Free to play games on average have a bad reputation, which is in general deserved. Many free to play games are set up to get you addicted to the game and then hit you with microtransactions and in-app purchases. Many gamers are frustrated with this type of system, but they may fail to realize that there are free to play games that are fun to play, and make money without forcing players to pay an insane amount of money to progress.

1. Path of Exile

An action RPG based on Diablo 2. The way that they make their money is by giving the player more slots for equipment, items, currency, character slots, also from cosmetics and premium tabs. A Premium tab is a special kind of tab that allows you to sell items easier.

2. League of Legends

The premiere Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) on the market today, originally based off of a Warcraft 3 mod: Defense of the Ancients (DotA). League of Legends generates revenue almost entirely on cosmetics, and to progress quicker in the game.

3. Smite

A third-person over the shoulder MOBA that focuses on manual aim of all of your abilities. Smite is similar to League of Legends, except that it generates revenue from cosmetics and purchasing of playable characters, gods.

Everything in League of Legends and Smite can be obtained eventually through just playing the game.

4. Dota 2

The next leading MOBA on the market today, also based off of DotA. Made by Valve (the creators of Steam, a digital distribution platform many gamers use) Dota 2 makes it’s money off of cosmetics.

5. Team Fortress 2

A first-person shooter made by Valve based off of a mod from Quake called Team Fortress. It makes its money through cosmetic items called hats, and buying weapons that can eventually be found in while playing the game.

6. Hearthstone

A trading card game (TCG) based off of the Warcraft universe. It makes money by speeding up progression by allowing players to purchase packs of cards, which can be obtained by playing the game, but buying them greatly speeds up the process.

7. Overwatch

Technically not free to play but cosmetics are available to bring in extra revenue. Cosmetics can also be unlocked by leveling up, each time a player gains a level they are given a loot box that may contain a new skin for a character, a new pose, voice line, player icon, and stickers that can be placed in the game. This strategy is one that is shared with free to play games, and is so good it transcends past the free to play game model.

Overall, the free to play model can be done correctly through offering cosmetics, faster progression, upgrades, and ways to make game play easier. By not making the purchasable items a requirement for progression and enjoyment of the game, it pleases most kinds of players. Hopefully more free to play games will come out and stick to this business model.