Hi-Rez Studios CEO Erez Goren announced via Twitter that the MMOFPS will no longer charge players a monthly subscription after purchasing the game

According to a Twitter post from Hi-Rez Studios CEO Erez Goren earlier this evening, the indie developer will no longer charge a monthly subscription fee to play Global Agenda [via Massively]. "Global Agenda going Subscriptions Free," Goren wrote in the Twitter post. Previously, Hi-Rez Studios charged players a monthly subscription fee to access the MMOFPS's full, unrestricted gameplay (in addition to the initial game purchase). Despite several promotions to entice new players throughout the last couple months (free trials, half-price sales), we can only speculate that these and other efforts weren't enough to sustain Global Agenda's subscription-based revenue model.

In a new FAQ about the subscription drop on the official website, Hi-Rez Studios explains: "After receiving feedback from many existing and potential players, we believe that we will have the most thriving community by offering a non-subscription purchase model." The FAQ also states that all gameplay modes of Global Agenda will now be completely free-to-play after customers purchase the game. Players will not be charged for core gameplay updates and patches; expansion packs will pave the way for Global Agenda's new revenue model, in addition to the initial "box" price.  The company also posted a press release about the change in the official forums, apparently slated for distribution tomorrow (the release is dated June 25). Global Agenda is on sale for 33 percent off until July 4 on Steam, according to post. Check out the full details in the official press release after the jump.

Single-Game Purchase Grants Access To All Current Content And Features Within Award-winning Shooter MMO

ATLANTA – June 25, 2010 – Hi-Rez Studios announced today that Global Agenda is now 100% subscription free.

Purchasers of Global Agenda can enjoy the game’s full current content, including all current Player-vs-Player combat, Player-vs-Environment solo and co-op content, and Agency-vs- Agency seasons, without a monthly subscription payment now or in the future.

Future content updates will be delivered via optional paid expansions. The first major expansion, Sandstorm, will be included for free to the entire Global Agenda community.

To celebrate this change, the game is being offered for 33% off on Steam from now through July 5, as part of Steam’s Summer Sale. To purchase, visit the Global Agenda Steam Page.

"Hi-Rez Studios is committed to delivering the best value in PC gaming", said Todd Harris, Global Agenda Executive Producer. "In addition to including all of the game’s initial launch content for free inside the single-purchase price, we are bundling nearly 6 months worth of post-release content and features and including that within the single-purchase game. One purchase of Global Agenda let’s you experience all of this content forever with no subscription."

Global Agenda allows players to create and customize multiple agent characters, complementing FPS skills with accessible RPG-style progression. Players can co-op with friends online, compete in fast-paced multiplayer matches, and conquer persistent territory with player-formed groups called agencies. The large summer expansion, titled Sandstorm, adds weapon variation and loot, new epic weapons across every class and a brand new Open Zone area complete with quests and new missions. The first phase of Sandstorm was released in early June 2010, with the remaining phase to be released later this summer.

• Try For Free – Players can download Global Agenda and play until level 15 with no payment or credit card required.

• Buy Once - A single purchase enables you to play forever. Progress thru 50 character levels, access hundreds of weapons, and experience all current content and gametypes on our worldwide, hosted servers with no subscription required.

• Play What Suits You - Global Agenda offers a wide range of content including solo and co-op PvE, Mercenary PvP, Agency-vs-Agency, Arena PvP and more.

For more information, a FAQ has been prepared to answer the commonly asked questions regarding this change.

[Source]