Throughout its development and even after it’s release, Atlas Reactor is a game that always had its consumers in mind. This is especially true when it comes to its business model. Initially, the developer Trion planned it to be free to play, but after the success of Overwatch, decided that a similar model would be better. Alpha/beta testers received a discounted rate. In an effort to ensure that all players were on equal footing after purchasing the game, they made sure that they only other items players could buy were cosmetic, so as to address any accusations of creating a pay-to-win game where success can only be achieved by purchasing it.
As the game moved closer to release, it was clear that that business model could not generate the number of concurrent users Trion wanted. So, they created a limited free to play program where players who had already bought in or those who had intended to do so could still have access to the entire game. Meanwhile, absolutely anyone who wanted to play the game could have access to a rotating pool of Freelancers. While the Freelancing players had access to PvP games, they were not ranked. Additionally, they could only open the loot boxes that contain items such as skins and taunts only once every 36 hours, but could still purchase these items using in-game currency earned from playing games.
Free to All
Now, Trion has created a mix of both where the game is entirely free to all. This is interesting to me because it shows that they were listening particularly to the players who weren’t investing a dime in it. “One of the best things about this community is how vocal they are about wanting Atlas Reactor to succeed. They always talk about it in such a positive way,” said Joe “TheBlueMuzzy” Brogno, community developer of Atlas Reactor. “We regularly take into consideration what the community has to say when moving forward, and that’s exemplified by our evolution to fully free to play.”
With a new currency called Flux that players can use to unlock Freelancers, every player can create their own roster with exactly the characters they want, without having to pay for the characters they don’t. As Season 2 begins, all players can participate in ranked play if they own 10 freelancers and have played 50 PvP games. Moreover, players who have already bought the game will receive a massive reward pack consisting of 50,000 Flux, 5,000 ISO, as well as an assortment of loot boxes and other cosmetics.
Scott “Mobi” Jasper, Manager of Social Influence for Trion, was particularly excited about their final decision on a business model: “To me, it’s a win-win for everyone. Making freelancers, mod tokens, Master skins more accessible to all players and giving them another way to unlock things. As a player that has bought the game you will continue to get all freelancers forever, and I especially like the new experience bonuses based on the number of freelancers you own.”
Season 2 Rebalance
Season 2 also includes a rebalancing of many characters. Specifically, those with piercing abilities (such as Titus’s Dagger or Rampart’s Skewer ability) face having their damage to the second target reduced by half. Several support characters will be rebalanced as well (Helio) with many abilities having their damage be reduced while improving their overall survivability. Finally, Trion is adding Brynn The Sky Warden to the lineup of freelancers, wielding her lance and shield in the name of the fallen Warbotics Trust.
If joining one of The Imperium’s Atlas Reactor squads for competitive play interest you, please contact Gommel Nox to join the North American group or Asher “not Asher Elias” Blackwell to join the European team.
