Free-to-Play (F2P)

Free-to-play, or F2P, is a business model where a game costs nothing to download and play, earning revenue instead through optional purchases such as cosmetics, battle passes, or currency. Many of the biggest games in the world, including major shooters and battle royales, use this model.

“F2P” also describes a player who has never spent money, in contrast to a paying player. The model lowers the barrier to entry but relies on optional spending to sustain itself. Because progression in F2P games can take a long time, some players buy an established gaming (general) accounts to skip the early grind.