Ronimo's 3-vs-3 platform MOBA, Awesomenauts, got a big update earlier this week in order to lay the groundwork for the title going entirely free-to-play next month on the PC. If you already own the game then don't worry, you won't lose anything as it shifts to this new format.
There's been a lot of changes to Awesomenauts over the past year on the PC, including a spectator mode and a level editor via Steam Workshop, and it sounds like much of that was being done to set things up for the transition to free-to-play. The new 4.0 update is the precursor to this shift and includes some big changes to the game's progression system and the tutorial. Here's what's new:
A completely overhauled tutorial and beginner experience to help make the game more accessible A new progression system allows players to level up both their profile as well as each of their characters. Both will unlock their own unique rewards, such as currency bonuses, portraits, character items, and portraits A new currency called Awesomepoints, which can be earned by playing matchmade games. These games can be either against other players or through the new 'co-op vs bots' mode. Awesomepoints can be used to unlock playable characters, profile portraits, and the new drop pods Real money will still be the only way to buy character skins, but can now also be used to buy individual playable characters and drop pods. Players will also be able to buy all current and future characters through the ‘Awesomenauts All Nauts Pack’. On top of all the characters, owners of the Pack will be granted the 'Collector' status, giving them an exclusive medal and skinAs previously mentioned, anyone who currently owns the game will still keep all their existing content/progression. In fact, if you own the game along with the "Starstorm" and "Overdrive" expansions, you'll automatically be upgraded to that "Awesomenauts All Nauts Pack" and be given access to all future characters for free. Not a bad deal.
If you're interested in checking out the new changes but don't own the game, then there's a beta for which you can sign up, or you can just buy the "All Nauts Pack" on Steam for $25.
Awesomenauts goes free-to-play on PC on May 24.