Tribes: Ascend to add "single purchase" option

Just as we're all getting used to free-to-play as a payment model, Hi-Rez announce that they're using Tribes: Ascend to trial an entirely new way of purchasing digital entertainment. It's called "buying a game with some money". It'll never catch on.

Hi-Rez's Todd Harris made the announcement on their forum . From February 15, players will be able to buy a Single Purchase Edition of the high-speed online FPS. "This package will unlock all classes, all weapons, and all perks in the current game; everything except the non gameplay affecting items like cosmetics."

"If you enjoy the game as free-to-play, nothing changes," says Harris, noting that all future maps will remain free.

"We'll price it in the ballpark of other PC multiplayer shooters," he adds. "And if you are a Tribes VIP we'll give an additional discount."

Will the prospect of a one-time payment tempt you into spending some money on the game?

Thanks, Gamasutra .

Phil has been writing for PC Gamer for nearly a decade, starting out as a freelance writer covering everything from free games to MMOs. He eventually joined full-time as a news writer, before moving to the magazine to review immersive sims, RPGs and Hitman games. Now he leads PC Gamer's UK team, but still sometimes finds the time to write about his ongoing obsessions with Destiny 2, GTA Online and Apex Legends. When he's not levelling up battle passes, he's checking out the latest tactics game or dipping back into Guild Wars 2. He's largely responsible for the whole Tub Geralt thing, but still isn't sorry.