DC Universe Online – Retailers failing to mention subscription fees.

With the PS3 version of DC Universe Online ready to drop into stores this week, it will be interesting to see whether the MMO subscription model can actually be a success on a home console. PS3 users take for granted the fact that they can play an online game for free, so the price of the ongoing subscription needed to play DCUO may come as a shock to some.

With such an unusual and high profile release due, I was amazed to find that most of the major online retailers have failed to mention any ongoing costs in their product descriptions. At the time of writing, I found that Amazon, HMV and GAME are all taking pre-orders for the game, but none of them mention the ongoing subscription which is needed to actually play it. The only online store that I could find which had such a notice was Play.com, who state “Please Note: This game is online only. A 30-day subscription is included with purchase of this game. Recurring subscription charges apply automatically thereafter”.

DCUO has an RRP of £39.99, and is retailing online for around £30-£40. It comes with a 30 day pass, but after this, you will need to have an active subscription in order to access the game. Pricing for this subscription, in Europe, is as follows:

• 1 Month – €12.99/£9.99
• 3 Month – €34.99
• 6 Month – €64.99
• 12 Month – €124.99 (Available on PC only)
• Lifetime Subscription – €179.99 (Available on PC only)

Somebody should really give these online stores a nudge, and get them to add this information to their product pages. Paying £40 for a game is expensive enough, but to not be told about the ongoing costs really takes the biscuit. As it stands, I can see a lot of disappointed and disgruntled consumers wanting to return the game, once they find out the true price of dressing up in spandex and ridding the streets of crime.

With thanks to Andy@Xcite for the heads up.

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