DCUO Release Date And Pricing Revealed, But Will The Subscription Fees Scare Console Players Away?

This is where I think SOE is making a critical miscalculation as far as pricing goes, console gamers are not like PC gamers and they can't be treated as such. While I'm sure that the universe that SOE intends to build is more than worth that amount, I just don't think console gamers will respond to it and that could force DCUO to go the way of APB.

[OGharryjoysticks]

"Will The Subscription Fees Scare Console Players Away?"

I'm not getting it because of it. Maybe if I didn't have a bunch of other games to play I would, but the days spent playing other games would be a waste of money. But it's not the first time I dealt with this type of problem. I felt the same way about my Gold membership on XBL too. That's one of the reasons I kept my 360 as long as I did because I paid for the year and selling the system with time left on my membership was a waste of money even though I hated it. Don't fall for the trap of membership fees.

[Death2494]

Me too. As fun as it was. I'm not shelling $60 out then after a month pay $15. You need a dedicated install base before you want to start charging for it.

[blackbeld]

I agree. No game deservers monthly payments. Bought the game and pay monthly fees? WTF.

I enjoyed the Beta DC Universe a lot. But Monthly fees is crazy.

[BISHOP-BRASIL]

Yup, considering you pay 60 bucks up front they should give 4 month for free, that would be a deal to break into console gamers nerve.

Fact is console gamers aren't that membership friendly unless you are trowing some really big features exclusive for paying members (as in online multiplayer in Live) or a bucketload of content (like PS+ gave away since release more than 100 dollars content for with 6~7 months still to go).

As a console gamer, I expect to have the complete experience at 60 bucks a game, I don't even like most DLC I see around. Expect me to pay 60 dollars for a game I can only play for a month unless I pay more and you gonna be disappointed... I rather buy a single player game which I can replay as much as I want, not even mentioning other multiplayer games where I can easily clock over 100h.

[Death2494]

For those disagreeing,

Look the reason why I say you need to make sure you have a dedicated install base is because you don't want to pay the lifetime membership fee and the servers go down before you actually get your money's worth. Why do you think on PC MMOs, it's free to download and install. If they end up discounting it for PSplus subscribers. I reached the level cap on the 3rd day of the beta. It's seriously addictive.

[ThanatosDMC]

They should just put ads in the game especially in downtown Metropolis and all the places where they could easily put an ad. I havent really explored Gotham past the Pillars of Hades outside the safe zone.

[Statix]

I'm sure there are MMO fans out there who will think the $15/mo fee is worth it; if not for this game, then for MMOs in general. But me personally, I don't play MMOs just because I think they'd be a big waste of my time, or become an unhealthy habit.

Let me put it this way: I don't want to get into something that's both a big drain on my time, AND I have to pay a steep monthly fee to have my time drained.

[Keith Olbermann]

I'll be getting it. $60 for the game and a month of play in which I will be playing a lot of in that month. The hours of entertainment I get in that month will justify that..now I may take a month off here and there but $15 for a month of playing after isnt too bad. I just hope they give plus people a discount or I wont be playing as often.

[thatruth2006]

That's what I'm thinking. I just don't think that SOE is making a compelling enough case right now for the price they want to charge. Maybe they can come up with some kind of guarantee, but otherwise I don't think this will end well. I must note that I am in the beta and enjoy it a lot though. But free and $15 a month is very different and in this economic environment no less.

[Simon_Brezhnev]

I love the game but how buggy the beta is i think they need to polish and push it back to February. PSN + should get a discount or something. I just hate the fact that this game is cheaper on PC i know most games are but this is a subscription based game and the price should be the same.

[BlackTar187]

i agree with the pc getting it cheaper. This is a game with a monthly fee its kind of annoying there gonna charge the full$60 and PC at $50.

Yes i know PC games are always $50 and vice versa this one just seems like it deserves a exception.

[YourFlyness]

PC gamers maybe, maybe not.
PS3 gamers for sure, if they are smart they will waive the sub for PS+ members.

[Wizziokid]

I'm a PSN+ subscriber so I would hope to see a discount or something, I think I might just wait for SW:TOR, yes you have to pay monthly for that but I think, from what I have seen, it will be worth the money more than DCUO.

The beta is great and I am enjoying it but I can't see myself playing for too long before getting bored.

[emekcrash]

Wait, is TOR coming to the PS3?

