Have you got an unfinished, or even a finished project in Project Spark that is missing something? Maybe you want to add more terrain or props, but have reached your limit. Or perhaps you want an item from the large amount of DLC added, but haven’t got the coins or money to buy it. Well that is all about to change.
Starting October 5, Project Spark will roll out its biggest update so far. The update will overhaul many of Project Spark’s systems and areas. The biggest and most exciting change though, is that the update will automatically unlock previously paid downloadable content for Project Spark users. No, you didn’t read that wrong.
All current and new users, will be able to use all of Project Spark’s add-ons, for free. Due to these changes, all players who have purchased Project Spark digital content on or after July 28, 2015, purchased a retail disc and activated it by product key redemption on or after July 28, 2015 or have a remainder balance of purchased in-game tokens will be entitled to Microsoft Store credit equivalent to their money spent. These will be awarded after October 5, and will be credited within 30-60 days.
In a news article released on the Project Spark website, Rahul Sandil said, “Project Spark’s goal has always been to empower creativity. We’ve been an incubation engine for ideas from epic to artistic and we plan to continue doing so. Project Spark inspires and empowers over 200,000 creators who have shared tens of millions of custom objects, behaviors and experiences. Every day we see anywhere between 300 and 400 new games being uploaded on our platform. Our support of these creators and our communications with them will continue in an open, free and collaborative environment.”
“Additionally, today’s released content packs are our last planned DLC. With a total of 46 released packs and 2,000 plus assets, we feel like we’ve gotten to a good place with our content offers for creators. This also means that we will no longer create episodic adventures, including future Conker’s Big Reunion episodic content. We’ll leave it up to you to continue his story in whatever ways you want, and we can’t wait to see what you create!”
But that’s not all. Along with these large changes, Project Spark will also be adding some new features! The update rolling out October 5, will include:
• The maximum terrain limit in creations has been doubled.
• The maximum prop limit in creations has been increased by 500.
• 200 plus new assets will be added in game, including a dragon, goblin warlord, bog biome and a set of new primitive building blocks.
• Each creator will now have a total of 100 Upload Slots for their creations.
• UGC ranking will be based on downloads and favorites, instead of upvote or downvote ratings.
• The Project Spark Marketplace has been removed.
• The Project Spark Tour and Treasure Trove have been removed.
• Achievements have been revamped for players and creators.
This is a brilliant move by the team behind Project Spark and Microsoft. As a fan of Project Spark, I can’t wait to try out the new features that have previously locked for me. If you have not played Project Spark, now is the time to download it and start creating.
Source: Xbox Wire
Simon contributed 16 articles to ICXM in 2015, covering game reviews, Windows and PC, and Xbox news with a focus on hands-on impressions and verified-source reporting. Their bylines on the site span the Xbox One’s first full year of post-launch coverage, including the early days of Backwards Compatibility and Windows 10 gaming.