# Freemium Video Games Team Fortress 2: Triple-A Goes Free-to-Play By Omar Yusuf | Published 2011-06-26 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/team-fortress-2-triple-a-goes-free-to-play References: [develop-online.net](http://www.develop-online.net/news/38103/Team-Fortress-2-becomes-free-forever) & [teamfortress](http://www.teamfortress.com/freetoplay/faq.php) For several years now, Team Fortress 2 has been a creative venue for the developers at [Valve](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/steam-families), allowing the game designers to steadily introduce risky, yet promising ideas. The company’s enterprising philosophy has helped comfortably introduce gamers to microtransactions, cosmetic updates and an unconventional art style. Once packaged alongside industry giants like Half-Life 2 and Portal, the class-based shooter has undergone profound changes, boasting more than 200 updates since its October 2007 release. But today’s patch should be considered the most radical: by adopting a [free-to-play model](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-division-2-survivors), PC and [Mac](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/USB-C-docking-hub) gamers can enjoy the entire Team Fortress experience without ever having to pay. What makes Valve’s departure from the traditional pay-to-play model even more intriguing is the company’s financial state: it’s doing great! Normally, in the gaming industry, developers offer their game *gratis* as a last resort -- a final plea to gamers who have otherwise ignored the title. Team Fortress 2, which boasts a player base in the millions, is clearly a successful property, so why is it suddenly free? One word: Microtransactions. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.0/10 - Popularity: 13% | Activity: 39% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/games) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Microtransactions in Video Games:** Opportunity for game developers to increase revenue by implementing microtransactions in free-to-play games. - **Shift Towards Free-to-play Model:** Potential for game developers to attract and retain a larger player base by offering games for free and generating revenue through in-game purchases. - **Continuous Updates and Evolution of Games:** Disruptive innovation potential for game developers to continuously update and evolve their games, keeping players engaged and interested over a longer period of time. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Video Game Development:** Opportunity for video game developers to capitalize on the shift towards microtransactions and free-to-play models to enhance revenue and reach a larger audience. - **Online Gaming:** Opportunity for online gaming platforms to attract and retain players by offering a wide range of free-to-play games with appealing microtransaction options. - **Digital Entertainment:** Disruptive innovation potential for the digital entertainment industry to explore new revenue models by integrating microtransactions and free-to-play models in their offerings. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Free-To-Play Skater Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skate-4.md) - [Free-to-Play Battle Royale Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fall-guys.md) - [Family Game-Sharing Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/steam-families.md) - [Free Mashup Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dungeon-of-the-endless.md) - [Approachable Incremental Game Updates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/idle-miner-tycoon.md) - [Independent Shooter Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/battlebit-remastered.md) - [Hero-Based Team Shooters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xdefiant.md) - [Ad-Supported Gaming Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playmanity.md) - [Legacy Role-Playing Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/guild-wars-2.md)