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Five Free-to-Play Games You Should Care About

Maxwell McGee
By: Maxwell McGee, Associate Editor

Free-to-play is moving beyond the cutesy, Korean-based MMORPGs into all sorts of genres and styles. We highlight five of our most anticipated games.

For some, thinking of a free-to-play game conjures up images of adorable, anime-inspired warriors running through the open fields of a massively multiplayer online role-playing game, or an endless wave of pay-to-win items that reward players with the fattest stacks. Well, take heart, because that's not all they can be. The free-to-play scene is primed to E-X-P-L-O-D-E. With free-to-play including everything from first-person shooters to massive online battle arenas to real-time strategy games, more and more developers are recognizing the potential of this market.

Over the past few months, we've seen a lot of interesting up-and-coming games. Five of our favorites that may have passed under your radar have been collected in this little feature. We'll be revealing a new one each day this week. This will happen at 10:30 a.m. Pacific time. And, would you look at that, our first selection is already unveiled. Why not give it a click and check it out!

MONDAY End of Nations

TUESDAY Blacklight: Retribution

WEDNESDAY ???

THURSDAY ???

FRIDAY ???

Maxwell McGee
By: Maxwell McGee, Associate Editor

Maxwell McGee earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Arkansas, and has contributed to The Escapist, GamePro, PC Gamer, and more. His introduction to video games was Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on the Sega Genesis, and he has never looked back. He welcomes your feedback through the site, or Twitter.

68 Comments

  • qioden

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 6:54 pm GMT

    please, can we just again bear in mind this list is for up and coming games? so stop talking about already released game. i think to be on this list there are three criteria, F2P, unreleased, and does not have too much publicity...

    And seriously guys read the article before commenting...

  • naurglin

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 4:28 pm GMT

    Shadowhunter0, how can you say Dust is better than Planetside 2? Have you played PS2 already? Exactly, you haven't, so you can't say Dust is way better.
    By the way, Dust is just one of those 64 players per instance shooters. We've been seeing this for more than a decade now. Time to stop your fanboyism and realize that there might be cooler and better stuff out there than a game doing what's been done for ages.

  • fedejico

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 12:55 pm GMT

    Vindictus is absolutely worth checking out. High-end gear can't be bought from the store in any way, neither can it be maxed out via the store, and paying customers have no real advantage other than more cosmetic options and maybe less cash spent on upgrades - and maybe a little less grind.

  • Deadeye233

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 12:49 pm GMT

    @NodakJo2010 get that wapanese face out of here... for the lulz...

  • kkxtrouble

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 12:23 pm GMT

    Most of you guys are talking about well know FTP games, this article is about games that might slip under the radar. Did you guy read the article?

  • torquefang

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 11:08 am GMT

    Tribes: Ascend is an obvious one. Blacklight Retribution is also a lot of fun(no campers thank god). Bloodline Champions is really fun with friends, and more skill based than LoL will ever be.

  • WhiteLotus01

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 10:38 am GMT

    End of Nations, Firefall, Tribes: Ascend, Dust 514 and PlanetSide 2.

    DOTA 2, if that's f2p (probably will be) is also a good guess.

  • Darkitachi54

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 10:26 am GMT

    I've been playing Mabinogi since 2007, and still play to this day one of the best F2P Mmo's in my opinion.

  • gix47

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 9:36 am GMT

    were is tuesday??huh?mmm?

  • NodakJo2010

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 9:00 am GMT

    Runescape

    for the lulz

  • kkxtrouble

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 8:54 am GMT

    @A4477
    I don't think he's going to put TF2 here, the idea of this article is to show FTP games under the radar.

  • _Judas_

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 8:36 am GMT

    @Maxwell Looking forrward to the next couple of games, Bargains McGee
    And I like the new design touch to these articles/site, where it says at the bottom who's done the article and a little info on that person.

  • A4477

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 7:40 am GMT

    team fortress 2 FTW

  • shadowhunter0

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 6:57 am GMT

    @naurglin planetside 2 is meh compare to dust 514 not saying it is going to be a bad game just dust 514 is way better and yes I have played it was at eve fanfest where it was the first time that people could play dust and it is awesome plus what they have plans for it in the future

  • naurglin

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 6:17 am GMT

    PlanetSide 2 better be on that list! It's the only game I'm able to look forward to since the first rumors about the game spread out!
    Everything else seems so "meh" compared to it!

  • Doomguard3

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 5:31 am GMT

    It fascinates me how many people start commenting without reading the actual article beforehand

  • DredWulf

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 5:04 am GMT

    Mechwarrior Online.

  • Vibesx

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 3:33 am GMT

    Bloodline Champions

  • Malckeor

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 3:29 am GMT

    Tribes: Ascend.

  • shadowhunter0

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 2:57 am GMT

    @Maxwell that means Dust 514 should be on that list it will be the best mmofps shooter out there

    but I know allot of people wont like it because it isn't cod or like cod

  • shadowhunter0

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 2:52 am GMT

    @ZOD777 that isn't true for all f2p games games like Dust 514 will be mainly free only stuff you would have to pay for is to side upgrade but you can still get that stuff without using real money just use game money and buy it from someone who bought it with real money and it isn't pay to win either and that is what you are thinking about

    also in Dust 514 it would take over 7 years to learn every skill in the game and it will also have thousands of maps all for free so yeah there is allot to enjoy in it without spending a dime

  • qioden

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 2:19 am GMT

    if its most anticipated then Legue of Legends wouldnt be on this list... did people actually read the article? this list is about "up-and-coming games"

  • naryanrobinson

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 1:57 am GMT

    I don't LIKE League of Legends but I think it deserves a mention.

