Freeware (Concept)

Freeware

CONCEPT

Freeware games are those which have their full versions legally free to download or otherwise obtain.

Overview

Freeware games are games that are legally available in their full form with no payment required. Freeware games usually appear on PC and mobile platforms and are often made by game programming hobbyists during their free time.

Freeware should not be confused with Free to play games, which require no initial purchase but contain Real Money Transactions to access some content.

On mobile platforms, free games are often ad-supported, which provides a source of revenue for the developers and publishers. These are more correctly classified as adware rather than freeware. Advergames are created with the sole purpose of advertising, for example Yaris (Game) (created to promote the Toyota Yaris car) and Dash of Destruction (Game) (created as an advert for Doritos).

Often, games that were formerly commercial releases are made free by their publisher. This is usually a method used promote their sequel(s), although sometimes can just be due to the games no-longer being profitable to sell commercially. The following games were commercial releases, but have since been made free:

It has been known for games to be offered for free as part of a promotion. For example, in early 2009 in Canada, Beyond Good & Evil (Game) was being offered for free with a particular brand of string cheese.

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