DC Universe Online to Offer Free-to-Play Option by Late October

DC Universe Online from Sony Online Entertainment will be receiving a new pricing plan come late October.  Indeed, the MMO will be joining the ranks of Team Fortress 2, Age of Conan, and copious others in the rapidly growing Free-to-Play marketplace.  There will be three tiers of payment options that offer varying amounts of content based on expenditure.  The Free membership level will include all current content available for the game.  Players in this level will recieve two characters slots, as well as the ability to join a league.  They will however have limited inventory slots and powers at their disposable.  

The Premium level allows players to have more slots for characters and inventory, and gives them access to a higher cash threshold.  It will be fairly easy to reach this level, as just having purchased the disc grants you access to this tier, or spending $5 on in-game items will bestow the same benefits.  For those who are truly adventurous, the Legendary level, grants acess to all DLC, over 15 character slots, and the ability to form unrestricted-sized leagues.  The Legendary level costs $14.99 a month, and is the best fit for those who want to get the most out of the game.

With many MMO's going Free-to-Play these days, DC Universe Online is hoping to use microtransactions to entice players.  There is no denying, with World of Warcraft sitting idly by in the corner waiting to pounce on the competition,  that this pricing plan is a strategic motion to position the game to broader audience appeal.  With the different tiers of membership, the goal for Sony Online Entertainment is to catch gamers with free content, and turn that around into a monthly subscription. Business aside, the Free-to-Play model does serve well for those who have never played an MMO and want to experience one at no risk to their bank account.  For the avid MMO players out there, does this multi-tiered approach appeal to you at all?  Do you think you'll give DC Universe Online a try give the "no-cost" of entry?