Microsoft announces Project Spark is going completely free, saying
all DLC for the game is now unlocked for everyone, and they will immediately
"pivot" from creating more DLC to encouraging more user-created content. Here's
word on the change, and how some can get refunds for previous purchases:
On October 5, Project Spark will be rolling out its biggest update and
platform change. This update overhauls many Project Spark systems and areas. The
biggest change is a shift from a free-to-play model to a free and open creation
platform. What does that mean? This will automatically unlock previously paid
downloadable content for new and existing Project Spark users. Microsoft will
pivot from producing DLC and active feature development to encouraging more user
generated content and opening the Project Spark experience.
Project Spark’s goal has always been to empower creativity. We’ve been an
incubation engine for ideas from epic to artistic and we plan to continue doing
so. Project Spark inspires and empowers over 200,000 creators who have shared
tens of millions of custom objects, behaviors and experiences. Every day we see
anywhere between 300 and 400 new games being uploaded on our platform. Our
support of these creators and our communications with them will continue in an
open, free and collaborative environment.
In light of these changes to a fully free model, all players who have purchased
Project Spark digital content on or after July 28, 2015, purchased a retail disc
and activated it by product key redemption on or after July 28, 2015 or have a
remainder balance of purchased in-game tokens will be entitled to Microsoft
Store credit equivalent to their money spent. Microsoft Store credits will be
awarded automatically to all users within 30-60 days after October 5. If you
have additional concerns, we have a full FAQ on our refund process.
Additionally, today’s released content packs are our last planned DLC. With a
total of 46 released packs and 2,000+ assets, we feel like we’ve gotten to a
good place with our content offers for creators. This also means that we will no
longer create episodic adventures, including future Conker’s Big Reunion
episodic content. We’ll leave it up to you to continue his story in whatever
ways you want, and we can’t wait to see what you create!