Although it may have arrived a bit late to the free-to-play (F2P) trend, the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) recently published a parent’s guide explaining the mechanics of free-to-play business models. While this topic is familiar to most MMORPG enthusiasts, the guide provides a helpful overview of F2P within the broader video game industry.
“Nothing in life is truly free, and video games are no exception,” the guide explains. “If you come across a free-to-play game, chances are it’s a freemium experience supported by in-game purchases.”
The guide further distinguishes between “free” and “free-to-play,” highlighting that the latter often includes microtransactions, battle passes, lockboxes, gacha mechanics, and paywalls. “Luckily, most storefronts require games to disclose the probabilities of items obtainable through loot boxes. This information can be found in the app, on the game’s product page, or on an official website,” the guide adds.
The ESRB also notes that it labels games with F2P purchases on the full rating information page for each title.
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