Gearbox Software founder Randy Pitchford has confirmed that Battleborn won’t be going free to play, despite reports suggesting that the flagging FPS/MOBA hybrid would soon adopt the business model.
According to a report from Kotaku, a “source close to the game” informed the outlet that Battleborn would soon become free to play, allowing players to download the game for free with it then being financially supported by future DLC packs. However, Pitchford later denied the claims made by this report, tweeting:
I was just told about a reckless story about Battleborn going F2P that is false. There are no plans to convert Battleborn free to play.
— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) September 29, 2016
However, Pitchford confirmed that there will indeed be a free “trial version” of the game that players could download, though a retail version would also exist along with DLC:
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.
— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) September 29, 2016
Battleborn has had a troubled existence, with it being released shortly before the immensely popular Overwatch, which subsequently wiped the majority of its player base and left it floundering as a result. Though a reasonably decent combination of FPS gameplay and MOBA-esque lane control, it struggled to compete with its more accomplished peer and suffered greatly as a result.
Many believed that moving to a free to play model would help improve Battleborn‘s fortunes, but it seems that Gearbox is still hoping that a retail version of the game will prove to be enticing despite the existence of Overwatch. Perhaps the trial version of the game will be substantial enough to get people interested in experiencing the full game – or perhaps it will convince Gearbox that going F2P is really the only way that Battleborn is going to reinvigorate its stagnant player base.
