To directly answer the question – no, Beat Saber will not be free on new Meta Quest 2 purchases starting in 2024. But don‘t worry, I‘ve got all the details on how you may still be able to score this wildly popular VR rhythm game at no cost.
Let‘s dive in!
The free Beat Saber promotion that bundled the game with every new Meta Quest 2 purchase was limited to headsets bought between August 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022.
So if you‘re thinking about buying a Quest 2, act fast to take advantage of the deal! Here is the timeframe:
- Promotion launched August 1, 2022
- Available on headsets purchased through December 31, 2022
- Must activate headset by January 31, 2023 to claim freebie
- Only for new Meta accounts – existing Beat Saber owners don‘t qualify
Once we‘re in 2024, this sweet giveaway ends and you‘ll have to buy Beat Saber separately. Bummer!
But don‘t fret. I‘ve got some crafty ideas on how you may still score Beat Saber for free, along with reasons why it‘s 100% worth buying even at full price.
How Can You Get Beat Saber for Free After the Promotion Ends?
While not guaranteed, try these sneaky tips to get Beat Saber without paying:
Buy a Meta Quest 2 by December 31, 2022
This is a no brainer if you planned to buy a Quest 2 anyway. Snag it before 2022 ends and activate with a new Meta account to claim your free copy.
Over 2 million Quest 2s have been sold to date, so why not join the fun? But act fast, only 50 days left to qualifying purchases as of writing!
Watch for Special Promo Offers
Around the holidays in 2021, Meta let Quest owners download Beat Saber free for a week. Keep an eye out in case they run a similar promo in late 2022 or 2023.
You never know when they may hand out freebies again to drum up app buzz. Be ready to pounce! Of course, nothing is promised.
Plead With a Pal
Got a buddy who owns Beat Saber? Beg them to gift you their extra copy!
All they need is access to your Meta account to purchase and send it your way. Hey, it doesn‘t hurt to ask, right? Unless you have really stingy friends.
Hold Out for a Sale
Beat Saber rarely goes on sale, but you never know. Maybe you‘ll luck out with a holiday discount or price drop to $20-25 in 2024.
This is a test of patience. Personally, I‘m too eager to play! But I know every dollar counts for some. Fingers crossed for you!
Is Buying Beat Saber Worth It? 3 Reasons I Say Yes!
Let‘s say you miss out on a freebie. Should you just cave in and buy Beat Saber at its normal $30 price? Abso-freaking-lutely! Here are my top reasons why:
1. Insanely Fun, Addictive Gameplay
Cleaving through blocks with two lightsabers to EDM jams just feels SO right in VR. It‘s an adrenaline rush! The gameplay instantly clicks but takes skill to master. I always crave "just one more song."
2. Crazy High Replay Value
With the base game‘s multiple difficulty levels and endless custom songs available, you‘ll slash blocks for hours upon hours. The beat maps keep gameplay fresh since no two songs play exactly the same.
3. A Top-Tier VR Showcase
When VR newbies try my Quest 2, Beat Saber is ALWAYS the game that impresses them most. The visuals, music, and slashing action spark joy and make sceptics finally "get" VR. It‘s that special.
For just $30, no other VR game delivers as much chaotic fun and value. I‘d pay DOUBLE for Beat Saber it‘s so dang awesome!
How Much Does Beat Saber Cost on Quest 2?
The base Beat Saber game costs $29.99 in the Meta Quest store. Here are the current pricing details:
- Beat Saber (base game): $29.99
- Beat Saber OST Vol. 1 (Original Soundtrack): $12.99
- Beat Saber OST Vol. 2: $12.99
- Beat Saber OST Vol. 3: $12.99
- Beat Saber Imagine Dragons Music Pack: $12.99
- Beat Saber Panic at the Disco Music Pack: $12.99
There are also song packs from popular artists like Green Day, Skrillex, Linkin Park, and more for around $13 each.
Plus the K-pop sensation BTS recently joined the lineup with 12 hit tracks for $12.99. Groove to "Dynamite" in style!
The costs add up if you want ALL the packs. But you only need the base game to start slicing and access unlimited custom songs made by fans.
Why Did Meta Bundle Beat Saber Free with Quest 2 Headsets?
Giving away millions of free Beat Saber copies was a genius move by Meta to:
- Sell more Quest 2 headsets before 2022 ended
- Showcase Beat Saber‘s greatness to new VR users
- Get players hooked so they buy more song packs later
- Drive bigger engagement with VR gaming overall
The deal was probably even more exciting for gamers than Meta itself! But it got Quest 2‘s into more hands and homes which is a win for Meta in the long run. Clever strategy!
How Can You Get Custom Songs?
Accessing custom fan-made song maps is a MUST to maximize your Beat Saber playtime. Here‘s how to get more music:
On Meta Quest:
Install BMBF to access 1000s of custom songs. It‘s awesome but requires some tech skills to set up properly.
Easier method: Sync up your Synth Riders library to also play its songs in Beat Saber. Quick 5 minute setup!
On PC VR (Steam):
BeatDrop and ModAssistant let you browse and download customs songs from within Beat Saber. Seamless integration!
For advanced users, you can manually add songs by placing them in the CustomLevels folder. More complicated.
No matter what platform you play on, custom songs offer endless gameplay variety and new challenges. Time to pump up the jams!
5 Pro Tips to Improve Your Beat Saber Skills
Starting out in Beat Saber? Follow these pro gamer tips to slash those blocks in style:
1. Adjust Saber Height
Make sure blocks are centered at or just above eye level. This gives you the best angle of attack.
2. Widen Your Stance
Keep feet shoulder-width apart for balance and freedom to swing.
3. Limit Wrist Flicking
Use your whole arms to slice, not just flicking your wrists. It‘s less exhausting.
4. Slice Through the Center
Cutting closer to the middle of each block offers the highest accuracy.
5. Play Easier Songs First
Get skills down on Normal before moving up to Hard and Expert. Baby steps!
Take breaks every few songs to avoid fatigue. Most importantly, have fun dancing to the beat!
What Does the Future Hold for Beat Saber?
Beat Saber shows no signs of slowing down. Here are just a few possibilities on the horizon:
More high profile music collaborations and partnerships
New gameplay modes, tournaments, and challenges
Built-in fitness tracking for calories burned and heart rate
Cross-play multiplayer between VR platforms
Expanded social features and avatar customization
Potential releases for upcoming VR headsets like PSVR 2
While the core block slashing action will stay the same, there are plenty of ways Beat Games can continue evolving this hit title in fresh ways as VR technology advances. The future looks bright!
Should You Buy Beat Saber in 2024?
Let‘s recap – is Beat Saber still an essential VR purchase even if you have to pay full price?
Absolutely! This iconic rhythm game has stayed at the top of VR sales charts for good reason. Intuitive gameplay makes it fun for all skill levels, yet takes practice to master.
The base game plus unlimited custom songs provide endless replay variety. And it remains one of the best VR showpieces to impress sceptical friends and family.
Between a great workout, thrilling action, and the joy of dancing to the music, Beat Saber delivers an exhilarating experience that no other VR game can match. Don‘t miss out on the lightsaber fun!
So grab those controllers and prepare to slash some beats, my friend. I‘ll see you on the leaderboards!
