Project Spark is already free-to-start, but Microsoft has elected to give the whole package away gratis.

Project Spark is seen by Microsoft as a way to show the power of the Xbox One and how a product can be adapted to work on an ecosystem of devices centered on the new Windows 10 operating system.

If you have purchased content or the retail disk before July 28 2015, you’re out of luck because Microsoft says that they will only offer equivalent Store credit to purchases after that date.

The switch will help Project Spark realize its goal of empowering players in terms of creativity, allowing them to create interesting new realities in the virtual space.

Microsoft will no longer continue active development on Project Spark after October 5th. Until now, it’s been free-to-play, with a free base package of tools and assets and additional ones available by spending money. “We’ve been an incubation engine for ideas from epic to artistic and we plan to continue doing so”, said Rahul Sandil, Head of Project Spark Acquisition/Engagement.

Project Spark is a powerful, yet simple way to build and play your own worlds, stories, and games. ‘This also means that we will no longer create episodic adventures, including future Conker’s Big Reunion episodic content, ‘ Sandil admitted.

“Project Spark inspires and empowers over 200,000 creators who have shared tens of millions of custom objects, behaviours and experiences”.

All refunds will take the form of Microsoft Store credits and be refunded between 30-60 days after 5 October. Players will also be able to create larger environments, as both the terrain size and the item limit restrictions now in place are being doubled.

For more details and information on this announcement, users can join in the conversation on the Project Spark forums.