Posted in: Games, Video Games | Tagged: Battleborn, Gearbox Software, HRL

Battleborn Is Getting A Free-To-Play Multiplayer Version "Without Limits"

Published Wed, 07 Jun 2017 11:10:47 -0500

Last updated Wed, 07 Jun 2017 15:51:27 -0500

Developer Gearbox Software has announced Battleborn's Free Trial, which is a free-to-play version of the hero shooter's multiplayer modes. And while the title might sound like this is just a trial period, that doesn't appear to be the case.

The free version of Battleborn includes unlimited access to all competitive multiplayer modes in the game "without any time limits, level caps or a planned end date," according to Gearbox. Players will be able to choose from a weekly rotating roster of six playable heroes, and any progress you make with each hero will be saved and carried over to when it inevitably reenters the rotation. So, it's basically like owning Battleborn, just without a full stable roster or campaign mode.

The Free Trial is now available globally on Xbox One and PC. It is also available on PS4 for players in North and South America. Europe and Asia will have to wait until June 13th to get Battleborn's Multiplayer for free.

Anyone who has played Battleborn prior to the launch of the Free Trial mode will be awarded with free loot packs, credits, and the Founder's Crown Flair, which is a new piece of cosmetic gear. This is obviously to show Gearbox's appreciation for your patronage, however consistent it might be.

The devs also announced a new multiplayer mode called "Supercharge" will be launching soon.

In a blog post dedicated to the free trial, the developer notes in order to unlock Achievements/Trophies earned while playing the free version, players will have to upgrade to the full game.

Back in September of 2016, Gearbox head Randy Pitchford responded to rumors of a F2P Battleborn by saying:

"There are no plans to convert Battleborn free to play. We have some unannounced plans to do a trial version of the game that would be free and from which retail can be purchased along with DLC."

But it sounds to us like Pitchford just has a different definition of free-to-play than the rest of the world, because F2P is exactly what this "free trial" is. And we're pretty unsurprised to hear the shooter has made the move to a free-to-play format, as it was utterly crushed by it's competition. After all, Overwatch has been everyone's darling since it launched.

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