Sony Online Entertainment have today announced that upcoming MMO, DC Universe Online, will release on January 11th in the States and three days later in EU territories. The PlayStation 3 version will go on sale at an RRP of $59.99 (forty quid) with a monthly subscription rate of a tenner. SOE have yet to comment on whether subscription bundles will be available, and if PlayStation Plus members will receive an exclusive discount. However, they have come forward to announce a lifetime subscription which will cost a hefty $200 (roughly £150.)
DC Universe Online is the first ever subscription-based MMO to launch on the PlayStation. No one is a fan of monthly bills, especially console gamers, though SOE are confident that DCUO will garner a strong membership, as Chris Cao explained to IGN:
A little over a decade ago, people questioned subscription fees on a PC. They’d never played an MMO before and they weren’t sure why they’d pay monthly to play it. Then they stepped into those first worlds, lived online, and came to realize that the experience was worth the expense. The same thing is going to happen on the PS3. People are always willing to pay for good games, especially when they continue to grow and change. We’ve made a great game in DCUO and we’re going to keep adding to it with each and every update.
Information regarding in-game trophies has also been published, including 10 gold, 2 silvers and of course a prestigious platinum trophy:
The Queen’s Favorite (Gold)
Achieve level 30 as a villain mentored by Circe.
Criminal Mastermind (Gold)
Achieve level 30 as a hero mentored by Lex Luthor.
The Joker in the Deck (Gold)
Achieve level 30 as a villain mentored by the Joker.
Knight for Justice (Gold)
Achieve level 30 as a hero mentored by Batman.
Warrior of Truth (Gold)
Achieve level 30 as a hero mentored by Wonder Woman.
Champion of Earth (Gold)
Achieve level 30 as a hero mentored by Superman.
Acrobatic Ace (Gold)
Achieve level 30 as an acrobat.
Fearless Flier (Gold)
Achieve level 30 as a flier.
Speedster Supreme (Gold)
Achieve level 30 as a speedster.
Tanks Very Much (Silver)
Achieve level 10 as and gain the Tank Role.
Mission Control (Silver)
Achieve level 10 as and gain the Controller Role.
The Healing Touch (Silver)
Achieve level 10 as and gain the Healer Role.
Platinum Pace (Gold)
Earn a platinum medal in any race.
Platinum Trophy (Platinum)
Earn every other Trophy in the game.
Source: IGN
Zephyre
Any word on how it’s being collected? If it’s coming off your PSN wallet there’s always deals for PSN cards – usually £18 for the £20 cards, so worth keeping an eye out in the sales.
If it’s coming off a credit/debit card then ignore the above :)
adamguest1985
Interesting point.
Kevling
It’s PSN Wallet. The PSBlog says they can’t currently offer the lifetime subscription for PS3 because the price exceeds the wallet limit…
adamguest1985
Why not launch the disc at say £25 with a £10 monthly charge, making, in effect, the first month free (compared to the retail price of most games)?
Or include a DLC “VIP Code” in new purchases for 30 days free perhaps?
This would help get people hooked, and increase uptake, surely?
Another viable plan would be a “special edition” which is the disc, usual collectors tat, and a lifetime sub – again, this would have to be supplied on a “one use” code basis.
Kevling
The game *does* come with the first month free…
adamguest1985
Well that makes me look like an idiot.
GTRsannin
I don’t see my self paying monthly fees for games that i’ve already bought and paid for and it would mean i would have to play this game every single day so it would pay back the money i use in it and that is a problem because i’m already trying to think how am i going to play GT5 and Mass Effect 2 at the same time next month or all the other good games that are coming out next year probably have to start thinking how to grow another pair of hands so i can play them both at the same time :D
E8_BALL_
beta user:
they have a hell of alot work needs done
graphical bugs, freezing, lag & sound jumping from high to low even no sound at times
E8_BALL_
Q. How can they guarantee they will be running this for life
ans…
lets say they counldnt afford or chose not to keep staff lvls to suport this.
what would happen to ur life sub then?
forgive, new to mmo, do pc mmo s offer lifetime sub also
Jim H [Teabags]
There are other MMOs with lifetime subscriptions, though I haven’t signed up for one, myself.
E8_BALL_
im at a dilemma as to what to do
i need more info, pricing vague atm & more details as to what these updates will incl
they need to iron a mass of bugs to even make a jan release date
not in a fit state atm, tbh i wd have stuck to march
(my money on anything after jan for release)
E8_BALL_
no bugs, lag, map extensions & stick a 0 or 00 on that lvl30
& guess theyd have a life subscriber
(discount for p+ too wd be a bonus, which i was expecting)
MXZ
The game looks impressive but i just dont have the money for it and a subscription.
which is a shame because if Sony could create a free MMO (besides the actually purchase of the disc of course) then it could grab some great attention.
oh well, theres enough (one paymeant) PS3 games coming next year so not getting this one wont be too annoying
lukieboy1981
I do not like the idea of a monthly subscription, this paves the way for other games to do it. After playing the beta I do like it but can’t see how they can justify the charge.