Battleborn Multiplayer Goes Free to Play, Early Buyers Getting Huge Bonus

Starting today, right now, Battleborn's multiplayer mode is completely free to play on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. Check out the new Free Trial Trailer above.

Battleborn had the unique misfortune of launching at the same time as -- and being compared to -- Overwatch, and it didn't take long for the ensuing Overwatch frenzy to take its toll on Battleborn's concurrent player-base. This move will hopefully inject some new life and new players into the servers and revive what turned out to be a really imaginative MOBA / first-person shooter hybrid.

This is being sold as a "free trial," and not as a "free to play" game, since the story campaign will still be limited to the full-version. You'll also have a selection of heroes to choose from the full roster. There's an FAQ on the official site which outlines exactly what you have access to without paying a dime:

"The Free Trial encompasses UNLIMITED Competitive Multiplayer play, including access to all four competitive multiplayer modes, a rotating roster of free playable heroes, and the same character and account growth and progression you would find in the full game.

"Each Free Trial player will also have access to a subset of Battleborn's 30 unique heroes through a rotating roster of six heroes that changes weekly. Love a hero and want to keep playing after the roster changes? No problem! Unlock your favorite hero from the in-game Marketplace using Credits earned while playing matches. Or with Platinum premium currency, unlock your favorite heroes and customize them with a myriad of skins and taunts."

So if you're one of the Gearbox faithful who invested in Battleborn as soon as it launched, what do you get out of all of this? Thousands of new players are about to play the game that you paid for without spending a penny; will you be compensated in any way for showing your support? Yes you will. You're now considered a "Founder," and the next time you log in you'll find the following waiting for you:

• 1,000 Platinum

• 50,000 Credits

• Exclusive "Founder" player title

• Gold skins for Mellka and Deande

• 5 Core Loot Packs

• 1 of each Command Faction Pack (5 total)

• Exclusive "Founder Loot Pack" that includes…

  • 1 guaranteed piece of legendary gear

  • 1 guaranteed piece of legendary boss gear

  • 2 guaranteed pieces of common (or better) gear

  • Guaranteed exclusive legendary "Shard of Solus" gear item (a 0 activation cost LLC Shard Generator)

  • 4 guaranteed Flair items including exclusive "Founder's Crown" Flair item

Is this enough to tempt you into trying Battleborn? If you're a lapsed player, do the Founders' bonuses make you want to jump back in? Chime in on Facebook and let us know if you're still playing Battleborn, or if you're about to hop in for the first time.