DC Universe Online Adopting Free-to-Play Model This October
Comic book fans hesitant to jump on the all-too-expensive MMO bandwagon have reason to be excited, as Sony Online Entertainment has just announced that DC Universe Online will be going free-to-play this October.
A total of three tiers will be introduced: Free, Premium and Legendary. Starting late October, gamers will be able to download and have access to the game (via PC or PS3) completely free of charge. If players would like to experience more of what the universe has to offer, they can invest in either Premium or Legendary, but the free option will still provide open world gameplay, plenty of quests and updates.
Here’s a full breakdown of the three pricing tiers:
Free: New players will now have access to the current gameplay in DC Universe Online (including Gotham City, Metropolis, and all current raids and alerts), with the ability to create two characters, join a league and many other benefits. Free level players will be able to purchase downloadable game packs/updates, additional character slots, powers and more through microtransactions.
Premium: Any player who has spent at least $5 USD (including former paid subscribers and new players who have purchased $5 of in-game items) will qualify for the Premium access level. Premium level players will have more benefits available to them than the Free level player, including additional character slots, additional inventory slots, and higher cash limits. Downloadable adventure packs, additional character slots, and more can be purchased in-game.
Legendary: Maximum features and benefits are included at this level. Loaded with enhanced additional features, Legendary access will be available for a $14.99 USD monthly fee and includes all DLC packs at no cost, more than 15 character slots, more than 80 inventory slots, the ability to form unrestricted-sized leagues, and many other benefits.
John Smedley, President, Sony Online Entertainment said:
When we launched DC Universe Online, we introduced a very different brand of massive online game driven by fast action combat to PC and PS3 gamers and with that, we discovered a new type of online gamer. We’ve listened to our community, and we’ve determined that the free-to-play model is the best fit for DC Universe Online.
Our philosophy embraces learning from our experience and as a pioneer in the free-to-play space with proven successful games like Free Realms and Clone Wars Adventures, we believe this new model will expand the DCUO experience and offer more options that cater to every type of player so they can play the game in a way that fits them.
If you’ve been on the fence about DC Universe Online, this is the perfect time to jump in and give it a try.
7 Responses to “DC Universe Online Adopting Free-to-Play Model This October”
Trophy Hunters, don’t get too excited. Trophies still only available to ‘Legendary’ members, not even ‘Premium’ get them. However, he did say “… you will still retain any trophies you have earned in the game.’ That begs me to wonder if we can get the trophies on Free, buy a one month subscription and then unlock those Trophies… Guess we’ll find out next month.
Sweet. Now I can finally give this game a try. I don’t believe in paying a monthly fee for playing A game online. On top of that it cost more than Netflix.
This COULD be great and amazing depending on how everything actually is, we’ll find out in October. “gamers will be able to download and have access to the game (via PC or PS3) completely free of charge” it does say right there you can download the game on the PS3 for free right? It does it right there, I will definetly try this game out, I was interested in this game but overpricing everywhere and some people said they felt like they alreasdy beat it which shouldn’t happen in a RPG, SOE didn’t keep their word on the massive free support (DLC, expansions, etc) and that it’s overpriced for what you get. But now I’ll defiently give it a try.
To all those people that paid for the game and service when it first came out, I have to ask; How do you feel?
Well they’ve been playing the game for a while , if anything this is almost like a free trial/demo of the game to attract new members to the game. I’ll have to check it out to see how it is and if it’s worth paying for.
hello …
as someone who bought, sorry pre-ordered the PS3 version, tried the beta (in vain) & now having a sick PS3 while the code can be used only once …
well the game is still unwrapped since the beginning
…
1st because the telly is shared & to get into MMOs i bought City of Heroes on PC & 1 year after still playing CoH every night
2nd the 1 time use of the code, made me wait till 1st i could claim back 30 Gb ioff my PS3, 2nd I could find more money to play 2 MMOs / month, 3rd get a new PS3 since the 1st 1 have some issues.
3rd I even try to sell the PS3 version to buy a PC version but in vain … now it’s the time i do have both. My Rs 2K valued DCUO PS3 may remained unwrapped forever … I enjoy other games on the console but MMOs needs too much time.
I’m so happy now can at least try the game on PC & later on on on PS3 if i get a new 1 + new (3D TV?! hehe!) …
Thank you SONY !
cheers!
hello /re …
in fact i meant ‘still wrapped’ instead of ‘unwrapped’ for i always make this mistake
sorry for the inconveniences
cheers!