NetEase’s Naraka: Bladepoint Goes Free-to-Play
The upcoming shooter Naraka: Bladepoint, developed by NetEase, will no longer have a $20/£18 price tag. Starting next week, the Battle Royale game will transition to a free-to-play model to coincide with its launch on PlayStation 5.
In a recent blog post, NetEase elaborates on this decision and answers player questions in a detailed FAQ. The post assures players that all in-game content will be accessible to free players.
Beginning on Thursday, July 13, Naraka: Bladepoint will be completely free to play, removing any financial barrier to entry. NetEase explains that this move is aimed at expanding the player base and introducing the game to a wider audience, as they believe they can achieve this without charging for the game.
The FAQ addresses various concerns regarding the transition. It confirms that free players will have access to all game modes, events, cosmetics, and character customization options.
However, while free players can obtain certain perks and benefits, they will be available at a slower rate compared to paid players. For instance, free players will earn 35 Hero Coins per week, whereas it takes 100 Hero Coins to unlock a new character.
Paid players will have the advantage of accumulating as many Coins as they want, providing them with an edge that free players cannot easily match. Additionally, paid players will receive a head start with 300 Hero Coins (equivalent to three heroes) and will enjoy access to ranks and lobby chat at lower levels compared to free players.
NetEase also shares detailed information about the transition, including the introduction of a new 12 vs. 12 mode, discounts, special unlocks, and a collaboration with popular streamer “Maximilian Dood,” who will be lending his likeness to the game.
These changes will come into effect on July 13. Despite receiving mixed reviews on Steam, Naraka: Bladepoint has attracted a significant player base of around 90,000 and consistently ranks among the top 10 most-played games on the platform. This achievement is particularly impressive given that the game is not often mentioned in the same breath as Fortnite, even though it matches the excitement and quality of the battle royale genre, as noted in PC Game Spotlight’s Tyler Wilde’s review, where he scored the game 73%.
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