Fantasy MMO Aion will go free-to-play.

The game will be free to download and play from February next year. Developer NCSoft has partnered with Gameforge, who will administer Aion.

Premium purchases such as the ability to open stores and collect an unlimited amount of aether and essences will support the game.

“In the last few months the lands in Atreia have become more and more deserted,” writes Gameforge.

“We want to reinvigorate the world of Aion and attract new adventurers to the towns to take to the skies as Daevas.”

The free-to-play model has been adopted by many struggling MMOs in recent years and in some instances has turned their fortunes around, most notably with DC Universe Online and Lord of the Rings Online.