Less than two months before the full release of "Disney's Dream Nights Valley," developer Gameloft announced that the game will not be a free-to-play game after all. The studio said that based on "learnings" from a year of early access, "we have decided that it will be a pay-to-play game for the foreseeable future."

Players who wanted to dive into Disney's Dreamlight Valley prior to release were required to purchase a "Founder's Pack" that allowed them to join the Early Access version of the game and a variety of exclusive cosmetics. This is not an uncommon way for game studios to monetize their projects ahead of release: "Fortnite," "Heroes of the Storm," "Dying Light," "Bad Blood," "Dauntless: Fortnite," "Heroes of Storm ," "Dying Light: Bad Blood," and "Dauntless" have all offered similar programs in the past.

"By purchasing a Founder's Pack and becoming one of the first players, you can interact with the game team and help them make the game better," Gameloft explains in Steam's Early Access FAQ." Becoming a "Founder" gives you first-hand experience of the game and access to a number of Founder-only items that are not available (after Early Access).

"After Early Access, Disney Dreamlight Valley will include an in-game store filled with cosmetic items to customize your character and house. The game has no monetization mechanisms such as a paid energy system or gameplay time skippers. Paid content will be limited to cosmetics and paid game extensions, which will be made available in the future."

These Founder's Packs will be available until Disney Dreamlight Valley launches, but instead of moving to a free-to-play model as planned, three new paid editions - Base Game, Cozy Edition, and Gold Edition - and a another expansion pass for those who already own the base game.

"With this selection, Disney Dreamlight Valley will continue to offer a premium gaming experience for all players. It is important to us that we maintain our commitment to continue to provide free content updates that add new characters, realms, clothing, furniture, and even more surprises to your Valley." Purchases requiring moonstones are voluntary, fair and commensurate with the level of quality players expect. Players can collect moonstones for free through Dream Snaps and chests.

Reaction to the announcement has been decidedly mixed at this point, with many players on Reddit and Twitter happy that the free-to-play model has been discontinued, as it means that Gameloft is no longer committed to monetization through the in-game store. Gameloft's racing game Disney Speed Storm, which went free-to-play after exiting Early Access, has since faced considerable criticism

for its pricing model.

However, some have noted that Disney Dreamlight Valley still employs an F2P-style structure by selling currency, battle passes, and cosmetic items through an in-game store. One Redditor says, "It's literally P2P with F2P monetization." And of course, there are those who are just angry as a matter of principle, accusing Gameloft of "lying" and "greed" by making last-minute changes.

It's probably a no-win situation for Gameloft. I guess what will ultimately tell the story is what happens after launch with their approach to monetization and in-game content: if the studio is generous, all will be forgiven (after all, people seem to like Disney Dreamlight Valley very much) and if the screws are turned, Probably not. I also wouldn't be surprised if adjustments are made between now and launch, and more freebies are thrown in for those who have already paid for the Founders Pack.

Disney Dreamlight Valley is scheduled to close Early Access on December 5. Those who purchase the Founder's Pack before launch will receive all the new cosmetics included in the Gold Edition of the full version, as well as 2,500 moonstones for use in the in-game store.