Xbox One News: More Free-to-Play Games Coming in Future

Xbox One owners can expect to find more free-to-play games on the console in the future, according to one of the heads of gaming at Microsoft. 

Addressing a question recently on Twitter if Microsoft had any news about the future of free-to-play games on the XBox One, Corporate Vice President at Microsoft Game Studios, Phil Spencer, replied that more free games are indeed coming to Microsoft platforms due to the success previous games that used the pricing model enjoyed on the Xbox 360. No specific games or dates were mentioned for the new free-to-play titles. Microsoft will announce specifics close to the launch of the games rather than far in advance, Spencer said. 

Currently, the Xbox One has two free games available: Killer Instinct and Xbox Fitness. The Xbox 360 has several more options, including Happy Wars, Warface, Ascend: Hand of Kul and World of Tanks. Microsoft has refused to reveal what sorts of profits are generated from these games or how big a user base most of these games enjoy. Microsoft has stated in the past that Happy Wars has had over 6 million players since launch in 2012, but it is unknown how engaged those players are with the game and if they frequently purchase microtransactions. Microsoft also hasn't said how much money is generated by any of these games, but if more free-to-play games are coming it is likely Micsrofot's making a decent profit.

Once the preferred pricing model of mobile and certain genres of games, free-to-play games have begun crossing over into mainstream console gaming as well. These types of games allow users to download and begin playing the game for free, but either have content gates that prevent users from passing a certain point without paying first or offer different items or content through microtransactions. For example, users can begin playing Killer Instinct for free on the Xbox One, but new fighters cost money.