F2P games coming to Xbox 360

sambo · June 25, 2011, 08:46:11 AM

Free-to-play games are coming to Xbox 360, according to a new report.

Microsoft is talking with developers to discuss free-to-play game deals, Develop understands.

This will be games that can either be monetised by in-game items or premium upgrade costs, Develop said.

Xbox 360 will incorporate a micro-transactions service using Microsoft Points.

Xbox Live has so far been a closed system, preventing massively multiplayer games, for example, from finding a home on the service.

Final Fantasy XIV Online creator and director Hiromichi Tanaka told Eurogamer last year that a "closed" Xbox Live blocked the game from appearing on Xbox 360.

And PlayStation 3 exclusive MMO shooter Dust 514 is in a similar situation. Developer CCP told Eurogamer at E3 this month that it went with Sony because "at least they have policies that allow us to build the game the way we want".

AnalogReflex · June 25, 2011, 05:11:32 PM

It's about MS is letting this happen. I look forward to seeing what the debs will bring our way.

nCogNeato · June 25, 2011, 06:04:20 PM

The idea of free-to-play games coming to Xbox LIVE has been something rumored for years. If they do actually get it off the ground, it can only mean good things or Microsoft and the game creators.

Windedprism · July 19, 2011, 09:08:58 AM

Could this mean mmorpgs coming? well it would be about time, I can see the likes of social games going in first though!!

nCogNeato · July 19, 2011, 03:17:19 PM

Age of Empires Online will be F2P on Games for Windows LIVE. If/when they bring it to Xbox, I don't see why they woudn't keep the F2P model.

Windedprism · July 19, 2011, 07:00:27 PM

Age of empires with Kinect controls

zerosum · July 20, 2011, 09:53:00 PM

The term "micro-transactions" brings on ideas of Farmville.... $:-\$

Windedprism · July 21, 2011, 11:23:28 AM

It does indeed, my missus has this game on her phone, paradise island or something like that, she almost succumbed to buying gold so she could get some sort of fancy building!!!!!

So far the micro-transaction is away from my door but I fear the worst when someday she turns to me and says:''Eh, I kind of spent xxx amount to get some new stuff for my virtual fashion store!'' it's coming, I just don;t know when!! aaarghh!