If any category of gaming has been increasing in popularity over the past few years, it’s free-to-play (F2P) games. With a low barrier of entry, both in terms of gameplay simplicity and cost, they have redefined what it means for many people to thrive in the gaming industry.

If you’ve never tried a free-to-play game before, there’s a good chance you’re wondering what on earth all the hype is about. Here’s a quick rundown on why free-to-play games and platforms have attracted the attention of people all over the world.

They cost nothing

Yes, this point is probably already obvious, but the fact that free-to-play games are in fact free of charge has had a huge impact on their success and popularity.

This is especially true in an age when the average video game, particularly AAA games, are taking longer to develop and require more employees. This means that today’s games cost more than ever before.

For gamers who are feeling the crunch of these prices and want their gaming to be less demanding on their pockets, free-to-play gaming platforms can feel like a sanctuary.

Demos for games have always been coveted. They allow people to test-drive a product before spending a single cent. For many new players, the free-to-play era allows them to get back into that test-drive mindset. Except now, you have access to the entire game without needing to pay a cent.

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Microtransactions can provide an edge

Microtransactions often get a bad rap. This is usually from people who do not play free-to-play games. For those who do, these transactions can be an excellent way to fast-forward through a lot of the busywork that certain kinds of games tend to have.

For some people, money is a more valuable resource. For others, it’s time. If you’re in the latter group, games with microtransactions will allow you to get to the juiciest parts of a game. For people who have enough disposable income but need to spend their leisure time wisely, this can be a godsend.

When it comes to both cosmetics and competitive edges, spending a few extra bucks can be what it takes to turn a good free-to-play title into a great one.

Not every game needs to have microtransactions, and there’s nothing wrong with omitting them entirely. However, whether you like them or not, they definitely add a unique allure to the world of F2P and the overall gaming sector.

F2P games are often easy to learn

Though there are often exceptions to a rule, free-to-play games and platforms tend to offer simple, accessible rules and mechanics that do not require much time or effort to understand.

With today’s advances in software and hardware, gaming can get very complicated, in effect mirroring the same intensity and theatrics of a major Hollywood flick like Gladiator II — the glory of Rome on the big screen is a thing to behold. There are some games out there that take hours to learn all the rules, let alone begin to gain a sense of competency.

Free-to-play games turn this model on its head. For many people, they can be learned within minutes or even seconds. They offer a sense of intuitive game design that taps into people’s sense of instant gratification. That’s a hard line to compete with.

Nips piracy in the bud

Piracy is a negative for parties on both sides of the aisle. For game developers and publishers, it means losing cash for every game stolen online. For the players, there’s not only the risk of downloading malware but the guilt that comes from stealing something.

The free-to-play market has helped push back heavily against the culture of piracy, and it has made the world of gaming a better place. As they cost nothing to play, gamers who feel they have very little money to spend can still get their game on. In the past, everyone had to cough up the money to play the hottest new titles, unless they could borrow it from a friend or family member. Now, anyone can be a part of many major gaming sensations free of charge.

Constant content updates

With the standard gaming model, a product is released and that’s that. It may get a few patches and even a downloadable content package (DLC), but it’s essentially treated like a static entity.

F2P titles receive updates far more often than their paid counterparts. This makes them much more exciting in the long term. You can be a part of a F2P gaming community for several years, and the games you play can receive content updates on a regular basis. Some of these games get updates every month. This means players always have something new to look forward to. It also rewards players for their loyalty, even if they never spend a cent on the game.