Project Spark Transitioning to Free Incubation Engine Beginning Today

Written by Brandon Hofer on October 05, 2015

News: Microsoft has revealed that all Project Spark content is going to be free from now on and there will be no more official DLC released.

Today Project Spark is rolling out the biggest update and platform change it has ever done. This update overhauls many Project Spark systems and areas. The biggest change is a shift from a free-to-play model to a free and open creation platform. This will automatically unlock previously paid downloadable content for new and existing Project Spark users. Microsoft will pivot from producing DLC and active feature development to encouraging more user generated content and opening the Project Spark experience.

Project Spark has over 200,000 creators who have shared tens of millions of custom objects, behaviors and experiences. Every day there is anywhere between 300 and 400 new games being uploaded to the platform.

In light of these changes to a fully free model, all players who have purchased Project Spark digital content on or after July 28, 2015, purchased a retail disc and activated it by product key redemption on or after July 28, 2015 or have a remainder balance of purchased in-game tokens will be entitled to Microsoft Store credit equivalent to their money spent. Microsoft Store credits will be awarded automatically to all users within 30-60 days after October 5.

Additionally, today's released content packs are the last planned DLC. There are a total of 46 released packs and 2,000+ assets. This also means there will no longer be new episodic adventures, including future Conker's Big Reunion episodic content. They want to leave it up to the community to continue Conker’s story in whatever ways you want.

Alongside these larger changes, Project Spark will roll out a number of different content, updates and features to further unlock and amplify your experience. The new Project Spark Title Update, arriving on October 5, will include features like:

The maximum terrain limit in creations has been further doubled

The maximum prop limit in creations has been increased by 500

200+ new assets will be added in game, including a dragon, goblin warlord, bog biome and a set of new primitive building blocks

Each creator will now have a total of 100 Upload Slots for their creations

UGC ranking will be based on downloads and favorites, instead of upvote/downvote ratings

The Project Spark Marketplace has been removed

The Project Spark Tour and Treasure Trove have been removed

Achievements have been revamped for players and creators

What do you think about these changes? Have you been a big Project Spark user? Now that everything is free, will you use it even more? Tell us what you think below.