Free-to-play Xbox Live game sees 1.2 million players

Xbox Live's first free-to-play game Happy Wars has been downloaded more than 1.2 million times worldwide, developer Toylogic announced today. The game launched in October behind a middling critical reception.

Though Happy Wars is free to play, gamers can purchase "Happy Tickets" with real-world money to upgrade their characters' appearance and equipment. This can also be achieved by unlocking "Happy Stars" through play. Additionally, gamers must hold an Xbox Live Gold subscription ($60 per year) to download Happy Wars.

The game supports simultaneously play for up to 30 players (15 vs.15), who will take part in free-for-all battles against one another.

Happy Wars is not the only free-to-play game in development for Xbox Live. Signal Studios' third-person role-playing game Ascend: New Gods will also be available through the platform for free when it launches in "several months."