Fall Guys is going free-to-play, in addition to releasing on Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and the Epic Games Store.
There comes a time in the lifespan of (most) live service games where the developer and publisher needs to make a choice: Do we switch to free-to-play to reinvigorate the user base, or do we stick to our guns on retail pricing?
Both options have their pros and cons. There’s the cost implications of lost purchasing receipts versus the money you can recoup on things like cosmetics, for instance. And an influx of players makes for a more exciting environment for everyone, but people who paid retail price tend to be a bit miffed when you offer them a “founders” cosmetic (or some other token) as a reward for shelling out their hard-earned.
But in the case of Fall Guys – where arguably the bulk of the game’s user base (at least, on console) came from a stint on PlayStation Plus at the game’s launch – there are less people to offend with the price removal.
And with a double-whammy of going free-to-play and releasing on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and the Epic Games Store? Fall Guys is set for a bumper boost to its player numbers.
Fall Guys will go free-to-play on June 21, 2022. That’s roughly two years after its original launch. It will also become available on the Xbox Store, Nintendo eShop, and Epic Games Store on the same date. (And, as an added bonus, a PS5-enhanced version will also be available on the PlayStation Store.)
Additionally, Fall Guys will revert back to “season one” on that date – the free-to-play era is something of a clean slate for all players – and the game’s revenue will be supported by the availability of season passes, using a new in-game currency called Show Bucks.
If you’re unsure, Mediatonic has put together a Fall Guys free-for-all FAQ to try and assuage your fears.
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