Gearbox Boss Explains Battleborn’s Free Trial is Retail with DLC; Discourages Describing it as F2P

No one can deny the failure Gearbox experienced with Battleborn’s release, which is understandable as it launched alongside Blizzard’s massively successful Overwatch. Both games looked identical at the time, but Blizzard managed to come out on top.

Recently, Gearbox released a free trial for those interested in giving Battleborn a try. The trial grants you unlimited access to all the game’s modes and maps, but limits the number of characters. Available characters will rotate, so make sure to keep an eye when the character you want shows up.

Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford revealed older players will receive a “Founder’s Crown” flair and a number of in-game items as a gift for sticking around.

Players who have already purchased and played Battleborn prior to the launch of the Free Trial are now awarded Founder Status and will receive a slew of in-game item rewards including loot packs, credits, an exclusive “Founder’s Crown” Flair item and more. Flair are special pieces of gear introduced with the arrival of the Free Trial that bestow visual components on heroes, such as horns and headwear.

He also commented on sites describing the trial as a free-to-play version of the game, which it kind of isn’t.

Misleading stories and characterizations complicate the expectations. Words actually matter. I am just trying to correct expectations.

— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) June 6, 2017

Make sure to give Battleborn a try and let us know what you think.

The post Gearbox Boss Explains Battleborn’s Free Trial is Retail with DLC; Discourages Describing it as F2P appeared first on Gameranx.

News: Battleborn is free-to-play now, even if Randy Pitchford says it's not

PlayStation Store Sale Now Live, Features Heavy Deals on Soccer Titles; Full List of Sales Detailed Here

Sony has released their sales for the PSN this week and it seems to be focused on Soccer. Yesterday, we learned that Cristiano Ronaldo will be the cover for FIFA 18, and today players can pick up the latest entry in the series, FIFA 17, for a discounted price.

Konami’s soccer game, PES 2017, is also on sale. But soccer isn’t the only thing getting discounted; there are a bunch of titles on PS3 for sale, alongside some discounted pre-order deals.

Check out the full list of sales down below (courtesy of PlayStation LifeStyle):

Futbol Sale

PlayStation 4

• FIFA 17 – $15.99
• FIFA 17 Deluxe Edition – $23.99
• PES 2017 – $19.99

PlayStation 3

• FIFA 17 – $15.99

New Release Deals (Sale Price, PlayStation Plus Price)

• Digerati Bundle 3 Pack Part 4: Letter Quest Remastered, The Sun and Moon, Three Fourths Home Extended Edition (PS4, PS Vita) – $8.99 (PS+)
• Jump Stars (PS4) – $7.99 (PS+)
• Neighborhorde (PS4) – $3.99, $3.74
• Skylight Freerange (PS Vita) – $4.99

Other Deals (Sale Price, PS+ Price)

• 8DAYS (PS4) – $5.99, $5.49
• APB Reloaded G1C (PS4) – 10% to 20% off each bundle
• Bounce Rescue! (PS4) – $2.99, $1.99
• Claire: Extended Cut (PS Vita) – $5.99, $4.49
• Corridor Z (PS4, PS Vita) – $3.99, $3.19
• Crazy Strike Bowling EX (PS4) – $6.49
• Darksiders: Fury’s Collection War and Death (PS4) – $19.99
• Dex (PS4, PS Vita) – $13.39, $11.99
• EA Sports NHL 17 (PS4) – $9.99
• EA Sports NHL 17 Deluxe Edition (PS4) – $29.99
• EA Sports NHL 17 Super Deluxe Edition (PS4) – $62.99
• For Honor 5,000 Steel Credits Pack (PS4) – $3.49
• For Honor 150,000 Steel Credits Pack (PS4) – $69.99
• Headmaster (PSVR) – $12.99
• Oh…Sir! The Insult Simulator (PS4) – $2.69, $2.39
• Paddle vs Paddle (PS4) – $10.79
• Pinball Arcade Twilight Zone Pinball Table (PS3, PS Vita) – $4.49, $3.99
• Pinball Arcade Twilight Zone Pinball Table (PS4) – $4.49, $3.99
• Pinball Arcade Twilight Zone Pro Table Pack (PS3, PS Vita) – $7.19, $6.39
• Pinball Arcade Twilight Zone Pro Pack (PS4) – $7.19, $6.39
• Red Goddess: Inner World (PS4) – $4.49
• Skylight Freerange 2: Gachduine (PS4, PS Vita) – $4.94
• Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands Large Pack 7285 Credits (PS4) – $26.24
• Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands Medium Pack 3840 Credits (PS4) – $15.99
• Type:Rider (PS4) – $3.99
• VR Invaders / Skyforge 6000 Argents Bundle (PS4) – $14.99
• VR Invaders / Skyforge Loremaster Bundle (PS4) – $17.99
• Wanderjahr (PS Vita) – $4.99
• Wanderjahr (PS4) – $7.49
• We Are The Dwarves (PS4) – $11.24, $10.49

