Pow, Biff, Ka-Ching: DC Universe Online Goes Free-to-Play

Posted 09/19/2011 at 9:24pm | by Nathan Grayson

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We're expectantly awaiting the day when a developer fires off a press release about how it's choosing to not embrace free-to-play and make festive hats from its formidable riches. “We just... we really don't need that much money,” it'll read. “We put a lot of effort into this game and all, but our bank people are kind of mean and we have a headache.” That day, however, is not today. Instead, SOE has decided to dress DC Universe in its finest outside underwear and trot it out to the free-to-play market.

"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," SOE president John Smedley said in a statement. "We've listened to our community, and we've determined that the free-to-play model is the best fit for DC Universe Online."

As with many free-to-play MMOs, DC Universe is adopting a multi-tiered system based on how much and how frequently you want to pay. There's a handy chart with the full details here, but the gist is that Free gives you access to the game as it is now, Premium's slightly nicer and for people who've spent at least $5 before, and Legendary's an all-access pass that'll have you turning to a life of (incredibly minor) crime to support your subscription lust.

So then, itching to run, fly, or perhaps even gallivant about with thousands of other players, but don't have much cash? Well, you've lucked out: In the world of MMOs, beggars can be choosers. Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons and Dragons, Age of Conan, Champions Online, DC Universe – the list goes on. So, have you recently decided to dive into an MMO because it went free-to-play?