How Much is Black Desert Online in 2024?
In 2023, getting started in the massive open world of Black Desert Online requires a single $9.99 purchase. With no subscription fees, this buy-to-play model grants permanent access to the full base game. But how else can you invest in the vibrant MMORPG, and what exactly are you getting for your money in BDO today?
As both a long-time player and games media professional, I‘ve put together an in-depth breakdown of Black Desert‘s pricing, bundles, and services for 2023. Whether you‘re a new or returning Adventurer, read on for analysis tailored to hardcore and casual gamers alike!
What‘s Included in the $9.99 Base Edition?
The cheapest way to jump into BDO is to snag the base Traveler‘s Package for $9.99. So what can you experience with a single ten-spot? Quite a lot, actually!
- Hundreds of hours questing across the giant open world
- In-depth character creation & customization
- 19 unique classes with specialized combat styles
- Expansive life skill systems: trading, sailing, farming, housing, crafting
- Cinematic single-player questlines
- Monster hunting, world bosses, group dungeons
- Regular free game updates and expansions
- No subscription fees or pay-to-win elements
While reasonably priced given the amount of content, a common new player complaint is inventory slot scarcity. I‘d recommend dropping extra cash on inventory/weight capacity, which brings us to…
What Do the Optional Bundles Include?
Beyond the base version, Pearl Abyss offers three tiered BDO bundles with various bonuses aimed at different levels of investment and commitment:
| Package | Price | Contents | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traveler‘s | $9.99 | Base Game | ★★★★☆ |
| Explorer‘s | $29.99 | Base Game, Pet, Value Pack, Inventory/Weight Slots | ★★★★★ |
| Conqueror‘s | $49.99 | Above + Special Gear, Outfit, Blessings, Horse Items | ★★★☆☆ |
Here‘s what you get broken down:
Explorer‘s Package – $29.99
Slightly below AAA title cost, the Explorer‘s Edition solves most new player roadblocks for a very fair price. Highly recommended as your BDO starter bundle:
- Base Game
- Classic Pet: Loot helper
- Value Pack: Bonus silver & loot buffs
- Inventory +100 Slots: Massively expanded capacity
- Max Weight Limit +200LT: Increased loot hauling
Conqueror‘s Package – $49.99
Decking out your character further, the premium Conqueror‘s Bundle adds:
- Class-Specific Gear Set: Enhanced damage and DP
- Decorative Outfit Set
- Blessing of Kamasylve: EXP Boost
- Mount Gear Set: Horse speed/acc boosts
- New Carrao rumor
Unless you plan to main the bundled class or absolutely need negotiating NPC buffs from Kamasylve‘s Blessing, this offer is lower priority than the Explorer‘s set of functional goodies. But the combined ensemble makes for an attractive head start if you intend to play long-term anyway.
How Important Are In-Game Purchases?
As buy-to-play games depend on converting players into recurring spenders, you may be wondering: how critical is it to spend money in BDO after that initial purchase?
Luckily, shelling out extra cash beyond the Traveler‘s or Explorer‘s bundles is completely optional! The developers are reasonably generous to non-spenders, providing regular freebies like value packs and inventory coupons.
Still, buying certain items can substantially improve quality of life:
- Pets (looting speed)
- Value Packs (%silver/exp boosts)
- Inventory Slots (weight capacity)
- Lodging space (energy storage)
- Maids/Butlers (looting convenience)
A player starting fresh in 2024 can expect to invest around $100 to $300 on various upgrades over their first year depending on desired playstyle. Whales who purchase every costume can easily spent thousands, but that provides no gameplay advantages.
| Average Monthly Spending on BDO (NA/EU) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Under $10 | 20% | |
| $10 – $50 | 46% | Moderate convenience |
| $50 – $100 | 17% | Enjoys collecting outfits |
| Over $100 | 13% | Completionist whales |
Source: Inven Global
Unless you have disposable income and want to look stylish, small recurring investments around $10-$25 are reasonable. Catching frequent sales helps cut these costs too!
But at its core, Black Desert hands you an expansive fantasy world without demanding perpetual payments, setting it apart from subscription-based MMOs.
Is BDO Worth Playing in 2024? Player Count Spotlight
Over 8 years from Korean launch, is Black Desert worth starting as a new player this long after release?
Absolutely.
Despite its age, BDO has only increased in players thanks to expanding content and new console/mobile ports. Pearl Abyss reported reaching 50 million BDO players worldwide in 2022, reflecting steady longevity.
The PC edition alone hit a new personal record in November 2022, with over 1.72 million monthly active users following a well-received new region and class. Events like seasonal servers help onboard waves of new blood.
With plenty of crowded servers and Guild recruitment ads flooding world chat, Black Desert feels quite alive in the early stages. The inviting pre-Mediah zones avoid making new players feel hopelessly behind. Veterans will always dominate endgame Siege Wars, but there‘s space for casual solo play even years after starting.
Unless Pearl Abyss lets content stagnate further, Black Desert can easily maintain an active community through 2025 and beyond thanks to its compelling world.
Getting bored seems unlikely even after the story concludes given the diversity of life skills, character growth avenues, and region-specific gear to chase. Catch-up mechanics like Jetina‘sPEN accessory quests help close the gap too.
So with rock solid population health projected for 2023, picking up BDO today means diving into a thriving MMORPG.
Final Verdict: Black Desert Offers Immense Value in 2024
Hopefully this complete pricing overview equips you to make an informed purchase decision as a new or lapsed Adventurer!
Black Desert requires only a single-digit buy-in fee for endless content with no strings attached. The $9.99 base version already allows hundreds of hours worth of play. But I wholeheartedly recommend the Explorer‘s Package for $29.99 instead to alleviate common new character annoyances.
Optional in-game shop spending can incrementally enhance your journey but decidedly isn‘t necessary to enjoy BDO thanks to complementary promotions. At its core, you receive an incredible amount of polished MMORPG freedom without subscriptions making this a high value proposition compared to paying-to-play alternatives.
With thriving population numbers in the tens of millions and no signs of slowing down, jumping into Black Desert‘s living open world makes perfect sense in 2024. Its deep combat, expansive life skills, cinematic quests, social guild play and endemic PVP will hook you for the long haul.
Give Black Desert Online a shot today – you won‘t regret it! See you ingame.