Freebies

• 3on3 FreeStyle PlayStation Plus Bonus Pack June (PS4) – PS+
• Battleborn Demo (PS4)
• Dark Rose Valkyrie New Mission Addition packs (PS4)
• Dead or Alive 5: Last Round Core Fighters + Phase 4 (PS4)
• PayDay 2: Crimewave Edition The Most Wanted Theme (PS4)
• Persona 5 Maid and Butler Costume Set (PS4, PS3)
• Ride 2 Free Bikes Pack 9 (PS4)

PS4 Pre-Order Deals (Sale Price, PS+ Price)

• AereA Deluxe Edition – $53.99, $47.99
• Nex Machina – $15.99 (PS+)
• Pyre – $17.99
• South Park: The Fractured But Whole – $59.99 (includes South Park: The Stick of Truth)

PlayStation owners remember: Starting later this week, Sony is going to be holding their Days of Play event as a Thank You to their fans. The event will start this Friday and will run until June 17. During this selected time period, PlayStation users will receive special deals on the latest games and accessories for the PlayStation 4. Read more about the event here.

Will you be picking up any of these titles? Let us know in the comments below!

The post PlayStation Store Sale Now Live, Features Heavy Deals on Soccer Titles; Full List of Sales Detailed Here appeared first on Gameranx.

Battleborn gets a pseudo free-to-play option

It seems that all failing games eventually go the free-to-play route. Sadly, for as good as Battleborn may have actually been, it was a pretty big misstep for Gearbox Software. No matter what Randy Pitchford may have said (including talking about Battleborn themed porn), the game never took with the public, so this new "trial" only makes sense.

Launched today for PC and Xbox One (coming June 13 for PS4), the free download grants access to all available modes and maps of Battleborn, but limits you to a rotating cast of six characters. This is similar to how Heroes of the Storm or League of Legends works, just that those games didn't originally launch as a $60 game with a season pass.

You can unlock the rest of the cast by earning currency or purchasing "Platinum" currency with real money. If you owned the game before this shift, you'll be given "founder" status and a ton of extra nonsense.

Blog Post: Battleborn Receives Substantial Free Trial

Gearbox Software MOBA/First-person shooter hybrid has received a free trial a little over a year after the game first released. Late last years there were rumors that Gearbox was prepping a free-to-play version of the game but CEO Randy Pitchford shot that down pretty quickly.

The trial doesn't make the game completely make it free-to-play due to the limited roster but it's pretty close. Gearbox says that "Players can now pick up Battleborn as a free downloadable experience that grants UNLIMITED access to all competitive multiplayer gameplay modes and maps, without any time limits or level caps. To keep things fresh, there is a weekly rotation of six heroes from the roster of 30 total heroes. Progress with each hero and player account progression is also permanent, so when the same character comes back around players can pick them up where they left off."

You can watch a trailer for the mode here:

[View:5460479864001]

And if you want a further breakdown, here's more video on that:

[View:5460459234001]

It's worth noting those who have owned the game before the free-to-play version will receive Founder's Status and be given the following perks:

• 1,000 Platinum
• 50,000 Credits
• Exclusive “Founder” player title
• Gold skins for Mellka and Deande
• 5 Core Loot Packs
• 1 of each Command Faction Pack (5 total)
• 1 Exclusive “Founder Loot Pack” that includes…
  • 1 guaranteed piece of legendary gear
  • 1 guaranteed piece of legendary boss gear
  • 2 guaranteed pieces of common (or better) gear
  • Guaranteed exclusive legendary “Shard of Solus” gear item (a 0 activation cost LLC Shard Generator)
  • 4 guaranteed Flair items including exclusive “Founder’s Crown” Flair item

Those who stick with the free version of the game will be playing with a roster of six characters that switch out every week but will otherwise have full access to all competitive modes and maps. The trial is now available on PS4, PC, and Xbox One.

 

Our Take
Miller wasn't too enthusiastic about Battleborn in his review of the game but hey, if it's free, why not give it a whirl?

Battleborn goes free-to-play today, owners get bonus content

Europe and Japan PS4 versions go free next week

Continue reading…

Battleborn May Be Free To Play Soon

Following a recent patch update for Gearbox and 2k publisher’s MOBA, Battleborn, it seems that the underperforming title may be heading into the F2P realm.

The extensive patch has added loads and loads of random cosmetic items such as hats, ears and other bits nonsense to make your character look that little bit extra. This along with new loot boxes, and what would appear to be a new title of ‘Founder’ for existing players, hints that Gearbox may be following the business model of other popular free to play titles – especially considering that the daily player base for PC players is just under 100 concurrent players.

HATS! HORNS! EARS! Oh, my! We’ve added a new visual Gear Flair system to Battleborn! Hunt down visual aesthetic customization enhancements to make your favorite Battleborn look SWANK! Flair has a random chance to be added to any gear item. To wear a piece of Flair, activate that Gear item within any match or mission. 

• Hats

• Ears

• Horns

In my opinion, Battleborn isn’t the worst title out there, sure it may not be the best multiplayer experience but it’s still an inherently decent game – the mechanics, visuals, it’s not a complete disaster – and it features split screen. Who knows perhaps the prospect of crossing over into the F2P realm may financially save the title, let us know your thoughts in the comments below

 

 

 

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