DC Universe Online was launched less than a year ago as a massively multiplayer PC and PS3 game using the super hero-based DC Universe as its setting. The game used the traditional monthly subscription model for revenue. But today the game"s developer and publisher Sony Online Entertainment has announced that the game will offer players a free-to-play option later in October. In a chat with IGN, the game"s executive product Lorin Jameson claims the reason for the switch is not due to the game losing players. He says, "In terms of "Is it a result in a drop in subs" – absolutely not. This is the right business model. If I can be honest, the game ended up costing a lot more than we thought it would, and this was our preferred business model from day one."
The official DC Universe Online web site has the details on the three levels of membership that the game will have in October. The free players will be able to access much of the game"s content while players who have paid $5 or more for any of the game"s content will be named as Premium members. They will get access to extra character and inventory slots and more. Players who stick with the $14.99 per month subscription plan will be able to access DC Universe Online as a Legendary member. Those gamers will get all of the game"s future DLC content for free along with more features. People who purchased lifetime memberships for the game will still be able to play the game as a Legendary player.