Microsoft announces first free-to-play Xbox 360 game

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Free-to-play games that generate revenue via microtransaction purchases are now common for PC and mobile phone gamers. However, the free-to-play concept has not gained much traction in the console game industry. That could be changing, however. This week, Microsoft announced that it would release the first Xbox 360 game that will use the free-to-play business model.

The company announced on its PlayXBLA.com web site that it will release Happy Wars later this year. The downloadable Xbox Live Arcade game is a multiplayer action title from developer Toylogic that features " ... exciting castle siege and magic spell battle action for madcap free-for-all battles in fantasy world settings."

The game will be free to download and play for Xbox 360 gamers who are subscribers to the Xbox Live Gold service. However, Microsoft adds that Happy Wars will let players " ... buy lavishly rendered items at the Item Shop etc. for your character to flaunt your originality on the field of valor."

While this will be the first Xbox 360 game with this kind of microtransaction model, Sony has already released a few free-to-play games for the Playstation 3, including the first-person shooter No Man's Land earlier this year. Sony and developer CCP Games will also launch the highly anticipated sci-fi shooter Dust 514 as a free-to-play game later this year.



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Source: http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-announces-first-free-to-play-xbox-360-game

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"Microsoft announces first free-to-play Xbox 360 game" :: Login/Create an Account :: 105 comments

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Third_EyePosted:

Obsidian no way is Microsoft giving something for free


You're probably gonna have to buy all of the good armor, weapons, or whatever they may have available. Trust me, this will end up costing like $20-30 if you're an avid player.

G7G7S7Posted:

it sounds fun.

GasaiYunoPosted:

This looks like the Xbox Equivalent to Playstation's "Fat Princess" game.

HudPosted:

you know any f2p game for xbox is going to be trash, they are too cheap and always want money to make a good f2p game.

jesse157532Posted:

Cytrus i suppose this is a good freebie, looks real childish though

I agree it looks childish.

Trans_AmPosted:

no way is Microsoft giving something for free

MaJoRvR3MiXPosted:

This game is only going to be good because its free

Nit3KrawlrPosted:

Farmville coming soon to an Xbox near you.

CytrusPosted:

i suppose this is a good freebie, looks real childish though

WamBamThankYouMamPosted:

Doritos crash course and 1 other game I can't remember was free too and that was like last year