Indie multiplayer shooter Shenaniguns has officially switched to a free-to-play model on Steam. The change gives players a chance to experience its chaotic combat without spending anything upfront.
Developed by young solo developer Coding398, Shenaniguns originally launched on January 19, 2026, for $6.99. After a temporary price reduction to $3.99, the developer made the game completely free on September 30.
The decision could help introduce the game to a much larger audience, especially those looking for something entertaining to play with friends.
Over 100 Ridiculous Weapons to Discover
Shenaniguns is a fast-paced, top-down multiplayer shooter that focuses on unpredictable combat and ridiculous weapons.
Players can choose from more than 100 different items, ranging from traditional firearms to industrial-sized water guns and even tungsten cubes.
Rather than focusing entirely on realistic combat, the game embraces absurdity. Matches can quickly turn into chaotic battles where almost anything becomes a weapon.
Up to eight players can participate in multiplayer matches, making Shenaniguns particularly appealing to smaller gaming communities and groups of friends.
Multiple PvP and PvE Game Modes
Shenaniguns offers several game modes that provide different ways to enjoy its combat mechanics.
These include:
- Free-for-All: Every player fights for themselves in a chaotic battle.
- Team Deathmatch: Work together to eliminate the opposing team.
- Capture the Flag: Steal the enemy flag while protecting your own.
- Clanker Brawler: Another combat-focused mode offering a different experience.
- Boss Fight: A dedicated PvE mode where players cooperate to defeat powerful enemies and earn rewards.
The game also features destructible walls, environmental hazards, and built-in voice chat.
These elements create opportunities for unexpected encounters, especially when players use the environment to their advantage.
Free-to-Play Comes With Some Restrictions
Although Shenaniguns is now free to download and play, not everything is included in the base experience.
Players who want to create private lobbies must purchase a separate DLC priced at $3.99.
This means gaming communities hoping to organize private matches will still need to consider the additional cost.
Cosmetic customization also plays a role in the game’s monetization. Various customization options are available through microtransactions and paid DLC.
Recent updates have introduced additional weapons, maps, and cosmetics, suggesting that the developer intends to continue expanding the experience.
However, whether future updates will introduce additional paid content remains uncertain.
Positive Reviews Despite a Small Community
Despite its relatively limited player base, Shenaniguns has received encouraging feedback on Steam.
More than 90% of its early user reviews have been positive, indicating that players who discovered the game generally enjoyed what it offered.
However, the relatively small number of reviews means that the rating should be viewed with some perspective.
The free-to-play transition could help address one of the biggest challenges facing smaller multiplayer games: attracting enough players to keep matches active.
Removing the initial purchase price makes it easier for groups of friends to try the game together.
Could Free-to-Play Give Shenaniguns a Second Chance?
Shenaniguns shares similarities with games such as Item Asylum, particularly through its unusual weapons and unpredictable combat.
Its transition also resembles the approach taken by Cyberfrags ’69, another chaotic multiplayer shooter that eventually adopted a free-to-play model.
For smaller indie multiplayer projects, accessibility can make a significant difference.
Even a relatively inexpensive purchase price can discourage players from trying an unfamiliar multiplayer game, especially when they are unsure whether enough people are actively playing.
By removing that barrier, Coding398 has given Shenaniguns another opportunity to grow.
At GamingHQ, we always appreciate seeing smaller independent developers experiment with ways to reach more players.
Shenaniguns might not have the marketing budget of a major multiplayer release, but its unusual weapons, varied game modes, and chaotic gameplay could make it worth checking out.
And considering the base game is now free, there is little reason not to give it a try.
