Microsoft has just announced that all features of the world creation game Project Spark will be completely free. In the past, Project Spark has required players to play or pay for coins. This change is coming on the 5th of October, and all existing users will be able to access DLC for free.
On the same day that this change happens there will also be an update to Project Spark with a couple of changes to make it bigger than ever. The max terrain and prop limit will increase, over 200 new assets added, and 100 total upload slots for each creator. Achievements will change to cater towards players and creators, and maps will be rated on downloads and favorites.
For players who have purchased items from the Project Spark Marketplace, don't worry. Money spent on the marketplace will be refunded to your Microsoft Account. It won't be instant as these purchases will go through 30-60 days after October 5th.
Now that the DLC for Project Spark is free, it means that everyone will have access to not only all created levels but different game modes like the FPS mode. The Conker DLC should also be accessible, letting you create games with him whenever you want.
Quick Take
I think that this is a smart move on Microsoft's part as it reduces the paywall to creating the kinds of games that people want to create. I also think it's good that they are making the Conker character free as a lot of people want more Conker, as we can see from reactions to a video earlier today, but having Conker appear in Project Spark is not what any fans were expecting.
What do you think of Project Spark becoming a free game? Are there any games you think you could make in it? Are you more likely to play it now that it will be free?