Killer Instinct was newly announced as a Xbox One exclusive title to launch alongside the console this November. Double Helix Games also shed some light at this years E3 of the different variations that will be available as well. The trial/demo version of the game will feature one character (Jago) to play with and will allow players to test it out in this fashion. If they are unsure or they want to play a small portion then they can simply purchase additional content and characters but the option to buy the full game whether retail or digital will be available as well.
When questioned Microsoft said that making a full fighting game is expensive with many characters that are actually never used by players, with this model you can purchase the characters you want for the experience you want. Its believed that Microsoft has been looking into this format of distribution for sometime, even before the free-to play Happy Wars that is available for the Xbox 360 today however
Xbox One’s Project Spark is also free-to play in the same way the Killer Instinct will be available. This brings up some questions as to games that are still even in early development as Microsoft has actively told developers that they embrace this model.
Months back Epic Games Vice President Mark Rein had said “The next-gen consoles are going to be fully embracing the free-to-play and these [in-app purchase]-type business models,” during a UK Game Horizon conference. “So in case you don’t know that I’m putting that out there. Sony and Microsoft are both going heavily in that area.”
With more game announcements to start coming out at Gamescon and even X13 later this year it would not be surprising if this new business model were to be done to many games being released within the Xbox One’s first year.