Tim Sweeney speaks on the free GoW content, Annex

Game developer and founder of Epic Games, Tim Sweeney, has spoken up regarding the new content for Gears of War and the fact that it’s slated to be released at no charge to gamers. Microsoft “has been pushing back on” Epic Games regarding the release of its content for free. Apparently, Microsoft actually wants Epic to charge for their content.

Sweeney attributes this to the fact that “TheyÂ’re [Microsoft] trying to build this business model around selling additional content for games.” Though he stated that this is a good plan, he defended Epic’s stand on releasing the new content for free.

I mean there are a lot of good business reasons for releasing free content for a game. First of all you want to increase the player base and keep the game alive and the business reason, right now trade-ins of console games are a big issue. If people hold on to our game longer, or forever because we release more stuff over a time for free than thatÂ’s a good business incentive for us.

He mentioned that they have yet to find a compromise between their marketing strategy and Microsoft’s. Well, Sweeney assured that Annex will be free, although they have yet to announce a release date since it’s still being certified.

Game developer and founder of Epic Games, Tim Sweeney, has spoken up regarding the new content for Gears of War and the fact that it’s slated to be released at no charge to gamers. Microsoft “has been pushing back on” Epic Games regarding the release of its content for free. Apparently, Microsoft actually wants Epic to charge for their content.

Sweeney attributes this to the fact that “TheyÂ’re [Microsoft] trying to build this business model around selling additional content for games.” Though he stated that this is a good plan, he defended Epic’s stand on releasing the new content for free.

I mean there are a lot of good business reasons for releasing free content for a game. First of all you want to increase the player base and keep the game alive and the business reason, right now trade-ins of console games are a big issue. If people hold on to our game longer, or forever because we release more stuff over a time for free than thatÂ’s a good business incentive for us.

He mentioned that they have yet to find a compromise between their marketing strategy and Microsoft’s. Well, Sweeney assured that Annex will be free, although they have yet to announce a release date since it’s still being certified.