Battleborn is now Free

Battleborn is a shooter that was involved in a rumor months back suggesting the title would go free-to-play. Gearbox head Randy Pitchford came out to deny the rumors going so far as to call the rumor reckless according to PC Gamer. The rub is that the game has actually gone free-to-play with what Gearbox is calling a “free downloadable experience” available for gamers to grab right now.

This “free downloadable experience” has no time limits, no level caps, and additional content can be unlocked or purchased on a per item basis. That sounds exactly like free-to-play to me. Players get access to six of the games 30 characters and those accessible characters change weekly. However the player progression is permanent, presumably that means your level and perks persist no matter what character you choose to play.

Battleborn content such as heroes, skins, boosters, and story mode operations will be unlockable via spending real money in the marketplace. If you already own the game, Gearbox is trying to soften the blow that the game is now free by giving you “Founder” status including legendary gear, 1000 Platinum, 50,000 credits, loot packs, various bonuses, and a founder’s Crown to wear in game.

Some new training modes have been added along with tutorials and a Dojo for unlimited practice. Pitchford says that these changes don’t make the game free-to-play, he says the game is “retail with DLC.”