Disney Dreamlight Valley is available from Tuesday, September 6, 2022 in Early Access on all platforms. The opportunity for you to discover this magical world and restore it by finding lost Disney and Pixar characters. All means are good: whether it's exploring the open world by unlocking the passages of nocturnal thorns thanks to the Dreamlight, or going through the castle and its magic paintings. Currently, the only way to try the game is to purchase it through a Founder's Pack, but rest assured: in 2023, it will be available for everyone for free!
When will Disney Dreamlight Valley be released in free version?
Unfortunately, we still don't have a specific release date for the release of the game in free version. However, the Gameloft developers have made it clear that DDV will be released in free-to-play from 2023 as indicated in the official FAQ:
Free to play: what does that mean exactly?
A "free to play" game is a game that is available for free download. This is very common on smartphones in particular, but this fashion has quickly spread to other platforms, especially with Fortnite or Genshin Impact more recently. In order to still obtain remuneration, developers can then offer several mechanisms to earn money outside of downloading the game:
- Offer unique cosmetics for purchase in a special shop: this does not affect gameplay,
- Offer boost items that make the player advance faster: this practice called "pay to win" is strongly deprecated because it allows some players to be better than others simply by paying,
- Offer a Battle Pass that changes regularly (often every month): with many missions to complete that grant rewards either free or paid (Premium version).
What does Disney Dreamlight Valley offer in free to play?
In the case of Disney Dreamlight Valley, Gameloft has opted to market early access via Founders' Packs in order to get paid, but once in 2023 the game will go free-to-play. With the free download, players can then spend real money to purchase premium currency: Moon Stones.
And you will also have noticed, a Battle Pass is already available in early access: The Way of the Stars. It offers a free version and a premium version which can be purchased with Moonstones. In 2023, there is no doubt that this Pass system will still be in the game, but other microtransactions may well be added.
Regular free updates
Just like in Early Access, the F2P version of Dreamlight Valley will offer free content updates regularly to add new characters, biomes and other objects. Soon, for example, you will be able to enjoy the Lion King update but also Toy Story.
Shop and other purchases
Note that even in F2P version, it will be possible to buy Extensions (Founders Packs but probably other Packs as well). A shop menu will also be added and dedicated to the sale of items in exchange for moonstones. These are usually cosmetic items such as clothing or special furniture. This menu should not be confused with Scrooge's Store, where all displayed items can be unlocked without spending Moonstones or real money.
In order to improve your weapons in Grounded, and finally be able to get revenge on those damn spiders, you need to make whetstones with pieces of quartzite and marble. But it's not always very clear, here is an explanatory guide on how the forge works.
