DC Universe™ Online Now Free-to-Play

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) today announced that players can now download and play its popular massively multiplayer online (MMO) action game DC Universe™ Online (DCUO) for free. Starting today, all PC and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system players can create their own legendary superhero - or villain - and join forces with their favorite DC Comics characters, including Superman, Batman and the Joker to either save - or destroy - the planet.

"We are confident that going free-to-play will expand the action combat experience of DC Universe Online by making the game more accessible to every type of player so they can choose to play the game their way," said John Smedley, President, Sony Online Entertainment. "With a portfolio that includes three successful free-to-play games - EverQuest II: Extended, Free Realms and Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures - we have extensive knowledge and experience to apply to DCUO and are thrilled to be taking the game free-to-play today."

There are three access levels in DCUO: Free, Premium and Legendary. All three levels will provide access to the game and include all game updates and fixes to the game, with each level offering differing game options and features. DLC content and features will also be included for Legendary players, and can be purchased by Free and Premium players. The levels include:

    --  Free Access: New players now have access to the base game content in DC
        Universe Online, including Gotham City, Metropolis, and all current
        raids and alerts outside of DLC packs.  Free Access provides players
        with the ability to create two characters, join a League and many other
        benefits. Free level players can also purchase DLC packs, additional
        character slots, and more in-game.
    --  Premium Access: Any player who has spent at least $5 USD (including
        former paid subscribers and new players who have purchased $5 of in-game
        items) qualifies for the Premium Access level. Premium level players
        have more benefits available to them than the Free level player,
        including additional character slots, additional inventory slots, and
        higher cash limits. DLC packs, additional character slots, and more can
        be purchased in-game. All previous subscribers are granted Premium
        Access automatically.
    --  Legendary Access: Legendary Access provides the most content, features
        and benefits of the three access levels.  Loaded with enhanced features,
        Legendary Access is available for a $14.99 USD monthly fee (multi-month
        discounts are available) and includes access to all DLC packs at no
        cost, more than 16 character slots, over 60 inventory slots, the ability
        to form Leagues, and many other benefits.

DC Universe Online combines the ability to explore legendary DC Comics environments pulled from the pages of the comic books, popular movies and animated series and fascinating story arcs with fast-paced, physics-based combat, allowing players to pick up buses and other objects in the environment, fly into the air and throw them at enemies; run up the sides of buildings to engage in melee brawls while shooting flames of fire from their hands; or cling to the side of buildings while using a grappling hook to pull flying opponents out of the sky - all while fighting alongside or against the legendary characters of DC Comics and building their own legacy as they embark on their own path to legendary.

DC Universe Online is licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment on behalf of DC Entertainment. For more information about DC Universe Online, visit www.DCUniverseOnline.com.

More information on the DCUO free-to-play access levels can be found here: dcuniverseonline.com/free.

For press assets, including box art, trailers and screenshots, visit: http://bhimpact.gamespress.com/product_page.asp?i=903.

About DC Universe Online

Lex Luthor has traveled back through time with news of a dire future: While the heroes and villains spent years battling amongst themselves, Brainiac has been feeding on their powers, building strength to return to Earth and destroy humanity. To change the future, Lex has come back to set off a device that bestows super powers to thousands of every-day citizens and give humanity a fighting chance. Can Brainiac be stopped, or is this another nefarious Lex Luthor plot?

For the first time, players and fans will be able to enter the DC Universe as an active force for good or evil. A massively multiplayer experience, DC Universe Online delivers unparalleled high-energy, physics-powered combat that brings the player's extraordinary powers to life.

DC Universe Online was created in the artistic vision of legendary comic book artist Jim Lee, and set within a world created by famous DC writers including Geoff Johns and Marv Wolfman.

Rated T for Teen with Mild Blood, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes and Violence, DC Universe Online is available for PC and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. DCUO Legendary access is available for a monthly fee. For players of the PC version of the game, Legendary access to DCUO is included in the all-in-one SOE All Access subscription.

About SOE

Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games. Best known for its blockbuster hits and franchises, including EverQuest®, EverQuest® II, Champions of Norrath®, PlanetSide®, Free Realms®, Clone Wars Adventures™ and DC Universe Online™, SOE creates, develops and provides compelling online entertainment for a variety of platforms. SOE is building on its proven legacy and pioneering the future of online worlds through creative development and inspired gameplay design for audiences of all ages. To learn more, visit www.soe.com.

SOE, the SOE logo, EverQuest, Champions of Norrath, PlanetSide and Free Realms are registered trademarks of Sony Online Entertainment LLC. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

About Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all current and future platforms, including console, handheld and PC-based gaming for both internal and third party game titles.

About DC Entertainment

DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash, etc.), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables, etc.) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating across Warner Bros. and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment, and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world.

SOURCE Sony Online Entertainment LLC

SOURCE: Sony Online Entertainment LLC

CONTACT: Michele Sturdivant of Sony Online Entertainment, +1-858-577-3167, msturdivant@soe.sony.com; or Stacy Miles of Bender/Helper Impact, +1-415-847-4400, stacy_miles@bhimpact.com

Web Site: http://www.DCUniverseOnline.com