Dirty Bombs Transition To A Free-To-Play Model A Guide To Earning In-Game Currency And Content

The video game Dirty Bomb, a team-based first-person shooter developed by Splash Damage and originally published by Nexon, underwent a significant transition to a free-to-play model. This shift, announced in 2019, eliminated all real-money purchases and premium currency (RADs), converting existing assets and changing the game's economy to be entirely based on an earnable in-game currency called Credits. For players interested in accessing the game and its content without direct financial expenditure, understanding this new system is crucial. This article details the changes made during this transition, how players can earn Credits, what content is available for free, and the operational status of the game's servers, based exclusively on official announcements and community documentation.

The move to a free-to-play model was framed as a "thank you" to both existing and new players for their support over the game's lifetime. The core changes involved the removal of all premium currency (RADs) and the elimination of all real-money purchases and downloadable content (DLC) packs from the game's store. Instead, the game's economy was restructured to rely solely on Credits, an in-game currency that players can earn through gameplay. The earn rate for Credits was substantially increased, from 19 per minute to 50 per minute, nearly tripling the rate at which players could accumulate currency to spend on in-game items.

A key aspect of this transition for existing players was the conversion of their previously held RADs. According to the official FAQ, all RADs were converted into Credits at a rate of 1 RAD to 20.84 Credits, rounded up to the nearest Credit. This ensured that players who had invested in the premium currency did not lose their value and could immediately use the converted Credits in the new, free economy. The developers also re-introduced some older content back into the store, such as specific cases and trinkets, including the "Dapper Doge Trinket," which had previously been unavailable. However, it was noted that not all old content could be brought back due to technical limitations.

For new players, the free-to-play model means they can download and play Dirty Bomb without any upfront cost. All core gameplay elements, including the mercenaries (characters with unique abilities), are accessible. The game featured a "Free Rotation" of mercenaries, allowing players to try different characters on a weekly basis without needing to unlock them permanently. To permanently own a mercenary, players must use the earnable Credits. The official Dirty Bomb Wiki, maintained by the player community, serves as a resource for information on mercenaries, the free rotation, and other game mechanics. While the wiki is a community effort, it compiles information from official sources and player contributions, making it a useful reference for understanding the game's systems.

The transition also affected the game's server infrastructure. As part of the announcement, it was confirmed that dedicated servers would remain active in key regions until the end of 2019. This provided players with a clear timeline for the game's operational support. Players who owned or wished to host their own servers were directed to a separate FAQ on the developer's helpdesk for more information. Community forums, such as the Splash Damage forums and Steam community discussions, became hubs for players to discuss strategies, report issues, and share information about the game's new state, including occasional user reports of free key giveaways for mercenaries like Fragger, though such offers were not part of the official, ongoing free-to-play structure.

In summary, Dirty Bomb's shift to a free-to-play model centered on the elimination of all monetary transactions and the introduction of a robust, earnable Credits system. Players could earn Credits at a significantly increased rate, convert existing RADs, and access a rotating selection of mercenaries. While the game's official server support concluded in 2019, the model provided a clear path for players to access all content without direct payment during the game's active period.

Sources

1. Splash Damage Forums - Dirty Bomb Goes Free Update and FAQ
2. Dirty Bomb Wiki - Official Community Wiki
3. Splash Damage Forums - Dirty Bomb Section
4. Steam Community - Dirty Bomb Discussions