Microsoft to publish its first free-to-play Xbox 360 game

Microsoft has announced that the upcoming downloadable action title Happy Wars will be free-to-play with microtransactions when it launches on Xbox 360 later this fall, making it the first title on the platform to use this popular business model. Happy Wars, which comes from the Japanese studio Toylogic, will be made available to all players with an Xbox Live Gold subscription, and players will be able to customize their in-game character by purchasing virtual items with real-world currency. Microsoft did not confirm whether the game will sell anything beyond cosmetic character items. Keeping in line with other free-to-play games, Microsoft promises that it'll continue to support Happy Wars after its launch, as it plans to introduce even more items and character customization options. While it might be the first title of its kind on Xbox 360, Happy Wars isn't the only free-to-play title making its way to Microsoft's console. At E3 2012, Microsoft announced that Signal Studios' 2013 action title Ascend: New Gods will also adopt this business model. Over the past few years, the Xbox 360 has seen a number of other free downloadable games, including 1 vs. 100, Doritos Crash Course, and Yaris, but unlike Happy Wars or Ascend: New Gods, these titles did not offer any form of in-game transactions.