We all knew Mythic Entertainment was getting desperate for new and returning players in Warhammer Online. All the signs were there; massive server merges, "re-enlistment" campaigns, even drastic retail price drops for the game client...but who could have ever imagined the MMO would partially turn free-to-play? That's right, as announced in the latest edition of the WAR newsletter (a footnote in the Patch 1.3.2 article intro), Mythic will be extending its 10-day free trial to unlimited playtime as long as you're still in Tier 1 content, below Rank 11:

"We’ll soon be lifting the 10-day restriction on our Free Trial! You'll be able to enjoy the trial experience and New User Journey for as long as you like!"

This is a pretty drastic move to encourage new player retention, but that doesn't mean it's a bad thing. The new trial system will undoubtedly allow players to get a better sense of what WAR offers, at their own leisure, instead of trying to get the most informed opinion possible within a mere week and a half. Full details have yet to be announced, but it's safe to assume that some of the restrictions listed in the "Trial Accounts" section of the official FAQ may carry over, such the inability to create auctions or send mail.