BattleForge gets 'Play4Free' edition
by Ben Gilbert 
{ May 26th 2009 at 12:10PM } 
According to the game's website, the "Play4Free" version of BattleForge will replace the demo version and give players access to "all game content" -- it even comes with 32 cards (four times the amount that came with the demo). EA says that the retail box copy of the game will now serve as a "points box," as it comes packed with 3000 points ready for use in EA's store. It remains to be seen whether this move will spurn those who already purchased the game or bring in enough new players to support the continued existence of it. What say you, Joystiq Biomass?
Gallery: BattleForge
[Via Big Download]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Cole @ May 26th 2009 12:25PM
I told my Gamestop when I bought this game that the servers would probably peak at a worldwide population of 5000 and go offline by August with this business model, but at the time I didn't care and was addicted to the beta. I didn't quit the game until I realized that you have to grind 'PvE' (think any typical RTS campaign level) over and over again for a chance at a certain upgrade card to drop. That MMO model sucked every ounce of fun I had from this otherwise amazing game. Most squandered potential of the year.
Omega2k3 @ May 26th 2009 6:18PM
Dude.
I must have seen this exact same comment by you in like every single BattleForge post.
*checks your previous posts*
You scoundrel, you.
Sam @ May 26th 2009 12:26PM
so... its like an extended demo? 32 cards doesn't sound like much. I've never heard about this game but i'll check it out if I can ever tear away from plants vs zombies & tf2.
Maurice M @ May 26th 2009 12:27PM
I'm willing to try it with this announcement. I doubt that I will stick with it given that I have no urge to get sucked into a micro transaction game. Maybe it will surprise me though.
Cole @ May 26th 2009 12:31PM
The game is an utter blast and is addicting as hell. Just wait until you realize what you have to do to get the upgrade cards you want though.
xx Beta Max xx @ May 26th 2009 12:47PM
BattleForge -29.99 Price Points
Ben Gilbert @ May 26th 2009 12:57PM
They give you a bonus point for buying it in stores! How nice! :P
Sonic @ May 26th 2009 1:12PM
Another free game is fine by me... although the people who bought it already probably will be pissed that they just wasted $30 on a game.
Hopefully the free version will come to Steam as well. :)
Storm Eagle @ May 26th 2009 1:13PM
So it's fun to play and they got a lot of it right for the most part but to up the replay value they force you to grind your life away for the upgrade cards? Am I understanding this correctly?
MaJoR @ May 26th 2009 6:13PM
Meh. It isn't free to play. Sure you can play a little of the game for free, like a demo, but to be an active participant in the game you have to pay: you have to spend money to expand and get more cards. So if you want to play the game for free and spend no money you are screwed, you could never be competitive. Your paying opponent will always have more and stronger cards. Really though, this method is fine I suppose, it was never intended to be free afterall. But it does gripe me cause some morons are going to go "FREE!" and think it is free, when it isn't really. Not any more free then a demo.
The main beef I have with this game and this model is the micro transactions. This is the perfect model for EA; they can just release more and more powerful cards and people have to continue buying in order to stay competitive. Instead of $60 one time you end up spending infinity dollars to continue play the game. $120? $400? Who knows how high it could go! That is what EA is thinking. More money out of your pocket the better. This isn't a MMO, they don't have to put a ton of effort into maintaining the game. It is just an RTS, like starcraft before it. It doesn't require a constant expense on behave of EA, like an MMO's common excuse is. Therefore, you get an ordinary RTS with an ever expanding need to spend money if you are to to stay competitive with the online competition. Infinite dollars. Isn't that just great? And if you like the game and don't want to keep paying, you have no choice but to either drop the game or keep on paying. There is no such thing as a single payment plan for it.
This has been EA's goal for some time. More money, less game. Less effort and more rewards. Who loses in this arrangement? The costumer. YOU.
Omega2k3 @ May 26th 2009 6:25PM
I think you're talking about Capcom, Sir. EA has been doing a magnificent job as of late, and I used to think they were the worst. Most of their DLC is worthwhile, and the only reason that this is a microtransaction game is because of the card game style play. You buy booster packs, just like a normal card game, so how is this model any different than Magic: The Gathering or Pokemon TCG's?
Dansk @ May 26th 2009 6:53PM
I'm not sure you can re-sell your battleforge cards, and there isn't a parity/conversion option to real life cards.
Also, there is a gambling aspect to Magic (specially MTGO), even if its dilluted and hidden.