Xbox users might want to check out the multiplayer first-person shooter called Blindfire, as it recently went free-to-play. Developed by Double Eleven, Blindfire originally launched in October 2024 as an Early Access title across Xbox, PlayStation, and PC via Steam and Epic Games.
The gameplay premise in Blindfire is slightly different from most mainstream first-person shooters. Players need to strategically use light, as the battle arenas are mostly pitch black. The muzzle flash from each shot can reveal a player's position, forcing them to think twice before pulling the trigger.
Blindfire Has Gone Free-to-Play
As of May 5, 2026, Xbox Series X and S players can download Blindfire for free without an active Game Pass subscription. This is not a limited-time promotion, as developer Double Eleven has shifted the game from its original $9 USD price point to a free-to-play model. Blindfire has also gone free-to-play on the PlayStation Store, though the Steam and Epic Games Store versions still require a $9 purchase at the time of writing. However, the game's Steam listing notes that it is expected to be "free" starting May 5.
Developer Double Eleven is known for working with some of the gaming industry's biggest studios, including Rockstar Games, helping bring their titles to additional platforms, particularly PC. However, its own multiplayer game, Blindfire, has not seen the level of success some might have expected given that track record. On Steam, the game currently holds "Mixed" reviews, with a peak concurrent player count of just 77, according to SteamDB. Feedback on other platforms has also been lukewarm, with Blindfire averaging a 2.5 out of 5 score on the Microsoft Store.
Image via Double Eleven
Image via Double Eleven
Image via Double Eleven
The developer has not disclosed why Blindfire is joining the list of free-to-play games on consoles and PC. However, one possible explanation is that the game is trying to reach a larger player base. One of the most common complaints about the game is that its servers are "dead," with very few players online and long match queue times. By going free, Blindfire removes the entry barrier and effectively opens the door for fans of unique FPS games to try it out and decide whether it is worth keeping in their libraries.
GameRant Quiz
Xbox players looking to hop into Blindfire's servers may be interested to know that the game supports cross-platform play, with matches allowing up to eight players. The Xbox Store page for Blindfire does not mention a Game Pass requirement for online play, while the PlayStation Store explicitly states, "PS Plus required for online play." That is something players may want to keep in mind before downloading the game. Blindfire is also still in Early Access, and developer Double Eleven has yet to reveal its 2026 roadmap.
- Released
- October 17, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Violence, Blood
- Developer(s)
- Double Eleven Limited
- Publisher(s)
- Double Eleven Limited
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
WHERE TO PLAY
WEAPONS LIVE, LIGHTS OUT
Blindfire is an online multiplayer first-person shooter that takes place in the dark. Set in a shadowy underworld, the ultra-wealthy bet on illicit bloodsports beneath a neon skyline. For contestants lured by the promise of untold riches and unimaginable glory, it's kill or be killed.
EVERY KILL COUNTS
Brave the arena alone or team up in matches of up to 8 players. In Bodycount mode, score the most points over five rapid-fire rounds. Be the last person standing when the lights come on and earn your place in the winner's showcase.
DANGER LURKS IN THE DARK
Light is a rarity in close-quarter arenas riddled with traps for intense firefights. Players must decide where and when to fire at the risk of exposing their position. Hone your senses with the room-scanning Echo mechanic to help you navigate the arena and locate your opponents.
REVENGE UNDER THE BLACKLIGHTS
When defeated, spectators gain access to the arena's cutting-edge night vision cameras. Blacklight reveals the vibrant hues of hidden street art and transforms the slick designs of contestants' outfits. The eliminated spectators can assume control of traps in the arena to influence the outcome of the match and exact revenge.
LIGHT THEM UP
The pitch-black battlefields of Blindfire turn the first-person shooter genre on its head. Stalk the shadows as the tension builds, then run for cover as the shots start flying in a volley of muzzle flashes. Think you've got what it takes to eliminate the competition in Blindfire? Then grab your weapon and LIGHT THEM UP.
- Number of Players
- 1-8
- Early Access Release
- October 17, 2024
- Genre(s)
- FPS
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
