Rumor: PSN Plus Will Cover Your DC Universe Online Fee

DualShockers writes, "Word is coming in from a live feed at Newsarama that Sony Online Entertainment has just dropped a bomb on the potential MMO gaming world of PS3. Apparently if you are a member of PlayStation Plus Newsarama is reporting that you will not be paying any monthly fee for the beat-em-up massive online multi-player title DC Universe Online which was nominated for a Best in Show award by DualShockers at E3 2010 (see here). Could it be that Sony Online Entertainment will be making this a standard practice for their MMO titles as suggested by our previous editorial on the matter....."

[GameTavern]

I mean on paper this makes sense as a gamer, but if you are Sony, you see it as losing a net of about 70 bucks a year.

So guess it depends on which is more important to them.

[PSfan09]

well these are the same people that doesn't charge for online. If it was the other company (you know) that charges for online, this rumor wouldnt even exist

[GameTavern]

Well I mean you can't say they DON'T charge for online when they have announced already gonna charge you for DC Universe ONline, it really becomes whether they will include the cost in PSN Plus or on top of it.

[SeanRL]

You're allowed to say microsoft.

[gamerzBEreal17]

YOU DARE SPEAK THERE NAMES!!

[Persistantthug]

SEIZE HIM!!!!

:P

[OneSneakyMofo]

SOE has always charged for their games, but this is a cross-product between PCs and PS3s so this rumor might be true.

[badz149]

dude, DCU online is an MMO game and most MMO out there (the popular ones especially on PC) have fees! this is not your usual game and only M$ charge for usual game to be played online on XBL.

[Sheikh Yerbouti]

At the very least, they should have the first three months free. They probably know that the fee would turn off a lot of gamers who are not accustom to playing MMO's...like myself.

Waiving the fee for PSN+ members will ensure more sales, enough to offset the money lost in the initial three months. Remember PC gamers will still have to pay.

[HolyOrangeCows]

"DualShockers contacted Sony Online Entertainment directly for official word and the answer is that this information is absolutely false"

:(

[sikbeta]

"4:06 -To clarify, that's PlayStation Plus. If you are a member of the new PSN + you won't need an additional subscription. That suddenly makes that $50 PSN + fee a lot more attractive."

"4:38 - as for the pricing ... a Sony Online Entertainment rep says the guy on the panel misspoke.

Initial subscription fee for PC users is $49.99 per month; for Sony PS3 players, it's $59.99. that comes with a free 30-day subscription.

After that, it will cost PC & PS3 users the same monthly subscription fee, $14.99 per ....

sorry for the confusion."

http://www.newsarama.com/ga...

:(

[WildArmed]

Highly improbable.
This is just one of those things that everybody creates a rumor about but really isn't true..
Like PS3 getting x-game chat in Sept 2007..
remember all those articles?
Yeah, it's all rumors based on fan-fantasy.

Sorry, but this ain't happening!
(but if it does~ BAM Im in)

[N4BmpS]

Yeah Sony is risking a great loss but this could be what pushes PSN+ over the "is it worth it?" hurdle. If PSN+ is going to cover this a lot of MMO players and PS3 owners could jump on this.

But it is a big risk but it could ultimately pay off.

@below: Yeah I see where you're coming from (on both sides). But in addition to attracting MMO players, I think it would boost a more positive image for PSN+ (if this is true).

[Raf1k1]

It would certianly make me want to get it for PS3 instead of PC but then again it's an MMO so I would be more comfortable playing it on PC anyway.

[The Great Melon]

Although I think MMOs are better played on the PC, Sony just might get me to purchase Playstation Plus. I never buy MMOs because of the monthly fee, but if I were to pay just one service fee for every game I might consider buying the game and Playstaion Plus.

[KillerPwned]

I think that if sony belives in themselves that they can afford this and cover the lost costs. It will be done no questions asked.

[ChronoJoe]

Unless they'll sell stuff in game too, via microtransaction.

Then boosting the in-game population, will increase these sales and offset subscription losses.

That, alongside how MMOs actually don't cost much to run - at all, and don't require there subscription fees to be ran. As some believe. The subscription fees on most MMOs are almost entirely net profit. So if Sony are charging for the DCUO disc they will most likely turn a profit from the retail sales alone, and further by boosting PS+ subscriptions - although not as much as if people were subscribing to the game seperately. Of course.

