DC Universe Online Going Free-To-Play

According to IGN, DC Universe Online (our review) will be moving to a free-to-play model for both PC and PS3 version in October. Three tiered levels will produce revenue for Sony Online Entertainment along with microtransactions. The levels are:

  • 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 (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 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.

The auto-renew payment plan will cease in October and anyone with a lifetime subscription will keep their privileges. We’ve had no official confirmation from SOE, so we will reach out for comment.

UPDATE: The news is now official, mentioned on the US PS Blog.

Source: IGN

43 Comments

  1. Would seem like a good way of doing it, if it’s true. May even pick it up and give it a whirl – I’m always put off by games which you have to pay a subscription for, I think it would make me feel guilty whenever I played anything else.

  2. Question is: Would you need to be on a higher level to be able to get the platinum??

    On another note, i may actually be interested in this if it does go free. :)

    • same here could see myself paying a fiver at the least to play it.

  3. Are they just making it free because nobody plays it anymore though? If that’s the case then I won’t be getting it. Like trying to play TF2 on PS3, it’s just awful and empty.

    • i am sure once it goes free to play, there will be plenty of people on it, regardless of how it is now :)

    • There are plenty of people who still play on a daily basis, though the majority are Lv. 30s doing endgame stuff.

      • there are about 8 on my PSN friends list play it.

  4. I was literally just on the PSN store about to take out another 90 day sub when I saw this. Roll on October.

  5. Hmm might be interested now…

    • Oooh, I was assuming it would still cost to get the software, but that they were removing the subscription. Seeing as its going to be free to download as well, will definitely have to give it a go.

  6. Will give this a go since you can get it for free i was always interested but i don’t like paying a monthly fee to play a game

  7. Free-to-play got me well into TF2, so much so, I’ve probably spent more money in that game than I Valve would’ve charged for it! So this is certainly a good idea.

  8. My question is this:
    Will people who’ve already bought the game automatically get the ‘premium’ level access? Those who have a lifetime sub get the legendary access automatically.

    At the moment it reads that those who purchased the game and subscribed (monthly/quarterly/yearly) are getting shafted by it going free to play.

    • I’m pretty sure that anyone who has paid £5 or more in the past will automatically get the Premium access. Presumably this discounts any poor soul who buys the game between now and the Free-to-Play launch but doesn’t pay for a subscription.

    • Anyone who has ever spent $5 or more, be it through subscriptions, or in-game Marketplace purchases (which the EU is only getting tomorrow), will get Premium level for life.
      Anyone who is currently subscribed on the day it switches to F2P will get Legendary status for the remainder of their original paid subscription.

      PS – anyone thinking of downloading the free PSN version who has strict download caps on their broadband, beware – my installed Game Data is currently 17Gb. Might be better to grab a cheap disc copy :)

  9. Just when I thought this autumn couldn’t get any better, i’m getting a copy for sure.
    h:)ppy days.

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