    Quake Live should also be up there for sure.

    Also I don't know if mods count but there's more than a few great ones coming out at the minute for C&C3;, HL2, and Amnesia. They're certainly more up-and-coming than some of the others, if that's what your'e looking for.

  • Zverugin

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 1:27 am GMT

    Aha, MechWarrior Online?

  • ZzMurdererzZ

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 1:18 am GMT

    @Vuurk This is for up-and-coming games, so League of Legends will not be on this list.

  • ZOD777

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 12:43 am GMT

    Free to play games are like going to a strip club. You can have a good time once you get in the door, but to really enjoy yourself, you have to fork out some extra cash for a lap dance.

  • QQabitmoar

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 12:42 am GMT

    Shazbot.

  • Vuurk

    Posted Mar 27, 2012 12:38 am GMT

    If they don't mention League of Legends then I'll lose all respect for gamespot.

  • Maxwell GameSpot staff member

    Posted Mar 26, 2012 10:34 pm GMT

    Hey guys, just to clarity: all of the games that will appear on this list are "up-and-coming," meaning they're all newer games. Not saying Heroes of Newerth and World of Tanks aren't great, they're just not in line with the theme.

    @_Judas_ poor APB, that game always had it rough

    @UnRelentingAlly all in good time, all in good time

  • aryanbrar

    Posted Mar 26, 2012 9:54 pm GMT

    @sensesfail99
    you mean combat arms is a great pay to win game.

  • Altares36

    Posted Mar 26, 2012 9:00 pm GMT

    "I bet they forgot Heroes of Newerth. It lives in the shadow of the inferior League of Legends and will probably never get the attention it deserves."

    This man speaks the truth.

  • XxgunsxX

    Posted Mar 26, 2012 8:56 pm GMT

    Aion,dungeons and dragons

  • sensesfail99

    Posted Mar 26, 2012 8:42 pm GMT

    Combat Arms is a great FPS free to play game. very similar to Counter-Strike but with a buttload more guns and gadgets and game modes, tons of maps. Its a great free to play game that ive played for years. And Nexon who makes Combat Arms also makes Vindictus which is also a great free one. love both but favor CA

  • Seifer24

    Posted Mar 26, 2012 8:40 pm GMT

    If lol is in the list then u have a bad taste

  • xSagez

    Posted Mar 26, 2012 8:32 pm GMT

    I bet they forgot Heroes of Newerth. It lives in the shadow of the inferior League of Legends and will probably never get the attention it deserves.

    :/

  • ReadingRainbow4

    Posted Mar 26, 2012 7:33 pm GMT

    path of exile better be on here.

  • Big_bossPT

    Posted Mar 26, 2012 7:18 pm GMT

    hope to see World of Warplanes in this list

  • AntiH3ro97

    Posted Mar 26, 2012 6:55 pm GMT

    @Taix34
    Vindictus is awesome right?! And its not pay2win like most Korean MMOs are

  • shadowhunter0

    Posted Mar 26, 2012 6:25 pm GMT

    most of the game has to be free and paying for stuff doesn't give you an advantage that would be a pay to win game

    if it doesn't follow those 2 items then it isn't f2p it is either p2w game or a trial

    and there isn't many true f2p games that are actually good

  • Scalper

    Posted Mar 26, 2012 6:21 pm GMT

    I got to think TF2 is going to be in there somewhere

  • Taix34

    Posted Mar 26, 2012 6:17 pm GMT

    Why Not Vindictus? Best looking F2P Out there yeah theres alot of grinding but the story is fun

  • Muskeljens

    Posted Mar 26, 2012 5:18 pm GMT

    Planetside 2 and Dust 514. Nuff' said.

  • TheGreatmars

    Posted Mar 26, 2012 5:06 pm GMT

    LoL, ghost recon and mechwarrior is all i care about in the F2P maket

  • paladin125

    Posted Mar 26, 2012 5:05 pm GMT

    Imma bet world of tanks is one of those, and if its not it should be

  • masterdrat

    Posted Mar 26, 2012 4:54 pm GMT

    f2p model is like that old guy who gives candies to little kids in exchange of you know what. full of promises and the last thing you know, you got it up the a**

  • badiie05

    Posted Mar 26, 2012 4:53 pm GMT

    when it is free to play I don't feel like I'm being forced to play, I like this. Makes me feel like I wasted my time doing what I want. That's satisfying. hehe

  • JDCAce55

    Posted Mar 26, 2012 3:54 pm GMT

    I've been beta testing Ghost Recon Online, and I should tell you all to try it out once it hits open beta. It's definitely worth a try, at the very least.

  • _Judas_

    Posted Mar 26, 2012 3:44 pm GMT

    Maxwell McBargains, I wonder if APB will be featured on this list. I spent like 1 hour creating my character, and 15 minutes playing the game :p Awesome character creator though

  • Fundai

    Posted Mar 26, 2012 3:20 pm GMT

    Proof that f2p works? Tribes ascend and tf2.
    nuff said. Looking forward to see what new ones are on the rest of this list.

  • Evtutchenk0

    Posted Mar 26, 2012 3:12 pm GMT

    there's that one from crytek that i don't remember the name XD and MechWarrior!!!!! they will show up here just you wait ; )

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