Buy-to-play MMO Black Desert Online launches in March

Black Desert Online

Daum Games has announced that the fantasy MMO Black Desert Online will launch on March 3. If you can't wait until then, the studio also revealed that applications for a second closed beta test, which will run from February 18-22, are now being accepted.

Black Desert Online is a “buy-to-play” game with no subsequent subscription fees required, although vanity and convenience items will be available for purchase through the in-game store after launch. It offers both PvP and story-driven PvE combat, and promises “the deepest character customization of any game currently on the market.” In fact, the standalone Character Creator is available as a free download, and characters created with it can be imported into the second beta and the full game when it goes live.

Black Desert Online is currently available for pre-purchase in $30, $50, and $100 packages, with the latter two guaranteeing access to the second closed beta. The second half of Daum's “Beauty and the Beast” character creation contest—that would be the “Beast” part—is also underway, with closed beta access, pearls (the in-game currency) and a few physical goodies up for grabs. Find out more at blackdesertonline.com.

Andy Chalk

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.