Blizzard is exploring its options for StarCraft II as business models change for the PC gaming industry. With the rise of free-to-play experiences, and the company directly competing with these types of business models, Blizzard has been exploring the possibility of StarCraft II being a free-to-play title in the future.
A recent e-Sport Conference, Dustin Browder of Blizzard explained that this is definitely something that the company has been talking about for the real time strategy title.
“That’s definitely an option for us at some point down the road. I don’t think there’s any reason why we wouldn’t, except to make sure we do it properly, that we don’t make any mistakes, and that we are supporting the fans the way we’re supposed to.”
A strategy title like StarCraft II could see balance issues as a result of a free-to-play model, according to Browder. However, Blizzard has been experimenting with a number of different business models for StarCraft II. Here in North America, the company gives away a trial of the game for free. In other markets, Blizzard asks for subscription fees for monthly access to the game.
It doesn’t look like Free to Play will be happening any time soon for StarCraft II. Blizzard has a big expansion on deck for the game, with Heart of the Swarm closing in on a release date.
