are used to simply paying a set monthly fee, be it anywhere up to the industry standard of $15 a month. For hardcore players, this is a godsend, as they can get the most for their money. For casual players, the monthly fee may not seem worth it, down to the player who can only get online every weekend or so.
All Points Bulletin looks to take the Eastern approach to subscription, but with an option that doesn’t hurt hardcore players. Recently announced, All Points Bulletin will offer several options for players: For the casual, players can buy hours in packs of 20 hours for $6.99 (USD), or choose from a 30 day ($9.99), 90 day, or 180 day “unlimited package” with no time limit, with discounts for the two bigger packs.
But wait! There’s more! Buying APB includes 100 RTW (currency) that you can spend towards game time and other perks. In addition, APB will include a marketplace where players can trade their customizations. RWT can be turned into in-game currency or game time.
It’s good to see a game literally including the best of all worlds, in terms of subscription. Want that flat fee? You’ve got it. Don’t play much and can make that 20 hours last a long time? You’ve got it.
All Points Bulletin launches at the end of June and is currently in beta. Preorder for extra perks and more time.
MMO Fallout 
i would like to know how the 1month sub works.
ive seen it but found no clarification, when you pay for 1 month, is it a rip-off like wow where exactly 30days later it expires or you actually get your money’s worth and get 24hours x30?
Hello Muffin,
The one month sub is for unlimited time, and yes it does run out exactly thirty days after you purchase it. You can think of it as a 30 pack of 24 hour blocks, but that the time is ticking away whether you are playing or not.
I should also note that your time does not (this is confirmed) count down while in the social area. So if you do opt for the 20 hour package, you do not have to worry about wasting any time in the auction house or chatting up friends. All of that is free.
You receive 50 free hours when you purchase the game, that does not expire, so your best bet is to gauge how far it takes you to use up those fifty hours. Let’s say you only used up 15 hours per month, you will be playing free for over three months, and then by paying the 20 hour packs, you will spend approximately $62 USD, saving you almost half of what you’d be paying unlimited for the year ($120 USD).
All Points Bulletin is a rare treat in the paid MMO genre. If you don’t like the game at launch, you don’t have to resubscribe somewhere down the line to see how it has improved, you have whatever is left of your fifty hours to play again in a few months. Don’t like it then? You still have whatever is left of those fifty hours. Even if you don’t believe APB is an MMO and refuse to pay for subscription, fifty hours is a lot more gameplay than many games will give you.
And if you plan on getting very good at the customization, you can always take the EVE Online route and sell your customizations for RTW (Real Time Worlds cash) and buy game time, no real world cash spent. I have no idea how viable this will be however.