If you dig spandex, cowls, and capes, there’s some good news coming your way today. Sony Online Entertainment has stated that their superhero MMO offering, DC Universe Online, will be going free to play, likely as early as next month. If you’ve been wanting to give the game a try, but haven’t wanted to commit to the monthly fee or box purchase, this will give you that option since the game client will also be available for download.
The free to play model that SOE is suggesting is somewhat interesting. They claim that it will not be possible for players to spend real money to buy high end items or experience games. What you will be able to spend money on, along with the possibility of things like inventory expansion and character slots, are future updates to the game. Additionally, SOE has announced that even the completely free version of the game will still provide access to all of the current content the game has, and only future updates will come at a price.
New players to the game will start out listed under the “free” tier. This will give them access the following benefits:
“…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.”
That’s actually decently significant. What’s more, once you spend at least $5 on the game – or were a previous subscriber – you’ll gain additional character slots, more inventory space, and the ability to have more in-game currency at one time. The top teir can pay the $14.99 a month and receive even more character slots, more inventory space, the ability to form larger leagues (guilds), and will have all of the game’s DLC unlocked automatically. Existing lifetime subscribers will be automatically upgraded to this teir.
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