Person wearing headphones while playing on their laptop

Are free-to-play games really free?

Free-to-play (F2P) video games are games that offer users free access to a considerable part of the game world.

However, these types of games have the optional in-game purchases that help players gain a competitive advantage or power advantage over their rivals.

Man playing on his computer

What are free-to-play games?

F2P games focus on players’ willingness to buy virtual items or pay for access to new content after trying the game for free and learning its mechanics.

Two men sitting on the couch and playing videogames together

When you buy access to new locations, heroes or levels in the game world, game creators are able to create multiple projects on the same platform and then expand these versions, which translates into generating in-game purchases and profits for the producers.

Free-to-play games are the opposite of the paid game model: pay-to-play (P2P). In this case, you pay for the game in advance, for which you gain access to all content, the use of which depends only on your skills and the amount of time devoted to the game.

Video game producers are still working on optimising the F2P model. Some gaming companies offer both free and paid versions of the same game, although many projects were created specifically with the free-to-play model in mind.

Which free-to-play games are currently the most popular?

According to gaming portals and video game reviews sites such as Metacritic, the following titles are currently particularly popular:

1. Fortnite

The successor to PUBG: Battlegrounds, Fortnite: Battle Royale is a free-to-play multiplayer shooter game with a zombie defence storyline, produced by Epic Games. The goal of Fortnite: Battle Royale is to eliminate all other players and remain the last person standing.

2. Call of Duty®: Warzone 2.0

Call of Duty is a popular FPS (first-person shooter) video game known mainly for its multiplayer modes. The fight becomes truly global as The Call of Duty®: Warzone takes place in Vondel, a bustling European metropolis with plenty of urban nooks and crannies to explore.

3. Halo Infinite

Halo Infinite by Microsoft is a first-person shooter game, similar to other titles in the series. The new Halo instalment is Master Chief’s biggest campaign yet and a groundbreaking free-to-play multiplayer experience. To play the full campaign, you will need a Game Pass subscription or the paid version of Halo Infinite. You can still enjoy the game completely free as part of the multiplayer component on desktop and all Xbox platforms.

4. Marvel Snap

An extremely fast card game in which you collect cards and build a deck of favorite heroes and villains from the Marvel universe while fighting opponents. It may seem very simple at first, but mastery of the game is all about creating the strongest deck possible.

5. Dota 2

A MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) game. In Dota 2, all 119 heroes are available for free, including the brawl-loving Earth Spirit and the elf-like Invoker from the Warcraft franchise. An interesting fact is that the Dota 2 world championship - The International - is held every year, during which players fight for multi-million prizes.

Sci-fi astronaut character observing the planet he has landed on
PaysafeCard voucher and mobile phone with PaysafeCard description

How to use PaysafeCard to make purchases in F2P games?

Purchasing virtual in-game items, such as skins or access to characters or locations, can make your gaming experience even more exciting. A convenient way to make such purchases is to use PaysafeCard, which is supported by both the Microsoft Store and PlayStation Store.

Buy PaysafeCard codes anytime, anywhere – in stationary stores or online. Just log in to your PaysafeCard account.

With F2P games, players can download the software and play for free, making F2P accessible to a large audience. At the same time, F2P games offer the option of in-game purchases which translates into a better gaming experience.

Unleash your gaming potential with PaysafeCard and pay quickly and easily online. Buy add-ons, accessories and virtual items using your PaysafeCard code, which you can purchase at a nearby store or online from within your mypaysafe account.

See stores near you