RIFT goes free to play - for a bit

As part of the new 1.7 patch, RIFT is now offering a Lite version that is free - for the first 20 levels!

Free to play is kind of the new black among MMO makers. Offering the bulk of a game for nix, with the option to buy up gear, gold and new content, is proving a very viable business model. Even World of Warcraft is now free for first 20 levels, and now relative newcomer RIFT, from Trion Worlds, is offering much the same thing.

RIFT Lite is part of the new 1.7: Carnival of the Ascended patch, which launches today. This lets anyone play up to level 20, without any time restrictions. It's effectively a great way to demo the game, and offers a mess of content. 

But that's not all the 1.7 patch brings...

• PvP Improvements - Smoother advancement and better rewards
• Ascended Weddings - Share eternity with your soulmate, Telara-style
• River of Souls Chronicle - Undead adventure for two
• New Master Mode Dungeon – Caduceus Rise
• Expert Dungeon Overhaul - More options, better loot!
• Better Endgame Equipment - Improved loot for your endgame Ascended

And, apparently, there's bigger stuff to come. Any Atomicans still playing RIFT? Any of you not playing tempted back?