Indie horror gameHaus Of Irndrousis currently free to claim on Steam, with plans to transition to a paid model later in July 2025. Specifically,Steamusers have until July 19 to add it to their libraries at no cost.
Developed by Mexico-based Yxtopia Studios,Haus Of Irndrousis anatmospheric horror gamethat initially launched as an early access title in August 2024. Designed as an episodic experience, its first chapter—comprising most of the current early access build—was always intended to be free, while subsequent episodes were planned to be distributed as paid downloadable content. However, this plan has now changed.
On July 12, Yxtopia Studios announced that its early access horror game will soon be transitioning to a paid model. Right now,Steam users can still claimHaus Of Irndrousfree of charge, but the game will be given a $1.99 price tag beginning next Saturday, July 19. While it’s not every day that a game goes from a free-to-play to a paid business model, such events are far from unprecedented on Valve’s storefront.Puzzle platformerROTA: Bend Gravitymade this transitionjust last month, while JJS Games’Creative Consoledid the same back in September 2024.
Why Won’t Haus Of Irndrous Be Free Anymore?
As for whyHaus Of Irndrousis making this change, Yxtopia Studios says that the business model shift is multifold. The developer’s main reason for attaching a price tag to theearly access horror gameis to help fund the development of future chapters. Support for auxiliary servers is cited as a secondary benefit of the move. “This isn’t a wall, it’s a stepping stone,” an Yxtopia Studios representative said as part of a prepared statement, referencing the incoming price hike.
This isn’t a wall, it’s a stepping stone.
As is the case with mostearly access Steam games, the current version ofHaus Of Irndrousexists primarily for the purpose of gathering player feedback that would shape future versions of the game. Yxtopia’s announcement of its new business model coincided with the release of update 17.0, which introduced enemy AI improvements, performance optimizations, and visual bug fixes, among other novelties.
The changelog attached to the new patch also mentions that it includes some “early setup for future content expansions,” albeit without elaborating on the matter. Exactly how many more additional episodes are presently in the works at Yxtopia is unclear. The current version of Chapter 1: Traces Of The Soul has been available in the game since September 2024. It’s unconfirmed whether future episodes will have the same $1.99 price tag that the introductory chapter is about to receive on July 19, but the current planisto sell them separately.