[Wizziokid]

No, never said it was coming to PS3

[YourFlyness]

no

[YourFlyness]

why the disagree, TOR isnt coming to PS3

[Vherostar]

Hmm waive a $15 a month sub for $50 a year?? how does that make sense? That just won't happen... Maybe a discount though.. That would be nice..

[YourFlyness]

because Sony is not Activision or Microsoft. You know how much money they are given away in discounts and free games every money anyway? Im sure they can swing $15 for more people signing up tp PS+ who will but more games at discount price. Gotta take risk

[Vherostar]

No because everybody will just sign up to PS+ instead of getting a sub. It totally negates the whole point of a sub.

[ThatCanadianGuy]

Buying it day one.Beta is a blast and incredibly addictive.$15 a month? Meh, so i'll cut back two packs of smokes a month.Problem solved.

[Sitris]

why not quit? Save all that money and spend it on games, thats my addiction.

[Gen0ne]

Two packs is 15 bucks!? Yeah, quit.

[Redempteur]

I'm still thinking ..

i have a bunch of other games and while i'm aware that this game is quite good ( my only complain is the random freezes )

i have so many games already ...( planned ).
Had the price been lower i wouldn't even have hesitated

[Raendom]

I love the beta. I would definitely pay a subscription for it, but I at least hoped for some exclusive PSN+ deal... :(

[Sitris]

No way, if your an MMO fan, which this game is targeted to, then you will pay. I am an MMO fan, played WOW, Eve, GW, LOTRO and Runescape. Now i game more on PS3, i am used to micro-transactions and fees, neither bother me. MMOs are worth every penny i pay. More hours of enjoyment than a full game lasting me a whole month! For only 15? Easy day one buy from me.

[koehler83]

FFXI still thrives on console with an above average sub fee.

Fact is, people who like these games are well aware of the sub fees and are long since over them.

So maybe it's about time everyone else get over it. No one cares whether you play or not, I assure you. And subscription models still fare much better than alternatives.

$15 a month for a gamer who is devoted to a single game for months and years on end save a lot more money than your average 1-shot gamer buying a new game every month or so. It's the best value in gaming if it's your thing.

[Sitris]

Thats exactly right, it is targeted at MMO fans, we love these games, and they save money in the long run. Will I buy all the PS3 exclusives next year? YES! I'm not going to play it for more than a couple of months, and i can have many games operating at one time. 2 hours of KZ3, go play some Dead Space. Then finish of with some DCUO with mates. Next day, uni, play whatever game i feel like! MMOs are some of the best games around, why get annoyed at 15 bucks, thats nothing haha i spend more on lunch every day.

[AssassinHD]

I am generally against subscription fees, but for a constantly changing MMO a subscription fee is not unreasonable.

Console gamers however are not really accustomed to paying a subscription fee for one game (I worded that sentence as diplomatically as I could). It may be off-putting for prospective PS3 players.

I will probably pay it. I have been playing in the beta and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. As long as SOE gives me frequent content updates I think the fee will be justified.

If you think about it, $15 is about what you would pay for a 2 hour movie and popcorn.

[christheredhead]

after playing the beta i am getting the game for sure. i can easily see myself pouring thousands of hours into this game. 15 dollars a month doesnt scare me off. the beta is a blast so ill gladly pay that.

[unicronic]

$15 p/month will definitely limit the audience it will attract on PS3 especially as there will no doubt be enough good full price games to play or buy in the coming months e.g. Mass Effect 2 being just one.

I hope DCUO does well as it is a very attractive license and potentially a great concept. I'll spend some more time with the Beta before making a final decision but as of right now not subscribing.

[Spinal]

I just can't imagine a Good MMO working on consoles. Highlight the word 'Good'

Not to mock this game or anything but good MMO's need alot more than a single Control Pad.

I imagine a game like Daiblo working on consoles but then its more of a dungeon crawler which that work nicely for the consoles.

But as I own a gaming PC an all consoles my MMO platform choice will always be my PC. Cant wait for Guild Wars 2 and Diablo 3.

[emekcrash]

GW2. Ohhhhh yeah...

[Redempteur]

Did you try it ?

Good mmo on console can exist if you adapt it ( the control scheme ) for a gamepad ..
and guess what thats' exactly what DCUo has done

[TukkerIntensity]

I don't like MMOs and I have tried a ton. The ones I've liked the best were LOTRO and WAR.

