Skip to main content

Xbox One game-creation toolkit Project Spark goes fully free to play

project spark is now free prosparkfree header
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Project Spark, a sandbox-styled game creation toolkit for the Xbox One and PCs, is giving up its microtransaction-based revenue model next month as Microsoft shifts its focus to providing “a free and open creation engine.”

Starting in October, all creative elements in Project Spark will be available for free to all players, and creators who previously purchased in-game content may be eligible for a refund.

Released in 2014, Project Spark allows players to create 3D environments and design simple gameplay objectives using a suite of creative tools. The game saw multiple content-expanding updates in the months after its launch, including a series of episodes featuring Conker, the star of Rare’s classic Nintendo 64 platformer Conker’s Bad Fur Day.

Title Update 16 for Project Spark will remove the in-game Marketplace feature and will make all previously released content available free of charge for new and returning players.

Project Spark‘s goal has always been to empower creativity,” Microsoft’s product engagement director Rahul Sandil stated. “We’ve been an incubation engine for ideas from epic to artistic and we plan to continue doing so.”

Sandil continued: “Project Spark inspires and empowers over 200,000 creators who have shared tens of millions of custom objects, behaviors and experiences. Every day we see anywhere between 300 and 400 new games being uploaded on our platform. Our support of these creators and our communications with them will continue in an open, free and collaborative environment.”

Players who purchased Project Spark tokens, credits, and in-game content after July 28, 2015, will receive refunds in the form of Microsoft Store credit. Players who purchased retail copies of Project Spark are also eligible for a full refund via Microsoft.

Project Spark will convert to a “free incubation engine” on October 5. The update will also introduce over 200 pre-designed characters and assets for use within custom projects.

Editors' Recommendations

Danny Cowan
Danny’s passion for video games was ignited upon his first encounter with Nintendo’s Duck Hunt, and years later, he still…
All Xbox One games with mouse and keyboard support
The protagonist of Assassin's Creed: Valhalla shouting in battle and wielding two axes.

While the last-gen Xbox One isn't as powerful as the Xbox Series X, it's still a worthwhile console and has a huge library of great games.

If you're looking to stay competitive while playing online multiplayer games versus next-gen console and PC players or are just looking to avoid some wonky console interface that's difficult to navigate, you may want to try using a keyboard and mouse with your Xbox One. A keyboard and mouse will give you better precision than your standard Xbox One controller so you can keep up in cross-platform games without shelling out money for a top gaming PC.

Read more
The best free FPS games you can play right now
10 essential tips for Arena Mode in Apex Legends

A few years ago, it was hard to find any decent free-to-play games that weren't MMORPGs, and good free first-person shooter (FPS) games were almost non-existent. The few that were around usually came from less-than-reputable sources and usually experienced a host of bugs and connectivity issues.

With battle royale games offering a boon to the free-to-play model, though, AAA studios have started releasing high-quality, free FPS games. Games like Warframe paved the way for Apex Legends and Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0. 

Read more
Microsoft’s price hike on Xbox games will apply to PC, Steam
Redfall Cover

Microsoft confirmed to Digital Trends that the impending price increase on its first-party games will apply to its PC releases as well. The change will happen in 2023 and affect upcoming titles like Starfield, Redfall, and Forza Motorsport.

This morning, IGN reported that Microsoft will be raising the prices of Xbox Series X|S games from $60 to $70. Digital Trends asked Microsoft if this would also apply to the PC versions of its games. A Microsoft spokesperson said, "Yes, starting in 2023, our new, full-priced games will be $69.99 across console and PC storefronts. This price reflects the content, scale, and complexity of these titles, regardless of platform. These games will also be available on day one with Game Pass.”

Read more