For a game that seemed to have a lot going for it, Gearbox Software's Battleborn didn't fare particularly well when it released in May last year. This is partly due to the $39.99 price tag - a fairly steep price considering the content - and even more due to the release of Overwatch, which came out sometime later, dominating the gaming scene and overshadowing the similar gameplay of Battleborn.
Although the price would occasionally drop in holiday-themed sales, the game never quite recovered. In the studio's latest bid to revive Battleborn's severely weakened community, Gearbox has announced that the title will now be free... to an extent.
The flashy trailer does a decent job in distracting viewers from the reality of the free trial. Much of the game's content has been cut away, leaving only the bare minimum to hopefully entice players into purchasing the full version. Only 6 of the 30 characters are available, with weekly rotating rosters for players to experiment with. The full cast is accessible through either accumulating enough of the in-game currency or buying platinum (a type of premium currency purchased with real money).
According to the FAQ, the story mode will only be available through the full version as well. Additional restricted content includes private matches, various characters made available through DLC, and a variety of exclusive cosmetics.
Battleborn is now available free (kind of) on PS4, Xbox One, and PC through the Steam retailer. More information can be found on the game's official website. There's also a developer video detailing the changes too. Check it out.
