Xbox Live's first free-to-play game out next week

Microsoft's first free-to-play Xbox Live title will launch next week. The company today announced through its PlayXBLA website that online competitive brawler Happy Wars will be available October 12 for Xbox Live Gold subscribers.

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. Players can upgrade their characters' appearance and equipment by unlocking "Happy Stars" through play, or by purchasing "Happy Tickets" with real-world money.

It is not clear how much these add-ons will cost in real-world money, and a Microsoft representative had not responded to GameSpot's request for comment at press time.

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."