Free-to-Play
Ongoing coverage on Free-to-Play.
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Choose My Adventure: Preparing for the first steps into Aion 2 – with your help
This article introduces a new 'Choose My Adventure' format for covering Aion 2, where readers will guide the author's in-game decisions. The author shares initial impressions from a scale test, noting familiar elements from the original Aion and a generally positive presentation, though questioning the necessity of mouselook. The focus will be on exploring player-chosen content as a free-to-play experience.
Star Wars: Galactic Racers Is Free to Play for Amazon Prime Members
Star Wars: Galactic Racers is now available for free to Amazon Prime members through the Amazon Luna cloud gaming service. This promotion offers players access to the game without an additional purchase.
PSA: ARC Raiders will be temporarily free-to-play when its Frozen Trail update launches October 8
ARC Raiders will be temporarily free-to-play from October 8th to October 12th on Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms to promote its upcoming Frozen Trail update. This limited-time offer allows players to experience the PvPvE extraction shooter and access its features, including new content for those who team up with existing players.
Free-to-play playtime is broadly flat as gacha RPGs drive PC growth, says Newzoo
A Newzoo report indicates that free-to-play (F2P) playtime remains stable, despite a slight decrease in its market share, driven by growth in gacha RPGs on PC. While overall F2P playtime is flat, PC F2P playtime has grown, with gacha games showing significant increases in engagement. RPG remains the only F2P genre gaining share on both PC and console.
Aion 2 has officially made its full free-to-play global release for everyone today
Aion 2 has officially launched globally as a free-to-play MMORPG on PC via Steam and NCsoft's Purple platform. The game features extensive aerial combat, fast-paced tab-targeting, and a variety of content including dungeons, raids, and PvP modes. NCsoft is celebrating the release with a launch server list, a login event, and a video illustrating the game's development journey.
"It's less risky to be the masters of our own fate" – The AAA developers going indie
Former AAA developers from studios like Player First Games and Warner Bros are transitioning to the indie scene due to widespread industry layoffs and the challenges of free-to-play user acquisition. Despite pay cuts and market risks, many find the creative freedom and control over their projects more rewarding, forming new studios like Airlock Games and Big Dumb Games to pursue their passions.
Riding high into its free-to-play launch, new MMORPG Aion 2 extends registration rewards as thanks for the support
NC's new MMORPG, Aion 2, is extending its pre-registration rewards to all players following a strong early access period and high Steam player counts. The game is launching free-to-play on October 5th, and the developer is also addressing an issue with Founder's Pack cosmetics being limited to a single character.
Pokemon Unite: Two More Free Licenses Coming Soon
Pokemon Unite is set to release Jolteon and Flareon on October 13, with leaks suggesting both will be available for free to all trainers. These new evolutions will be part of an Eevee Festival event. While official details are pending, the game has a history of offering free licenses through in-game events and login rewards.
ARC Raiders is Free to Play From October 8th to 12th, Just in Time for Frozen Trail
Embark Studios' extraction shooter ARC Raiders will be free to play from October 8th to October 12th, coinciding with the launch of its "Frozen Trail" update. This update introduces new maps, enemies, weapons, and a new Rewards Pass system. The studio also announced a stricter anti-cheat policy with permanent bans for offenders.
Steam's "best September to date" has new faces like Wardogs and Blood of Dawnwalker leading the charge
Steam achieved its best September to date in 2026, generating an estimated $1.7 billion in revenue, a 13% increase over the previous year. New intellectual properties like Wardogs and The Blood of Dawnwalker led the charge among new releases, contributing significantly to the revenue alongside established franchises and popular free-to-play titles.
Paying to Play: How Different Types of Gaming Deal With Finance and Payment
This article analyzes the diverse financial models in gaming, from direct payments in casino slot games and traditional one-off purchases to subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus, and the free-to-play model with optional in-game purchases. It highlights how digital payments and cryptocurrency are increasingly integrated across these varied approaches.
Free Play Days – FARCRY 6, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Skull and Bones, The Crew Motorfest
Ubisoft is offering five of its titles for free play on Xbox from October 1st to October 4th. The games available are Far Cry 6, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Skull and Bones, and The Crew Motorfest. Players with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential memberships can access these games by navigating to the Free Play Days collection in the Xbox Store.
Aion 2's imminent worldwide release could be huge as early access founders' packs outsell major games, and player numbers soar
Aion 2 is set for a worldwide release soon, following its launch in Korea and Taiwan a year ago. The game has achieved significant success on Steam, topping the Top Sellers list with its founders' packs outselling major recent releases by revenue. Player numbers are also high, with the game ranking ninth on the Most Played chart, and it is expected to climb further upon its free-to-play open launch.
Despite going free-to-play in days, new MMORPG Aion 2 just became Steam's top seller
The upcoming free-to-play MMORPG Aion 2 has become Steam's top seller just days before its full launch, driven by sales of its Founder's Packs which offer early access. Developed by NCSoft, the game promises a vast world with both ground and aerial combat, featuring eight distinct classes. While the base game will be free, optional premium subscriptions and battle passes will be available.
AION 2 Hits #1 on Steam Ahead of Launch | Invision Game Community
NC America's upcoming MMORPG AION 2 has achieved the #1 position on Steam's Global Top Sellers chart ahead of its official launch. The game's success on the chart is attributed to players purchasing Early Access, reflecting strong player interest. NC America aims for AION 2 to be a long-lasting title supported by steady content updates.
Monster Hunter Outlanders Officially Launches on October 29
Monster Hunter Outlanders is officially launching on October 29, 2026, as a free-to-play mobile game. Pre-registration is now open, offering players rewards upon release. The game will feature exploration, resource gathering, crafting, and combat against various monsters in the world of Aesoland.
Fancy A Bit Of Neighbourly Destruction? NEIGHBORS: Suburban Warfare Is Free On Xbox
NEIGHBORS: Suburban Warfare is now available as a free-to-play multiplayer party brawler on Xbox Series X|S. Developed and published by Invisible Walls, the game allows players to destroy their neighbors' houses using various improvised weapons and gadgets, or defend their own homes.
Quake Champions eliminates its free-to-play monetization elements in favor of a $10 box price
Quake Champions has transitioned from a free-to-play model to a $10 box price on Steam, removing all battle passes and microtransactions. This change, likely a de facto maintenance mode following layoffs at id Software and Bethesda, also offers existing players continued access and refunds for purchased currencies. The Microsoft Store version has been retired.
Valve gives Path of Exile 2 the Steam Deck seal of approval, just in time for 1.0
Valve has officially classified Path of Exile 2 as Steam Deck Verified, just ahead of its full free-to-play launch on December 11. Grinding Gear Games also announced that pre-registrations have surpassed one million, unlocking milestone rewards. The game is noted as being more approachable than its predecessor and well-suited for handheld play.
Free Play Days – PGA TOUR 2K25, The Escapists 2, Young Suns, and The Division 2
Xbox is offering Free Play Days for several games including PGA TOUR 2K25 and The Division 2 for all Xbox members, and The Escapists 2 and Young Suns for Xbox Game Pass members. These titles are available from Thursday, September 24, to Sunday, September 27, with options to purchase the games at a discount after the trial period.
