Epic Games is examining the strategy used by Riot in LoL

Jul 14, 2014 09:40 GMT  ·  By

Fortnite, the upcoming shooter from Epic Games, looks towards other popular free-to-play experiences, like League of Legends, in terms of microtransactions or Player-versus-Player competitive multiplayer.

Fortnite was revealed by Epic Games many years ago, but only recently did the studio actually start showing footage from the shooter and details about its gameplay.

The online experience will be completely free-to-play, according to Epic, and emphasizes not just shooter skills but also survival and crafting ones, as players need to scavenge for supplies and build their own forts that must be defended against the rampaging hordes of monsters.

However, the studio still hasn't talked about the different microtransactions that are certain to be inside the game and how they will affect the regular free experience.

According to Epic's Roger Collum, who talked with RPS, the studio is examining the strategy of Riot Games, the studio behind the massively successful League of Legends MOBA experience.

"Looking to League of Legends as a model for good free-to-play is definitely not a bad thing. I mean, League has a huge audience, and we’re espousing that we’re not pay-to-win. League is definitely not pay-to-win. So there’s that."

Collum also emphasizes that players who don't pay money aren't undesirable, as they serve to solidify the community and ensure that there are people whom you can play with or against, depending on the mode.

"Also, if you don’t have a large number of people playing for free, then the paying people won’t have anybody to play against, right? You need people to fill worlds. That adds value to the game. We’ve looked at League as a model for possible PVP stuff. Don’t have anything nailed down, though."

Talking about the free-to-play philosophy, Collum says that he wants players who invest time and those who invest money to have basically the same experience. He once again exemplifies with League of Legends, saying that players can have fun without spending any cash.

"The free experience we envision is one we feel like, if they invest the time, they’re getting the same experience as someone who’s spending money. Using League of Legends as an example, I know people who spend a ton of money on it, and I know people who don’t spend a cent. The people who don’t spend anything still have a great time. They can try out classes and still fully experience what a MOBA is."

Considering Epic Games doesn't even know when the alpha stage for Fortnite might kick off, don't expect the studio to share any more specific details about microtransactions and the shooter's free-to-play nature anytime soon.