I'm not really a "comic book" guy.

This game is awesome - on the PS3.

Also the game is not ready for release in January unfortunately. It still has freezing issues and some UI issues. I will gladly pay $15.00 a month for this game when it is ready. It is that good.

[Vherostar]

Me too but getting on PC. It's froze on me twice on ps3 and I have got non console owner friends who are getting PC version. So I wish to play online with them.

[PS3gamer4life]

This 1 of the best mmo games ever have to get it its so fun to play with friends group chat all that

[Sparticus_1]

This game is NOT even close to being good enough to pay to play on a monthly basis. Not to mention this is the beginning of the downfall for gaming. If we have to pay for this one by the month..we will be doing it for any other game we love....this game needs to be boycotted. We already pay 60 bucks as it is just to buy a game..and they want to charge us to play it? NO THANKS!

[TukkerIntensity]

Why is is it NOT even close to being good enough? Have you played it and compared to other pay to play MMOs?

[christheredhead]

i dont think you fully understand the concept of an mmo.

[Sparticus_1]

This is the beginning of the end for video gaming ...if you pay for this junk...then all games are going to want to charge. BOYCOTT!!!!

[christheredhead]

I still don't think you understand the concept of an mmo

[jay2]

Yeah, I'd never buy a game you have to then spend more on by being forst to, thats why I don't have XBL. I've got PS + OUT OF CHOISE for things such as the Auto-updating/patching, reduced priced content and early access. I pay £35 a month for my net, I won't get anouther £50-70 on top of that fir game I'd love to pay be refuse to due to the price. I have asked for XBL for xmas, though.

[peeps]

yes for me i'm affraid. If it was a free to play model or much cheaper than other mmo's then i may have been tempted but i've currently got a subscription to WOW and barely play that so i don't think monthly subscriptions are right for the sort of gamer i am (tend to be playing a large number of games at the same time jumping between them)

[Mikelarry]

Thats the reason im not getting it. love the beta but nah im so used to paying once for a game but for my first mmo experience i do like it ah well

[SeanScythe]

Yeah if it was $5 a month then maybe but $15 is just over priced and on top of that paying $60 for the game also. No Thank You. I just removed the beta 15gbs after I found out it was going to be that much. No point wasting time on something I'm not getting.

[Lirky]

Amazing beta ive been playing this on ps3 for awhile however...

DCU online scared me away because of subscription fees.

[dinkeldinkse]

I know I won't be buying because the subscription fee. I get bored of a game too quickly to warrant paying a subscription fee. After a month or so, I'll only want to play once in while for maybe a couple days straight.

[Jellzy]

I like the BETA, but I'm not sure if I'd be willing to pay full whack for the game then a hefty sub fee on top of that.

I reckon more MMO's should follow in the footsteps of Guild Wars (and GW2), and only charge for the full game and expansions. The fact that it's a great game that was only rivaled by WoW - at the time - just goes to show that Sub based models aren't always the only option.

Anyway this would be less alienating for console users that have never really played an MMO before... Then again FFXI didn't do too bad on consoles.

[lashes2ashes]

just canceled my pre-order. not paying that much per month.

[Lirky]

ffxiv doing bad on ps3 i guess because the quality hurt it rather than the subscription fees.

with dcu online there's quality there 100%, but maybe the subscription fees will or will not hurt it.

@lashes2ashes lol i dont blame you for canceling pre order lol i have a feeling the console version will suffer a horrible fate based on ppl not willing to play 2 pay. Pc version may not be as bad since pc gamers would pay to play this since how most pc games get pirated etc.

[sarshelyam]

I'm not entirely sure why it wouldn't be justified. It's an online MMO, it requires constant server monitoring and manual adaptation, upgrades, fixes, etc.

Let's be honest for a moment. This isn't Final Fantasy XIV...it's not that broken! The other part you need to realized is that even though we're playing in BETA, we're really not playing the game that SOE has in their offices at this moment. We're playing an older build and really only serving to test server stress. How many people can we cram on the servers before things start to explode?

I can justify the price, economic issues or otherwise. Simply put, I can sacrifice one new release title for a 4 month subscription, not to mention it comes with a month for free. That's almost a half a year of gaming for the price of one game I can pick up once it hits the bargain bin...

