Premium Games
Ongoing coverage on Premium Games.
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Riot Games is considering making premium titles, says co-founder
Riot Games is exploring the development of premium, non-free-to-play titles, according to co-founder Marc Merrill. While the company has found success with free-to-play games like League of Legends and Valorant, Merrill indicated that not every game needs to be free-to-play and that the business model must fit the game's vision. This comes after the discontinuation of their fighting game 2XKO and the winding down of the Riot Forge publishing label.
Warhammer 40,000 Boltgun Boom Launches on Mobile This August - GameHaunt
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun Boom is launching on iOS and Android devices on August 26, 2026, as a premium, ad-free experience developed by Nitro Games under license from Games Workshop. The mobile version retains the retro-inspired pixel art and fast-paced action of the PC original, offering full controller support alongside touch controls.
Live service games are in decline as gamers crave more traditional gaming
A report indicates a decline in the revenue generated by top-grossing live service games, particularly on PC, with player engagement shifting towards role-playing and adventure games. Despite the overall trend, titles like Roblox and Fortnite continue to dominate player time, though even Fortnite has seen a significant drop in engagement. This suggests a growing player preference for premium and back-catalog titles over free-to-play ecosystems.
WRIGHT FLYER STUDIOS Unveils Another Eden Launch for Steam - GameHaunt
WRIGHT FLYER STUDIOS announced that Another Eden Begins will launch on Steam for PC on September 16, 2026, priced at $29.99 USD. This premium, single-player JRPG features a time-traveling story written by Masato Kato with music by Yasunori Mitsuda, and will not include mobile gacha mechanics. The PC version is rebuilt on a new engine and offers cloud saves for cross-platform play with devices like the Steam Deck.
XDefiant’s Phoenix Protocol: Ubisoft’s Bold F2P-to-Premium Resurrection
Ubisoft is relaunching its tactical shooter XDefiant as a premium title on April 20, 2026, after a year-long overhaul. The game will be priced at $67.67, marking a significant shift from its original free-to-play model. This move is seen as a bold experiment in the current gaming market, potentially influencing future shooter development if successful.
Take-Two boss Zelnick says it would be "unfair" to put ads in premium games
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick stated that implementing advertisements in premium games, for which players pay $70 or $80, would be unfair. He noted that while limited advertising is acceptable in titles like NBA 2K due to its in-game context, it is not suitable for full-priced releases. Zelnick also discussed the company's strategy to expand its revenue beyond the US and Western Europe by localizing content and investing in emerging markets.
Take-Two boss says he's not interested in putting ads into premium games: 'It would seem unfair'
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick stated that the company is not interested in implementing advertisements in premium games, deeming it unfair to players who have paid full price. While acknowledging limited advertising in titles like NBA 2K that fits the in-game context, he believes interstitial ads are inappropriate for $70-$80 games. This stance contrasts with predictions of increased in-game advertising across PC and console titles as a new revenue stream.
