Back in March of 2013, Hi-Rez broke the news to its Tribes: Ascend fans that they would need to take several months away from the game in order to focus all its efforts on SMITE. Several months became more than two years, and fans were beginning to believe that Hi-Rez would simply never return to Tribes. 

But the recent 1.1 update -- a.k.a. the Out of the Blue Update -- has proven those naysayers wrong. 

The recent success of SMITE left Hi-Rez with enough resources and revenue to put together a 3-4 person team that's dedicated to revamping Tribes: Ascend. The team, led by passionate Tribes fan and long-time developer Sean McBride, is hoping to alter the current game so that it more closely resembles the old series, before Hi-Rez acquired the IP rights. 

With the help of significant community feedback, the small development team has made some considerable changes to the existing game in order to streamline the experience without alienating the original Tribes fanbase. 

Hi-Rez made it clear that these efforts are not made with the hopes of attracting lots of new fans or bringing in any kind of money. The Tribes initiative is purely an attempt to satisfy veteran players and long-time fans of the series.

It's purely fan service.

The developers knew that they hadn't left the game in a good state when they focused their energies elsewhere, and now they're working hard to make it right for the community. 

Changes so far:

A lot of changes have been made thus far, including: 

• Faster gameplay: +25% Weapon Impulse
• Compressed classes into armor types (Light, Medium, and Heavy)
• Streamlined equipment choices, due to negative player feedback regarding an excessive number of weapons
• Rebalanced mechanics and character stats
• Fixed long-standing bugs & exploits
• Removed classes entirely in favor of weapon/armor customization
• More weapons can be equipped at once. 
• Removed/replaced sidegrade weapons
• Introduced new and reworked old weapons with unique functionalities
• Removed equipment upgrades
• Rolled perks into other equipment (like specialized packs)

New Maps

Hi-Rez also introduced three new maps that are based on maps from other Tribes games. The first is Icecoaster, based on the Rollercoaster map from Starsiege: Tribes. Next is Perdition, which is their take on the the Damnation map from Tribes 2. The last map is Terminus, based on the Katabatic and Arx maps of Tribes: Ascend. 

Benefits of update 1.1

The Out of the Blue update has been very well-received among fans so far. It's brought about 5-10k unique players per day, and nearly doubled the daily concurrences for the game. There's also been a resurgence in community content, and fans are currently organizing a series of community draft tournaments via Reddit, which are planned for January 23. 

Additionally, Hi-Rez plans to release a follow-up patch in the near future to continue its support of the game. 

 So, maybe you've dropped a boatload of cash on a new rig and realized you don't have enough cash left over for some new first-person-shooters to add to your collection -- or perhaps, you need some free-to-play distractions from your favorites.  Either way, these five games are sure to get your blood pumping and your wrists carpal tunneling...all completely free of charge. 

5.  Loadout

Starting off the countdown is Loadout; a game so gory and violent that if it wasn't portrayed in such a loveable, cartoony atmosphere, it would most likely be banned in the US.  Loadout features a fast paced, shooter gameplay element that doesn't rely too heavily on strategy, and is one of the only games where watching your character die in a variety of gruesome deaths, is actually fun. 

The game also features in-depth weapon customization that allows you hand-pick almost every detail of your own personal killing machine.  Loadout's cash shop is very balanced and offers mainly cosmetic purchases -- thus, avoiding the dreaded "pay-to-win" title many so called free-to-play shooters seem to embody these days.  

4.  Tribes: Ascend

Number four is an oldie, but definitely a goody, it's Tribes: Ascend.  Tribes is your standard sci-fi shooter complete with full class customization, but with a unique twist: skiing.  The ski mechanic in the game sounds kitschy at first, however, it not only makes Tribes: Ascend one one of the most reflex-oriented shooters available, but leads to some pretty impressive ways to kill your foes. 

Purchase options offer XP boosts and early weapon unlocks, but their presence is not at all game breaking.  You could also drop a flat fee of forty bucks to unlock every class and combination available all at once. 

3. Hawken

The third game on the list just happens to be one of the most beautiful free-to-play shooters in existence, and that game is Hawken.  Hawken is not only pretty to look at, but is an amazing shooter -- and if you're a true mech fan, it should be your GO-TO GAME!  With tons of game modes and intricate customizations, Hawken makes other recently released mech-shooters look like Fisher Price games for toddlers. 

Like all of the shooters on this list, the cash-shop keeps the game skill-based, limiting purchases to cosmetics, emotes, and early unlocks.  Warning: this free-to-play shooter is best enjoyed with a high-end PC only.

2. Planetside 2

Planetside 2 takes the silver medal in this countdown.  Sony's free-to-play massively multiplayer first-person-shooter or, F.2.P.M.M.O.F.P.S (for all of you abbreviation enthusiasts), is one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences on the free-to-play market.       

Pick one of three factions at war and battle it out over massive continents, with hundreds of players on each side.  Are you tired of running and gunning?  Well, you can take to skies like a futuristic maverick, or hop in one of many vehicles to change up your gameplay.  

If you're a casual player, you won't even bother with the cash shop.  However, if you plan to take this game seriously, you might have to invest in some early unlocks -- but it is well worth it.  Fear not console kids, Planetside 2 is heading to the Ps4 this year.

1.  Team Fortress 2

 I almost didn't include the number one game on this list, as it is a no-brainer to all PC free-to-play shooter fans.  However, in the end, it just didn't seem right not to have Team Fortress 2 at the top spot; despite the obvious.

If you own a PC, love shooters, and aren't playing TF2 then stop, just stop.  You're doing it wrong.  Seriously, go sell your computer and return to that rock you've been living under all of these years.  Valve's iconic shooter is a staple in almost every PC gamer's library, and after six strong years, TF2 continues to provide so much entertainment value.  Not only that, but it's paved the way for what the best free-to-play shooters should truly be.

It's a mainstay, a tradition, a god-damned legacy.  And there are hats... ALL OF THE HATS.

That's it for this countdown, don't forget to like this video and subscribe to the Gameskinny YouTube channel.  As always you can find me on Twitter -- and hey -- let me know what you think of this video, I'll be putting out a new one every week, so if there is anything you'd like to see, let me know below.  

Thanks for watching, now get out there and go shoot something... for free!