Rocket League, The Sims 4 and PUBG: Paid PC Games That Went Free-to-Play
Some of the biggest PC games once cost money up front. Here is how Rocket League, The Sims 4 and PUBG: Battlegrounds made the switch to free-to-play – and what you get today.
Not every free-to-play game was designed that way from the start. Several of the most popular games on PC launched as paid products and switched to a free model years later. For players, that means a library of polished, content-rich games that now cost nothing to start.
Here are three of the best-known examples and what the switch means for you today.
Rocket League
Psyonix released Rocket League on July 7, 2015. Its mix of soccer and rocket-powered cars turned it into one of the defining competitive games of the decade.
The game became free to play on September 23, 2020. At the same time, the PC version moved to the Epic Games Store for new players. Players who already owned it on Steam kept access, but new PC players download it through Epic.
What you get for free: the full game, including online and competitive playlists. Spending is limited to cosmetics and optional season passes.
Learn more about Rocket League
The Sims 4
The Sims 4 launched on September 2, 2014 as a full-price game. On October 18, 2022, Electronic Arts made the base game free for everyone.
The switch did not make every pack free. Expansion packs, game packs and kits are still sold separately. The base game, however, includes the core of the experience: Create a Sim, Build Mode and the everyday life simulation the series is known for.
What you get for free: the complete base game on PC. Packs remain optional purchases.
PUBG: Battlegrounds
PUBG popularized the modern battle royale formula during its early access period in 2017 and fully launched on PC on December 20, 2017. It remained a paid game for years.
On January 12, 2022, KRAFTON switched the game to free to play. Players who owned the game before the switch received a bonus package, and a paid upgrade became available for those who want extra features.
What you get for free: the core battle royale experience across solo, duo and squad modes.
Learn more about PUBG: Battlegrounds
Why games make the switch
When a game moves to free-to-play, it is usually trying to grow its player base. More players means shorter matchmaking times, a bigger audience for new content and more potential buyers of optional items.
For players, the trade-off is usually simple: the full game is free, but monetization shifts to cosmetics, passes or add-ons. In the three examples above, the core gameplay is available without paying.
More free games on PC
Looking for more? Our Free Games page lists limited-time giveaways you can keep, plus a curated catalogue of free-to-play PC games you can filter by genre.
