Killer Instinct is free to play on Xbox One at launch

http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/11/killer-instinct-is-a-fun-free-to-play-xbox-one-launch-game

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Killer Instinct was always sort of dumb -- the goofy Mortal Kombat knock-off with a skeleton, a dinosaur, and dudes named TJ Combo (ugh) and Fulgore (what?). In hindsight, Killer Instinct was kind of embarrassing. But we still connected to it. Who doesn’t want to see a ninja fist-fight a werewolf?

Killer Instinct on Xbox One is still really, really stupid. It’s also pretty awesome.

More Street Fighter IV than traditional Killer Instinct in speed and style, this reboot isn’t just looking at how it can bring Rare’s classic back to life, but how it can reinvigorate it. The 2D fighter has changed significantly since 1994, and developer Double Helix recognizes it.

Killer Instinct is fast on Xbox One, unrecognizably so. Aside from the presence of Sabrewulf (ugh) and Jago (what?), you might mistake this for an entirely new game. The bright colors, and thick, black outlines give the characters, who take up a healthy amount of on-screen real estate, a comic book-style shade. Their combos are quick and flow naturally -- I found myself slipping into an awesome combo accidentally, Marvel vs. Capcom style, often.

The move sets are simple, the stylish and devastating Ultra Combos are easy to execute, and the Combo Breaker makes you feel like a badass. It’s basically just a parry with a fancy name, but Killer Instinct regards it so highly that it’s hard not to feel the surge of satisfaction every time you escape an onslaught of frightening kicks. Every big counter feels like an event, and it can totally change the flow of a fight when your opponent's left exposed after your escape.

Familiar, yes, but this is definitely Killer Instinct done differently (and arguably better).

Killer Instinct is a day-one digital-only release on Xbox One, and features -- get this -- one character. Jago is free to play on launch day. Everyone else -- unspecified returning characters as well as original fighters -- will cost money. Price is to-be-determined (of course).

Is this the start of a new trend? With Xbox Live Arcade vanishing into the greater Games Marketplace, perhaps free-to-play is the new trial version, and you'll nickel and dime your way to a more complete version. Hopefully trials of some sort will still mandated so players can try out everything as it hits Xbox Live.

IGN will have more on Killer Instinct leading up to its November release.

Includes only 1 CHARACTER! The rest are DLC and you need to pay money to MS for them.

I imagine there will be a "Buy All" option, though I find it sad that there won't be a Killer Cuts 3. : (((

I do think F2P is a great way to allow new players into any game. Granted, there is only one character (BasedJago), but players may buy all of the characters when they believe that they would want to play this game for some time.

Xbox One just lost me.

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Developed by: Double Helix

Looks like not only do you have to buy characters (which fucking negates F2P, CALL IT A DEMO YOU FUCKS), but it was outsourced to a mediocre dev.

I'm okay with this. You can save money.

http://www.gamespot.com/e3/killer-instinct-is-free-to-play-6409773/

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"Fighting games are big and expensive and they can be complicated. It's very hard to get good at a number of characters," the producer said. "You generally gravitate towards one or two or three or four at the most. We want players to be able to experience the game that way. Just buy the characters you want or buy them all and we'll give you a discount on that."

http://www.eventhubs.com/news/2013/jun/11/killer-instinct-free-play-was-misconception-glacius-be-fully-playable-evo-2013-and-40-training-lessons/#comments

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During the GameSpot E3 2013 stage event a few of the game developers from Double Helix Games were on stage to discuss their newly announced title Killer Instinct.

In particular a few rather important notes were made, the first thing mentioned was that there was a small misconception with the game being free-to-play. While the game is a launch title for the Xbox One, fans will be able to purchase the full game on it's release. There will also be a demo which comes with Jago as playable character where you can play all of the game's modes including online mutliplayer.

If you decided after playing the demo that you liked the game, you can selectively purchase packages which feature various characters.

Yesterday, during the announcement trailer Double Helix also showed off the character Glacius. It was confirmed that he would be fully playable during EVO 2013.

The last thing that was talked about was the game's 40 training lessons to try and teach players how to learn the game.

thebigmike1983 wrote:

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Developed by: Double Helix

Looks like not only do you have to buy characters (which fucking negates F2P, CALL IT A DEMO YOU FUCKS), but it was outsourced to a mediocre dev.

Yeah, especially considaring they Made Green Lanturn: Rise of the Manhunters and Battleship: The Movie: The Game.

thebigmike1983 wrote:

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Developed by: Double Helix

Looks like not only do you have to buy characters (which fucking negates F2P, CALL IT A DEMO YOU FUCKS), but it was outsourced to a mediocre dev.

Well, at least they are co-developing it. Rare is helping out.

^^^

keep telling yourself its not going to be shit.