...yeah, the price really isn't a problem. Open your eyes folks.

[Pillage05]

I've never liked the idea of subscription fees and this will be the only reason I won't pick it up. I can't speak for everyone though.

[Lirky]

The developers probably are pushing the fee service because of how much dialouge and DC comicbook artwork and popularity given inside the game and how well detailed everything from the mini side stories to the main quests and how its an infinite mmorpg.

That's fair enough for Fans to pay 2 play it but i think this game maybe a fan-service pay 2 play game.

[sarshelyam]

Having played the BETA on the PC and PS3 now for a couple months, I can't say that it is. There's far too much obscurity here that some fans simply won't get...so I wouldn't consider that fan service.

They aren't marketing the game as a Superman game, or Batman, Joker, etc. They've made it pretty clear you create your own hero, make your own allegiances and really have fun with it. Having 4 characters across both platforms I have designed some really wonderful heroes, many of which are not at all inspired by DC Heroes or anything of the like.

[BLAKHOODe]

DCUO was one of the main reasons i picked up a PS3 (i don't do PC games), but after playing the beta, i just couldn't get into it.. so, i'm going to pass. i figure they'll discount DCUO pretty quick because of a subscription fee scaring off console gamers. so, you might want to wait 2 or 3 months before you get it.

besides, LittleBigPlanet 2 comes out a week later!

[SuperStrokey1123]

The fees dont bother me too much when you actually examine it, i can see how they could bother someone though. I highly doubt this 9 month issue will happen at all. Lets also remember folks that SOE has a tendancy to support their mmo games for a long ass time.

Look at their past list of mmo games:

Everquest - supported forever
Everquest 2 - still supported
Star War Galaxies - 9 years of support
Matrix Online - 4 years of support
Pirates of teh burning sea - 2 years+ of support
Planet Side - lots of support

It isnt going to just fade away guys. In all honesty the lifetime price could be an unparalleled value in gaming.

SOE simple doesnt abandon its mmo games. It lets them grind on forever.

[Sikct9a]

I've frozen on this game so many times. I hope that gets fixed before the game releases.

[ZombieStalker]

This is the first MMO for the PS3 and I personally think it will do well. I personally loved the Beta, and yes it has its issues, but what MMO doesn't. If this was developed by anyone other than Sony, I would have huge reservations. But Sony based games do very well and get the support they need. Look at MAG and how many updates they have added since the game came out - and MAG doesn't have a monthly fee.

I personally will be picking it up day one. Think about XBL MMO games...you have the XBL Gold membership and then the monthly fees for the MMO game......Exactly!

[Lirky]

Months go by fast, so i think they should consider 49.99 a year if not the game will Be Dead On Arrival.

[Raoh]

newbs

most mmo's are linked to subscription fees.. free to play mmo's are plagued with microtransactions for weapons, upgrades etc which come out to much more money than a monthly fee.. not to mention the newb you end up partying with that bought his gear instead of earning it in game...

people are out to destroy mmorpg's for some reason.. just cause it has the word free in the free to play title does not make it free..

[R_aVe_N]

The fact of the matter is they don't really need PS3 games to support is since it is on PC. SOE has some of the best support from fans out there. Heck they still have to Everquest running after all of these years. The PC gamers out there and there are tons maybe even more than console supporters. It being on the PS3 just gives you another option to play. People fail to see that supporting games like this is not cheap. Why the hell should they give it to you for free?

[KotC]

$15 a month after paying $60 for the game? f**k that I'll stick to single player and multiplayer games.

[Deacon]

You all do know that with the 15 bucks a month, you get monthly updates , new content, and game support every month, right? It's 15 bucks for a reason, not just because Sony wants your monies. The real comic book and/or MMO fans will buy this game and pay the fee. This'll be my first ever MMO and I've been having a blast in the beta. I think it'll be worth the money and aside from that, 15 dollars really isn't a lot in for 30 days of play time. I spent more money in a week in video arcades smashing peoples' heads in MK1 & MK2, Street Fighter, etc (back when they were cool)

[commander]

this game will fail on console if they charge 15 bux on release day. Imo the best way to get console gamers interested is to throw in a built in 2 month subscription to try it out and get them addicted.

[violent80sarcade82]

You can't even use your fav dc superhero plus they want an extra $15 a month? i'm not gonna waste good money on this game