Sony offers MAG for free download

By Fred Dutton Published 20 December, 2010

Yes, there's a catch...

Sony has announced on an unconventional way of celebrating the spirit of Christmas this week: it's letting PlayStation 3 users shoot each other in the head for free, courtesy of complimentary access to online shooter MAG.

According to the PlayStation Blog, as of tomorrow PlayStation Plus members can download the full game for no charge from the PlayStation Store.

You can play any game mode as desired but won't be able to advance your character above level 8. However, all XP you earn after that is stored and added to your profile once you pay for the game.

The full download, which is available to non-members, will set you back $29.99 and come "complete with all the bells and whistles found in our patches up to v2.10."

The Zipper Interactive-developed FPS first launched back in January, winning a 7/10 from Eurogamer's Simon Parkin.

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About Fred Dutton

Fred Dutton is Eurogamer's US news editor, based in Washington DC.

Read more articles from Fred by visiting the Fred Dutton archive page.

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Comments (20) Latest comment 1 year ago

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  • Lucodeath #1 1 year ago

    A nearly free demo then

    Is this a new record, a neg equal to every poster so far. Keep it up
    Edited by Lucodeath at 20/12/10 @ 23:17

  • Arwin #2 1 year ago

    Always wanted this game to be PSN, not have to get out the disc is great for any online game really.

  • Lunastra78 #3 1 year ago

    This is a damn sound plan, both to make some serious $ and to boost the number of practice targ...erhm... players in the game.

  • VandelayIndustries #4 1 year ago

    I'd certainly give this a go then. If only to try out Move on a shooter.

  • nuanimal #5 1 year ago

    29.99? The game is cheaper boxed!

  • Emmit_Assassin #6 1 year ago

    The first Free To Play console MMO? I know its not a full MMO, but near enough.

  • HisDudness #7 1 year ago

    Can't talk now... playing MAG

  • onlineatron #8 1 year ago

    That's a damned good idea.

    Congrats Sony, perhaps you could do the same with DCU:o and The Agency?

    Will the download only be a client? Will we have to go through a ridiculously long update process?

  • Andy247 #9 1 year ago

    So I have to be a Playstation Plus member to play a glorified demo? Thanks, but no thanks.
    Edited by Andy247 at 20/12/10 @ 22:39

  • thesonglessbird #10 1 year ago

    Probably download this just to see what Move is like with it. Heard good things.

  • captain_Carl #11 1 year ago

    Seems like a good idea to me. If they enjoy it enough they'll buy the full game. If not, hey, at least some people tried it.

    More of this please, Sony

  • riceNpea #12 1 year ago

    excellent idea. wasn't bothered about buying this game but they have now assured that i give it a go. if i like it i'll pick it up second hand.

  • JediMasterMalik #13 1 year ago

    Sounds good, will give it a go.

  • HisDudness #14 1 year ago

    A note to prospective recruits:
    This game plays very differently to other modern warfare shooters that you may have encountered. In addition to the massive scale, it also retains certain MMO traits of character advancement beyond arena shooters. At low levels you will have inferior weapons and skills. If you are going to survive you have to stick close to your squad and team. In order to advance quickly and be an asset to the cause make sure to equip a medical kit and pick up your fallen comrades. This is by far the best way to gain experience at low (and high levels) as well as give your team a better chance of winning.

    The included training sequence is pathetically anemic, so make sure to consult some beginners guides and ask questions of your team mates. There is so much to learn! Just realize that like all online games match quality will vary from game to game depending on who you are matched with and against. However when things click in MAG there isn't really anything comparable. Good luck!

  • ToAks #15 1 year ago

    one of the best games of 2010!, very underrated!

    Come on world, stop playing cod and just play MAG instead!.

    i will make sure to play MAG a lot the next weeks :)

  • Steroyd #16 1 year ago

    A very tempting proposition next to Warhawk.

  • gjgjg #17 1 year ago

    good idea.
    Interesting reaction in the comments here as i recon if ms did this on xbla theyd be called up for money grabbing.
    I dont care either way, just an observation ;) they both need to make cashmoneyo

  • Ryze #18 1 year ago

    $29.99?

    ...or £12 from CEX.

  • infoxicated #19 1 year ago

    I love MAG, I really do... but it ran out of steam a long time ago and now the player base is so thin that it can be an age waiting to get into a game.

    Zipper just won't fess up to the advantage that SVER has, either, so it's turned into a really unbalanced experience regardless of which faction you join. All the good folk got sick of SVER's unfair advantage and switched there, and it wasn't long before all the shit folk moved to SVER to play with the good guys, too.

    All that's left on Raven & Valour are the average guys like me, fighting battle after losing battle against the might of SVER. It's too fucked now for them to rescue it - they could sell it for a fiver and it wouldn't sustain an audience.

    Damn shame - it was a great idea. For free it's worth a go in lieu of SOCOM & Killzone coming out, though.

  • Triggerhappytel #20 1 year ago

    It's a pretty good offer to those interested in the game and to serve up some cannon fodder for the rest of us. However, Sony really ought to shove this game out on Platinum in order to enlarge the player base as much as possible.

    Also, as pointed out above; anyone thinking of getting or trying MAG should note that you really need to put in a couple of hours or more before you start getting reasonably good. It's a great shooter but very unforgiving at the outset.