Square Enix’s Foamstars Is Going Free-to-Play From October 4 Due to Reduced Player Counts

Foamstars, the vibrant 4v4 multiplayer shooter developed by Toylogic and published by Square Enix, is transitioning to a free-to-play model on October 4, 2024. Initially released in February, the game has struggled to gain traction despite Toylogic’s reputation for remastering Nier Replicant in 2021 and Square Enix’s well-established brand.

Get ready for the biggest bubble bash Bath Vegas has ever seen: #FOAMSTARS will be free-to-play starting on October 4 at 1:00AM (UTC)!

🫧 Check out the details here: https://t.co/NF74vJDrwH pic.twitter.com/mPX1yteWIN

— FOAMSTARS (@foamstarsgame) August 27, 2024

For example, the pricing of Foamstars was the primary concern hindering its success as it found itself in a competitive market dominated by free-to-play titles like Apex Legends and Fortnite. Priced at $29.99 and requiring a PlayStation Plus membership, the cost barrier made it difficult for the game to attract a large player base.

Besides, the game offers little to distinguish itself from its competitors, resulting in a drop in player count and middling reviews.

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Foamstars Free-to-Play Transition

Thus, recognising the need for a course correction, Square Enix has decided to make Foamstars free-to-play, effective October 4. This transition will also remove the PlayStation Plus requirement, making the game accessible to all PS4 and PS5 owners.

To acknowledge the support of players who purchased the game before the free-to-play transition, Square Enix is offering a “Legacy Gift.” Listed are the exclusive in-game items:

• 12 exclusive colour-variant Bubble Beastie skins
• An exclusive Slide Board design
• 1 title: “Legacy”

As of yet, Square Enix has not provided a detailed explanation for this sudden change. However, it aligns with the company’s broader strategy of cost-cutting and monetising existing products more effectively. This approach is evident in other recent decisions, such as bringing the Kingdom Hearts franchise to Steam and ending its exclusivity with Epic Games.

Expectations of Foamstars Moving Forward

While there is no official confirmation, Foamstar’s move to free-to-play clearly aims to revitalise the game and attract a broader audience. For example, Square Enix’s blog post announcing the change emphasises that the game is “currently available on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4,” though it leaves the possibility of future platform expansions open.

Given the company’s recent struggles, including underwhelming performances from Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Final Fantasy 16, expanding Foamstars to additional platforms could be a logical next step in their quest for an increased player base. In addition, Square Enix seems committed to finding a stable player base for Foamstars, which may lead to more frequent updates, new content, and improvements based on player feedback.

However, if the free-to-play transition fails to draw in an increased player count, Foamstars could end up in the same unfortunate category as other struggling titles like Synced and Babylon’s Fall.

Square Enix’s Desperate Struggle Continues

As a matter of fact, Foamstars is just one part of a broader restructuring effort by Square Enix, which is currently navigating a rough period marked by disappointing sales and layoffs. The company has announced plans to aggressively pursue a multiplatform strategy, with future releases targeting not just PlayStation but also Nintendo, Xbox, and PC platforms.

According to insights, this shift intends to mitigate the financial impact of recent missteps and ensure broader accessibility for their games. By removing the barriers to entry and potentially expanding to more platforms, Square Enix hopes to breathe new life into Foamstars and many of its other games to capture the attention of players who were previously hesitant to invest.

The upcoming months will be crucial whether this strategy pays off or if Foamstars will fade into obscurity like some of Square Enix’s other recent projects.

Closing Notes

As the game enters this new phase, its developers and players will be watching closely to see if Foamstars can carve out a niche in the competitive landscape of online shooters.

The free-to-play model may just be the boost it needs, but only time will tell if it’s enough to secure Foamstars a lasting place in the gaming community.

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