TL;DR
Towerborne, a side-scrolling action RPG published by Xbox Game Studios that was in early access, will officially launch on February 26th. Instead of releasing as a free-to-play, always-online title, it will be sold as a paid game that supports offline play.
What happened
Towerborne, which has been available in early access, is shifting its business model ahead of a full launch scheduled for February 26th. The game, described as a side-scrolling action RPG and published by Xbox Game Studios, had been planned to ship as a free-to-play, always-online experience. Those plans changed: Microsoft says the title will be released as a paid product that players can run offline. The publisher framed the move as a guarantee that purchasers will "own the complete experience permanently," and offline play will be supported. The announcement replaces the earlier free-to-play, always-on approach with a traditional, one-time purchase model for the final release.
Why it matters
- Players who prefer single-purchase titles and offline access can buy and play without a persistent online connection.
- The shift alters expectations for content ownership versus live-service models associated with free-to-play games.
- It may affect how the game is marketed, priced, and supported post-launch compared with the originally planned always-online model.
- The change highlights ongoing uncertainty around business models for new releases in the action-RPG and indie space.
Key facts
- Towerborne is a side-scrolling action RPG.
- The game has been available in early access prior to the official launch.
- Publisher: Xbox Game Studios.
- Official launch date: February 26th (as stated in the source).
- Originally planned as a free-to-play, always-online title.
- Will now launch as a paid game that supports offline play.
- Microsoft indicated buyers will "own the complete experience permanently."
- The move replaces the free-to-play, always-on plan with a one-time purchase model.
What to watch next
- Pricing and platform availability for the paid release: not confirmed in the source.
- Whether any online or multiplayer features will remain and how they will be handled: not confirmed in the source.
- Developer commentary or postmortem explaining the reason for the model change: not confirmed in the source.
- Critical and player reception at launch, and how sales compare to expectations: not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Early access: A distribution model that lets players buy and play a game while it is still in development, often providing feedback to the developers.
- Free-to-play: A business model where the base game is available at no cost, with revenue typically generated through in-game purchases or microtransactions.
- Always-online: A requirement that a game maintain a constant internet connection to access gameplay, even for single-player experiences.
- Offline play: The ability to play a game without an internet connection; content is accessible locally on the player's device.
- Publisher: The company responsible for financing, marketing, and distributing a game; in this case, Xbox Game Studios is the publisher named in the source.
Reader FAQ
When does Towerborne officially launch?
The source states the official launch date is February 26th.
Will Towerborne be free-to-play?
No. The game was originally planned as free-to-play but will now be released as a paid title.
Can Towerborne be played offline?
Yes. The publisher says the game will support offline play.
Who developed Towerborne?
Not confirmed in the source.
How much will Towerborne cost at launch?
Not confirmed in the source.
Towerborne, a side-scrolling action RPG published by Xbox Game Studios that has been available in early access, will officially launch on February 26th. But instead of launching as a free-to-play,…
Sources
- Xbox’s Towerborne is switching from a free-to-play game to a paid one
- Towerborne comes out of Early Access on February 26 on Xbox, PC, and …
- Xbox-Published Game Towerborne Ditches Free-To-Play …
- Xbox Action RPG Towerborne Totally Reworked for PS5 …
Related posts
- Pioneer Sphera brings Dolby Atmos audio to mainstream aftermarket drivers
- Geofence-driven social app, six years in development, aiming for 2026
- SQL Studio — Fast, Elegant SQL Client by a Single Developer for Analysts