[Christopher]

Extremely unlikely unless it's a very limited subscription. Say it covers only one character slot. Even that is extremely unlikely.

MMOs have huge development and upkeep costs, that's why they have the monthly fees.

[raztad]

If true this will provide a very nice initial bump to DCU sales/userbase on PS3, while at the same time PS+ userbase grows tremendously. Sony can profit from it using a microtransaction system like in HOME/Free Realms.

Lets face it. DCU is not gonna be very popular on PS3 if we have to pay $15/month.

[Imperator]

I would say it's more likely a discount. I doubt it will be completely fee free for Plus Subscribers.

[jeseth]

So far I've been really liking the PS+ service. Lots of free wallpapers, avatars, themes, and now demos. The discounted PSN games are also nice. If DC Universe is free with PS+ I'll buy it!

[Hitman0769]

Definitely a hard call to say if it will lose or gain them cash, but as a gamer I really don't care about all that.

I am hoping this pans out since I can't see myself picking up this MMO with a monthly fee and I really want to play! It looks awesome!

[playstation_clan]

psn plus memberships will go sky rocketing. Those same people will say "cross game whatt?"

This is the most exciting news i heard today, tbh

[iiprotocolii]

Agreed. Taking into consideration that DCUO sells extremely well (which I don't doubt), this is definitely great news. People who have played the game have said that the game has been amazing. Can't wait to get my hands on it.

[RyuDrinksTheDew]

agreed, this would get me to purchase PSN+.

[Simon_Brezhnev]

same here if this true i'll get PSN + now.

[UnwanteDreamz]

As would I

[herukuti]

i would hop on the bandwagon too; but i rap so i dont carry instruments.

[sikbeta]

IF this is true, count me in, I'll not lose time and will pay for PS+, I'll do it anyway...

[Sharingan_no_Kakashi]

With PS+ the only thing they CAN do is make money because all the free games and add ons and discounts are for content that has already turned a profit for them. The money from PS+ is enough to cover the DCU subscription fees.

[ingiomar]

That is highly unlikely unless they are not planning to expand or update the game and they would be losing lots of potential money.

If it does happen i consider this kind-off a good step in the direction of mmo's on consoles even if it means the game won't change

[ZombieAutopsy]

They would lose money from the PS side of things i suppose but PC they'd prolly make alot of money and i'm sure the game will do better sales and subscription wise on PC.

[NYC_Gamer]

so whats paying for the updates?

[PSfan09]

if they forget everything they put in + like the minis, game, discounts, and focus the option on this then it'll pay for it

[mrv321]

Expansions etc, the cost of the game. TF2 has constant update yet it's free to play.

There's plenty of free-to-play MMO's on a microtransaction basis.

[ZombieAutopsy]

PC gamers most likely.

[DA_SHREDDER]

No game is worth paying 180 bucks a year for. I dont get why mmo's charge so much. I mean, if 1 million people paid 2 dollars a month for a mmo game, than thats 2 million dollars that are used to keep the servers up and running. I think those high charges is why mmo's will never be successful on consoles unless they stop being greedy and charge only whats needed to run the servers.

Okay, so charge 3 dollars a month to have some extra pocket money, but 15 bucks a month? Thats a slap in the face if you ask me. And honestly fees dont even make sense with all these free mmo's out. How in the hell do they get away with charging in the first place? Oh yeah, I forgot, Blizzard's business model ruined pc and console games. Death to Actiblizzard!

[taz8080]

That is the going rate for MMOs today and everyone accepts it because of the constant updates and balancing. So many players accept this model that any MMO that comes out will go the same route so it would be huge for Sony to go this route.

[JonnyBigBoss]

I know most people here are console gamers and aren't into MMOs, but trust me, if you tried an MMO thoroughly you'd also see why they're so popular. Whenever I get into an MMORPG (Eve Online, FFXI, WoW) I only play that game unless friends are over since it's so much more enjoyable than the other games available. It makes justifying $15/month very easy.

[ZeroX9876]

if that's the case, then great move sony! that's another lot of great support for your customers.

