Driftborn, the still-in-development creature racing game, has announced they will not be pursuing the free-to-play model after launch.
Driftborn caught the attention of players for its fascinating creature designs. One of these, the Haddix became quite popular and beloved for its cat-horse design, leaning into a more predatory equine aesthetic.
Since its announcement, players have been eager to get their hands on it, but the free-to-play model raised a few concerns. This model is often utilised by mobile games to ensure a steady flow of income. Although the model sounds player-friendly, it often devolves into a cosmetic shop with some gameplay as companies churn out items for players to purchase. Pay-to-win and predatory microtransactions also often go hand-in-hand with the free-to-play model.
Due to player push back Driftborn announced on June 21, 2026, that due to the difficulties of running a free-to-play model and the inherent distrust this creates within players, they decided to step away from the model and instead will be charging a flat fee of €14.99 once the game is fully released.
Overall, the reaction has been very positive, with many players praising the switch in direction and feeling more secure in supporting the game in future.
Driftborn has no set a release date yet, but the developers are still working on the project.
Check out Driftborn here!