Happy Wars to be first microtransaction game on platform
Microsoft has revealed that the upcoming Happy Wars will be released as the first free-to-play title on Xbox 360.
Happy Wars is being developed by the Japanese studio Toylogic, and will be available to all Xbox Live Gold subscribers.
Players can purchase items to alter their character's appearance, but it is unknown if any of these virtual goods will have a more than cosmetic effect.
Microsoft has promised to support the game after launch with additional items and character options, which is in keeping with the business model of most free-to-play games.
Though other games have been available for free download on the platform, Happy Wars will be the first to offer in-game transactions.
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The already announced free-to-play Ascend: New Gods will appear on the platform later.
I knew MS would jump on board the free-to-play train, they just can't resist any chance to make a buck.
@Mike oxbig
If you were a developer you would know that the "freemium" model is one of the only ways to actually make money as a developer nowadays as gamers generally don't pay money for console games from small dev companies. By adding freemium games to Xbox, Microsoft are supporting smaller developers and allowing them to publish games for console that will reach a massive audience.
I read the headline and thought that they'd be offering it to all XBL members, not just Gold subscribers. So, in essence, it's still not as "free" as every other F2P.
