According to a report from Develop Microsoft is now offering support for free-to-play titles on Xbox 360. Several sources close to the situation tell Develop that Microsoft is asking developers to discuss future free-to-play game deals. This is being done "behind the scenes" for the time being, according to Develop. Microsoft is looking at games that can be monetized by in-game item purchases or premium upgrades.
Microsoft’s 360 will incorporate a new micro transactions service that supports the free-to-play model, says Develop. The main thing this new system would support are micro-transactions - the bread and butter of most free-to-play game titles. While Microsoft is not commenting on this story, given the large number of high profile MMO's going free-to-play and Valve's decision last week to support free- to play titles on Steam and to make Team Fortress 2 its first game to support the model, it makes sense that Microsoft would stick its toe into the water.
Sony Online entertainment's free-to-play MMO, Free Realms, is available on PS3 and was the company's first (and currently only) game to offer free-to-play on a console.
Hopefully the first game Microsoft supports on Xbox Live is the new free-to-play version of Team Fortress 2...
Source: Develop
Comments
Re: Report: Microsoft Planning Support for Free to Play on ...
What would be nice if F2P games were available to silver members.
All complaints about needing to pay for XBL are unnecessary in this discussion.
Here are we -- and yonder yawns the universe.
Re: Report: Microsoft Planning Support for Free to Play on ...
Why are the unnecessary? You said it yourself, even these games won't be available to free silver members. So I think that is a valid concern.
You can play these games for free, but only after you pay us. That is what Microsoft is saying.
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
Random Tower: Game News and Commentary
Re: Report: Microsoft Planning Support for Free to Play on ...
Actually Microsoft hasn't said a thing. All of this is still nothing but rumors. All of us, myself included, are assuming that they're true. Besides I prefer look at it as gold members getting more value for their money. I sincerly doubt that this is going to convince anybody who has a an XBox to get gold if they haven't already at this point.
Re: Report: Microsoft Planning Support for Free to Play on ...
But you will still be required to pay 60 dollars a year to play online.
Re: Report: Microsoft Planning Support for Free to Play on ...
Why not first start with free online play for Silver members?
Re: Report: Microsoft Planning Support for Free to Play on ...
Agreed, and the main reason I prefer PSN.
Re: Report: Microsoft Planning Support for Free to Play on ...
Completely agree with both of you 100%. I'd love to play online, but it's not possible with only a free membership. I think the PSN got it right when they went with their multiplayer for all.
Re: Report: Microsoft Planning Support for Free to Play on ...
Generally, I agree. But you also get what you pay for. Xbox LIVE has long been considered the best in online matchmaking and general online service.
But, on the other hand, I'm seeing a lot more preorders for NCAA Football 2012 and Madden 2012 on the PS3 than I did last year, it's just about 50-50 between PS3 and Xbox now. Perhaps Xbox is slowly losing the one edge it had over the PS3.
And it's not just sports games that are evening out, either. Modern Warfare 3, Battlefield 3, and even Mass Effect 3 for the PS3 are seeing pre-orders on equal terms with their Xbox counterparts than the previous iterations.
Of course, this is just in my area, so I can't speak for the entire community. But I still think it's interesting, nonetheless.
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