Funcom (Age of Conan) announced that six years after launch, the sci-fi MMO Anarchy Online is evolving its business model to include virtual item sales. The point-based system, through which players can buy items, new content and services, will function as an adjunct to the existing system, and the new items won't affect gameplay balance.

The program will launch this summer with the introduction of jetbikes and hover boards, as well as previously released equipment, clothing and pets. The system will also let players use points to purchase new and previous expansion packs, and services like in-game name changes, or moving to another server.

Points can be purchased in packages of 10 and 20 USD/EUR-- a new jet pack comes out to about 3 dollars, while a complete bike set would be about 10. Paying AO subscribers will get a set of monthly points included in the subscription price, with more points for longer-term pricing plans. As a payment incentive, Funcom will credit the player's account with points upon receipt of subscription dues.

"Selling virtual items and smaller content upgrades is now a prevalent MMO business model in Asia. This has yet to be fully explored in the West, but we believe that the time is now right to test a limited version of such a model," said Trond Arne Aas, CEO of Funcom.

Perhaps it's no coincidence that this announcement comes at the same time as Funcom's secured $30 million in funding from an unnamed investor?