Skip to main content

MOBA-like shooter 'Battleborn' is now effectively free-to-play

Battleborn: Free Trial Launch Trailer
Gearbox Software’s Battleborn, a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA)-like shooter, released last year to remarkably little fanfare as it was overshadowed by Overwatch. But you’ll now be able to play it without spending a dime, as it is effectively going free-to-play.

The “Battleborn free trial” isn’t really a trial at all. All players can now get access to the game’s entire collection of maps and modes for free. There’s no time limit — the program is now available on consoles and PC, so you can go play it right now.

As of now, there are four different modes in Battleborn, with a fifth, “Supercharge,” arriving on June 22. Like the others, it will be completely free.

Similarly to other free-to-play games like Killer Instinct, free trial players will be limited to just a few characters. Six will be available at any given time, and they’ll be rotated out each week to make way for new ones. If you find that there’s a certain character you like, you still don’t necessarily have to pay cash, as they’ll be available through in-game currency. For those who want them immediately, they can also be purchased with real money, and a season pass is available to unlock the last four characters.

The Battleborn free trial will not give players access to the game’s story missions. These can be purchased separately through the game’s marketplace, as can additional customization options for heroes. The full game is also available through digital storefronts, but it’s still being sold for $30. We highly recommend checking out your local stores for a physical copy, as they’re readily available for a fraction of that price. Those who already own particular pieces of content when they purchase the full game will be awarded bonus credits. Battleborn players who started the game prior to June 6 will also be rewarded with addition credits, skins, loot packs, and cosmetic “flair” items.

Gabe Gurwin
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…
What’s free on the Epic Games Store right now?
A Steam Punk circus.

Checking in on the Epic Games Store is one of the easiest ways to grow your gaming library. Epic gives out a free game or two every week, ranging from darling indies to AAA titles. All you have to do is jump on the Epic Games Store to claim the free games and they'll be added to your library to keep forever.

Keeping track of all the free titles and gaming deals can be a pain, so we're monitoring the Epic Games Store for you. We'll update this article every time a new game is made available!
What's free on the Epic Games Store right now?
These games can be picked up on the Epic Games store right now for free. Scroll down to the Free Games section of the app's Discover tab or find the individual title using the search bar. Just find and select the Get button to claim your free game. You do not have to download or install it right away.

Read more
I was a PlayStation Portal hater. Now it’s one of my go-to gaming devices
A PlayStation Portal plays Marvel's Spider-Man 2.

In November, I reviewed the PlayStation Portal. I was mixed on Sony’s streaming handheld at the time, frustrated with a corner-cutting execution of a good idea. It seemed like a poor value compared to simply slapping a cheaper Backbone controller on a phone. As is often the case with tech reviews, though, I only had a short window to test it out where I was more focused on the more objective side of what the Portal does and doesn’t do. Would my feelings change when I was using it naturally?

I’ve gotten the answer to that question over the past few months. While I barely touched my Portal after reviewing it in 2023, it’s quickly become a go-to device in my home as of January. I’m now breaking it out at least once a week, finding some practical use cases for it. Though my overall assessment of it hasn’t changed, I have a more tangible understanding of where it can be a useful -- if superfluous -- PS5 companion. It’s a needless luxury, but one that I’m finding that I'm happy to indulge in.
Second screen
The PlayStation Portal’s launch just so happened to come right before a major life change that would shift my perspective. After living alone for three years, my girlfriend moved into my apartment last December. It’s been a natural change that’s working great so far. That shift does come with some lifestyle changes, though. We’re both crammed into a one-bedroom apartment, which means we’re sharing a tight space. We remotely do our jobs feet apart in the same room, and most evenings are spent lounging on the couch.

Read more
Silent Hill 2 still doesn’t have a release date, but you can play a free spinoff game now
Anita stands in a hallway full of post-it notes in Silent Hill: The Lost Message.

We got a new trailer for Bloober Team's long-awaited Silent Hill 2 remake during today's PlayStation State of Play stream, which highlighted the horror game's reworked combat. While it still doesn't have a release date, publisher Konami did reveal an entirely new spinoff, Silent Hill: The Short Message, which is available now.

The announcement trailer for the entirely new Silent Hill game, which is officially available and free of play on the PlayStation 5 as of this exact moment, depicts the series' notoriously creepy visuals and a storyline involving a woman named Maya contacting the protagonist, Anita, on a smartphone as the player is drawn deeper into The Short Message's dreary, graffiti-covered, and extremely haunted apartment complex.

Read more