What's a "Mini-Pass"? Looking At Splitgate 2's Somewhat Unique F2P Monetization Plans

Open beta for F2P shooter Splitgate 2 is just around the corner. We know things will kick off in May, but we still have to wait for an exact date. However, we do now know that, in addition to a beta on Steam, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, 1047 Games has gone ahead and added PS4, Xbox One, and Steam Deck (through Proton), and Epic Games to the list of open beta platforms.

That news comes as part of a larger post published over of the official site. The most interesting portion of the post actually details the game's planned monetization. Ever since the original Splitgate, the team has stayed committed to a "no P2W" monetization plan. That trend will continue with the sequel, but the team is going to focus on making cosmetics more "cohesive." This means they'll stick to common looks that fit with each season.

That's where things get slightly unique. Splitgate 2 will run the typical weekly rotation of cosmetics in the shop and the season pass you would likely expect. However, seasons will run for about 3 months each, but there won't just be one pass for the season. Players will have 3 passes on offer, one for each month of the season. These "mini passes" will cost you $4.99 each and they will offer currency rewards that can be used on other pass purchases. You'll have all season to work through a mini-pass.

"By breaking each season into three mini Battle Passes, you can choose the monthly chapter that has the content that most appeals to you," according to the team. They also promise that you'll earn progress (and rewards) in each pass faster than you may be used to from other games. The first mini-pass will be available in May when open beta starts.

When beta rolls around, you'll also be able to purchase a number of Founder's Packs. The base model comes in three varieties, each themed for a specific faction. If you want all three of those, there's an upgraded package that puts them all together and gives you $20 worth of Splitcoin, the shooter's premium currency. Finally, an Ultimate Bundle will offer all three faction packages, $30 in Splitcoin, and a number of additional weapon skins. We don't have prices for the bundles yet, but I expect we'll see them soon.