The fabled (sorry, couldn't resist) story of game creator Peter Molyneux's passion project Godus is almost as epic as the game itself. It started life as a mystery project at an indie studio called 22cans, which Molyneux created after walking away from his high-profile gig at Microsoft Games and Lionhead Studios, which Molyneux founded himself.
22cans' first release was an experimental iOS app called Curiosity. It garnered major headlines because it consisted of a massive virtual cube made up of millions of smaller cubes, which players would tap, one at a time to get rid of, working their way slowly down to the center. Whoever reached the center would win a big prize. While zillions of players were tapping away at Curiosity's oddly compelling cube, Molyneux announced 22cans' real first game: a modernized reimagining of his classic "god game" sim, Populus. Called Godus, it began its life as a Kickstarter project. That project met its funding goal in late 2012.
A PC version of Godus was released in an early beta in September of 2013 on Steam, but now the game is set to really explode because it's finally arriving on mobile devices. Owners of iOS devices, to be exact, can download the game now from the iTunes App Store, and here's the best part: it's free.
Godus has beed released on IOS, and editor picked. I am shaking with excitement, emotional to the point of tears and thankful.
— peter molyneux (@pmolyneux) August 7, 2014
Going free with its baby is a surprise move for 22cans (Godus costs $20 on Steam), particularly given the tenuous nature of its bottom line. It sounds crazy to suggest that any game that requires a Kickstarter campaign to get made would be released for free, but that's what Molyneux and his studio have done. How can they afford it? By offering optional in-app purchases. At the moment, Godus has just one in-app purchase available. $5 will get you 50 gems, the in-game currency. You don't have to purchase gems to play the game; it's just a shortcut to help you progress faster.
In the gaming industry, this is a fairly new strategy known as "free-to-play," and it's paid off in huge ways for the likes of Candy Crush Saga, Clash of Clans, Kim Kardashian: Hollywood and several Angry Birds titles. It's a gamble to be sure, but for a game that looks high-quality and could become as addictive as Godus, it may just turn free gamers into genuine income.
22cans is committed to updating Godus with new content and patches that will continually improve its experience. Android, Mac and Linux versions of the game are also in the works.