[meiamsome]

I find it hard to see how this could be a viable option for sony. For this reason I think that this is a lie.

[DrDreadlox]

I wasn't planning on getting this game, and I'm kind of on the fence with ps+. However, this deal will definitely make me subscribe and I'm sure millions of ps3 owners are in the same boat.

The end results are that there are a whole lot more players and a whole lot more people subscribing to ps+. Most people only play MMOs when new content comes out so during other times revenue is lost. There are also advantages for players, you don't feel compelled to spend your whole life playing because there is no monthly subscription.

[MajestieBeast]

Hell cutting it to 7.50 would be great already pay half plus all the extra plus offers would still be a good deal.

[capjacksparrow]

If this is true, any money they don't make on the PS3 version, they make on the PC version. So they'll get people to pay the monthly fee if they don't want PS+ on PS3, and they'll get the PC players money. All the while, building up their PS+ user base and bringing them to see what neat stuff you get beside free subscription to an MMO.

[S_C]

Since Seeing A Few Trailers And Gameplay Videos Recently I Have Wanted To Buy This One But The Monthly Payment Put Me Off Alot, But As I Am A PS+ Member If The News Is True Ill Definatly Be Getting This, Looks Like The PS+ Memberships Will Be Rolling In For Sony =D

[taz8080]

Agreed. This could prove to be huge for this title and draw a lot of players that may have passed on it. DCUO could get a huge following now which will make it very cool to play with others.

[gamerzBEreal17]

this would be so smart

[KillerPwned]

Hopefully this comes true i will deff get a copy of the game then.

[MikeTyson]

That would justify the purchase of PSN +, because as of now, PSN + offers nothing but small "deals" and what not.

[Silly gameAr]

If true, this will add to the value that PS+ already offers. If it's true that is.

[MajestieBeast]

I still hope for a plus beta of dc online.

[ShadyDevil]

You go to the DCU web site and you can sign up for the beta. You dont have to wait for PSN+. Or if your at comic con you can get one easily they are giving them away like candy.

[Godmars290]

I can see them offering a $5 discount, applying it to other MMOs, but flat out making it "free?"

[labaronx]

this is the second time i've heard this rumor, while im getting the game i dont see me keeping it past 4 months at 14.99....

a psn+ discount of $5 dollars instantly makes psn+ worth the price and then some.....

as for money lost, im sure i read somewhere that there would be, micro-transactions (standard in mmo), product placement and ad support, and expansions, so a discount wouldn't really hurt at all....

only time will tell

[Griefy]

Since the PS3 and PC servers will be separate, it may be entirely possible for this to happen. This means that the PS3 users will more than likely get content less frequently than PC users but I'm not gonna be happy if this degrades the user population. :( Not enough people online = not happy.

[shink]

If they offered a discount for members or if it was free, that would be great.
I would definitely subscribe if this was true.

[callahan09]

I'm very interested in the game either way. I just might end up playing 2 MMOs this year, with this and FFXIV. I am a PlayStation Plus member, but I wanted to get this game on PC. Would I end up getting it for free? Or would I need to get the PS3 version to get it free (assuming this is even real)? If it's only free to PS+ members for the PS3 version, I'd actually get the PS3 version.

[The Milkman]

That would awesome if they also paid for FFXIV online fee if this is true.

[maxcer]

lol keep dreaming

[sunkissed]

This sucks. I'm not amused by the fact they let some one say it's included in PSN+ then went back on their word ">_<"

[Nbmaster]

I hope the fee is including in PSN+. It should be IMO.
let us just hope for the best.

[dkgshiz]

I'm a PSN+ member and this would be good for me. Either way I'm getting the game no matter what.

[silvacrest]

same

[liveActionLeveler]

I wish it would cover FFXIV's online fees... :(

[Spenok]

Lol that would be nice, but that too, would never happen.

[hatchimatchi]

15.00 a month?

No thanks

I'm really starting to regret my ps+ and qore subscription.

[EXID]

waiting to get good internet before i get psn+, but a pretty nice addition if this turns out to be true.

[Dogswithguns]

That is a great deal....

[Spenok]

Damnit Dualshockers if your supposed to be journalists then at LEAST get PS+ right.... Its NOT PSN+, Its PS+.