The Secret World looks healthier after dropping subscriptions

Funcom said today that dropping the subscription model for its troubled MMO The Secret World has proved a good move, as game activity has increased by 400 percent. The game originally required a monthly membership fee on top of the initial purchase price. However, following a disappointing launch last year, the subscription fee was dropped in a bid to pull players in. Now Funcom says that switching to a "buy-to-play" business model, as the company puts it, has seen the title sell an extra 70,000 copies in the last four weeks -- nearly a 30 percent increase in total sales. In comparison, the title saw 200,000 purchases in its first two months. And Funcom's restructing efforts continue onwards too. The company said it was shifting away from giant, expensive MMO projects last summer, and now it has set in motion yet another restructuring process. This latest move involves consolidating its offices and team around the world, as well as streamlining internal processes. Although the specific details have not yet been revealed, closures and layoffs are planned. Funcom now plans to focus on smaller upcoming MMO titles like LEGO Minifigures, while keeping its existing strong MMOs like Age of Conan and Anarchy Online afloat.