DC Universe Online F2P launch set for November 1

Last month, Sony Online Entertainment announced that its massively multiplayer online role-playing game DC Universe Online will introduce a free-to-play option on top of its current subscription-based model.

At the time, SOE executive producer Lorin Jameson said the new scheme was not in response to a drop in subscribers, but rather a chance to implement a business model envisioned from day one of development.

Today, SOE announced that the free-to-play option will become available from November 1 for PC and PlayStation 3 players. The announcement came via a live video stream with DC Universe Online developers.

The free-to-play pricing tier will give players access to the game (including Gotham City, Metropolis, and all current raids and alerts) and the ability to create two characters and join a league. Players will be able to purchase downloadable game packs and updates, as well as additional character slots and powers.

Players who spend US$5 or more on in-game content will qualify for Premium access, which will allow them more inventory space and higher cash limits. A subscription service will also be available for US$15 a month--the same price players currently pay--which opens up Legendary access. This will give players all the downloadable content packs, more than 15 character slots, 80 inventory slots, and the ability to form player leagues of any size. For more information on DCUO's new access levels, see dcuniverseonline.com/free.

DC Universe Online became SOE's fastest-selling game upon launch in January. The game lets players create crime fighters or villains and is set in locales like Superman's Metropolis and Batman's Gotham City.

For more on the MMORPG, check out GameSpot's review of DC Universe Online.