Torchlight Interview, MMO Version Dated

The guys at WarCry recently chatted up Runic Games’ Wonder Russell, Erich Schaefer and Jason Beck about Torchlight and their plans for the forthcoming MMO version of the game. Interestingly enough, an approximate release date was given:

Torchlight costs $20. Is this price all inclusive or are there plans to include “microtransaction” items (i.e. cash shop)?

Torchlight, the Single Player version which is available now, is a $19.99 digital download, and coming to retail in January 5 2010 for the same price.

Torchlight the MMO, however, is in pre-production now. Due out in approximately two years, our current plans are for it to be a separate game that is free to download and free to play, supported by microtransactions. We’re partnered with Perfect World to publish the MMO, and confident that they have the best grasp on how to effectively bring a game like this to market.

It’s due out right around the same time Diablo III will hit, in other words.