Xbox’s Towerborne Ditches Free-to-Play for Paid Model
▼ Summary
– Towerborne, an action RPG published by Xbox Game Studios, will officially launch on February 26th as a paid, offline-playable game instead of its originally planned free-to-play, always-online model.
– The developer, Stoic, stated this change required significant structural rebuilding to transform systems designed for constant connectivity into a more accessible and player-friendly experience.
– The shift to a premium model was based on community feedback during Early Access, with players wanting a complete, polished game without ongoing monetization or pay-to-win systems.
– The 1.0 release will feature a complete story, new bosses, a reworked difficulty system, and all in-game cosmetics available for free through gameplay.
– The game will launch on multiple platforms including Xbox, PC, Game Pass, Steam, and PS5, with standard and deluxe editions priced at $24.99 and $29.99 respectively.
The upcoming action role-playing game Towerborne is making a significant strategic shift ahead of its official launch, abandoning its initial free-to-play design in favor of a traditional paid model. Developed by Stoic and published by Xbox Game Studios, this side-scrolling adventure will now offer a complete, offline-playable experience when it releases on February 26th. This decision fundamentally changes the game’s structure and value proposition, moving away from the pervasive live-service format.
According to the studio, the change came directly from player feedback gathered during the early access period. Trisha Stouffer, CEO of Stoic, explained that the team undertook a major overhaul to rebuild systems originally designed for constant online connectivity. The goal was to create a stronger and more accessible final product. “You will own the complete experience permanently, with offline play and online co-op,” Stouffer stated, emphasizing the shift toward player ownership over ongoing engagement metrics.
An official FAQ elaborated on the reasoning, noting that testers expressed a clear desire for a polished, complete game without the trappings of continuous monetization. The move to a premium, one-time purchase model allows the developers to deliver the full game upfront, eliminating typical live-service elements like a grinding progression loop or pay-to-win mechanics. This approach positions Towerborne differently in a market dominated by games like Fortnite, potentially appealing to players fatigued by endless live-service commitments.
The version 1.0 launch will feature a conclusive story campaign, introduce new boss encounters, and include a reworked difficulty system. A key benefit for players is that all cosmetic items will be earnable through gameplay at no additional cost, completely removing real-money purchases for character customization. Individuals who participated in the early access program will retain access to the game.
Towerborne is scheduled for release on Xbox Series X/S, PC via the Microsoft Store and Steam, and surprisingly, on PlayStation 5. It will also be available through Xbox Game Pass on day one. The standard edition is priced at $24.99, with a deluxe edition costing $29.99.
(Source: The Verge)
