From the Press Release
Today Cherry Pop Games can confirm as true the rumours of Pool Nation FX launching a Free-to- Play title on Steam, with the announcement of a Lite version launching this Holiday Season. The Free- to- Play version will include extensive online play, an offline practice mode, a Daily Bonus Match, Daily Trickshot Challenge and full access to the customisable features including collectable cues, balls, decals and locations.
Gemma Jessop, Gameplay Design and Marketing at Cherry Pop Games had this to say "Pool Nation FX Lite is a free to play billiards game for Steam, we are very excited to have this opportunity to provide the Steam community a chance to play Pool Nation FX, opening up the world of online pool to a larger audience. Digital Pool has an audience of both casual gamers and pool fanatics - on one hand Pool Nation FX is a serious pool sim, on the other a more casual experience, providing the ability to become a pool king without the need to have ever picked up a cue. In short Pool Nation FX is serious fun whatever your billiards background!"
Cherry Pop Games can confirm that the F2P version will benefit from all future updates working seamlessly alongside the full version, keeping players in sync with everyone else when playing online.
Making the decision to steer away from the 'buy coins' consumable route and instead offer two optional DLC packs, Online priced at $3.99 and Offline priced at $8.99, both aimed to enhance gameplay but are not necessary to play the game.
The full game includes twelve game types including Snooker and 8 Ball UK, a host of customisable features, a fully editable trickshot mode, race against the clock Endurance mode, a full offline 8 Ball, 9Ball and Snooker career, Daily Challenges, aiming aids unlocked, Online Leagues, Full Play for Cash competitions, customisable rules and more.
To facilitate the increase in traffic, Pool Nation FX on Steam will incorporate a unique pool hall lobby to make online play seriously fun.
Pool Nation FX Lite for Steam will launch on 7th December 2015.
POOL NATION FX – What’s new?
Since its release in April 2015, Cherry Pop Games, and more recently the Steam community have worked tirelessly playing, testing and polishing this already shinny title.
- The file size on STEAM has been reduced to 2.2GB
- Loading times have been massively reduced – game loads quickly and smoothly
- Game is smoother and more polished, we have also updated the cameras to aid smooth transitions.
- New 96 table Pool hall lobby has been added to facilitate easy match making online The all new social hub of activity - the 'Pool Hall' the most exciting virtual Pool Hall you will find in a pool game, helping you find the right match quickly
- Massive improvements to the difficulty levels of the AI.
- Overhaul of the Snooker AI, to ensure safety play and adherence to all snooker rules
- Snooker cloth speed has been realistically implemented and centre pockets re-modelled
- The NEW collection is in - and collecting is fun: You compete to win, raise your profile and also your in game bank balance, but where do you spend it? There are cues, balls, decals, celebrations, locations and trickshot objects to spend your hard earned cash on. Your collection is yours to use, and there is a one stop shop in game to see what you've unlocked and what’s left to collect.
- Endurance Mode achievements have been made easier, they are now 3mins, 6mins, 9mins and 12mins so the time to hit is shorter and more achievable
- Manual drop-stop has been implemented in Endurance Mode so the player has control when the drop stop happens (or auto drop-stop can be selected)
- A new Endurance HUD now clearly shows when the next ball drops.
- Characters have been added in game to add atmosphere
- Crowd sounds controlled by a slider
- More in game graphics controls - Quicker to find online matches on Steam
- General reported bug fixes.
- Change game type in Practice - 8Ball, 9Ball and Snooker
- New intro sequence
- New VIP room