Killzone 3 multiplayer going free-to-play

Killzone 3 is going free-to-play. At least, part of it is. This week, the hosts of the PlayStation Blogcast confirmed Sony and Guerrilla Games will be gifting a limited version of Killzone 3's multiplayer component to all PSN members, with an option to buy the full experience for $15.

“[Killzone 3] has a really great multiplayer mode, and it's one that has a real hardcore community behind it, so what these guys decided to do was, to keep that multiplayer mode out there and really active.” said Sid Shuman, PlayStation's Senior Social Media Specialist.

Shuman explained Killzone 3's online offerings will be released as a free standalone download on PSN featuring all the maps. It will, however, arrive with a level-cap, which players can bypass for a one-time fee of $14.99. No mention was made of when the free multiplayer trial will arrive, but reports say it could be here as early as February 28.

This seems like a smart move for Sony. At best it will rejuvenate Killzone 3's year-old multiplayer community, and at worst it will give PSN members some free content. In the event you do give it a shot, make sure to prepare yourself first with our Killzone 3 multiplayer careers abilities guide, and our insightful study on 8 simple reasons you (might) suck at Killzone 3 multiplayer.

Matt Bradford wrote news and features here at GamesRadar+ until 2016. Since then he's gone on to work with the Guinness World Records, acting as writer and researcher for the annual Gamer's Edition series of books, and has worked as an editor, technical writer, and voice actor. Matt is now a freelance journalist and editor, generating copy across a multitude of industries.