LEGO Universe going freemium this August

Fallen Earth? Check. City of Heroes? Check. Which AAA MMORPG act is warming up to take the stage next on the free-to-play 2011 world tour? That would be LEGO Universe, and the LEGO Group has announced via press release that the kid-friendly building-block title will be joining its formerly subscription-based brethren in the freemium ranks as early as this August.

Interestingly, LEGO Universe will continue to make its money via paid memberships, with no microtransactions planned at this time. Free players will have access to a limited selection of game content for an unlimited period of time. If the trial content tickles their fancy, tire-kickers are then free to pony up $10 per month for full access.

LEGO Universe is also doing away with its physical media, as new users will find that the game is transitioning to a download-only model for both paid and free players. Full details on the content available to free players isn't yet available, but check back with us frequently as we bring you all the latest updates.

Reader Comments (12)

The game has been $9.99 on Legos site forever. This makes sense.

As an AFOL (Adult Fan of Lego) Lego Universe has always been on my list of subscription options (I only subscribe to 1 at a time).

Will definitely be playing in August.

@Pingles I tried it out in beta, and I really liked the game (AFOL too (; ) but I couldn't afford a sub at the time. Glad this is going freemium; I'm excited to start playing again. :)

@Pingles

@TheElvenAssassin

As they stated, there's going to be a content wall for free users. This is just an unlimited trial, kind of like what Warhammer Online has. I wouldn't get too overjoyed just yet, it sounds more like you get half the content, and then you have to start paying them.

absolutely great news! I had bought it a little after release when the price dropped, didn't think it was worth another month afterwards, due to the sub fee.

This is awesome :)

Really great news. I had yet to visit since launch, but considered it.

I am a bit concerned by the "doing away with physical media" comment, because they had some actual Lego models to give at launch and was hoping to see something similar in the future (in fact, come to think of it, having a model tie-in with a month subscription would've been a nice way to encourage people to get both).

They probably really should consider adding microtransactions sometime soon; although I strangely feel more emboldened to buy a time-card to help out from time to time (and get to locked content).

Perfect, now I can sign my kids up. I wont let me kids play non freemium games, they like to swap between games and I do not want to have to maintain 2 memberships to 6 games.

Now all they need to do is implement Family accounts. Parent account and up to say 4 or 5 kids accounts, all for one subscription amount that is NOT 5x normal amount. I like to control what/when they play, and occasionally play with them, but don't want to have to maintain a full subscription to do that.

@(Unverified) Same here. And the beauty is I won't buy a thing.

This is how free to play should be done. Good news.

Awesome. Will definitely give it another look then. Played the beta and enjoyed it, but there wasn't really enough in there to be worth it imo... this is really good news though :)

To those in the know about NetDevils woe's this past year. Does this strike you as a publicity/money stunt with the faint hope of covering thier mounting legal fees? Being that netDeveil has no current income generating projects besides LEGO universe (that I know of atm)
Sad to say but I forsee Jumpgate Evolution being cancelled, and revived as a poorly done F2P game, nothing like it predecessor.

color me sadfaced

bad sign for the game and net devil and frankly a mediocre approach to the ip

LEGO Universe going freemium this August

Reader Comments (12)

Posted: Jun 21st 2011 11:24AM Pingles said

Posted: Jun 21st 2011 3:40PM TheElvenAssassin said

Posted: Jun 21st 2011 8:47PM devildog9802 said

Posted: Jun 21st 2011 10:25PM ShivanSwordsman said

Posted: Jun 21st 2011 11:26AM Grumms said

Posted: Jun 21st 2011 11:55AM Space Cobra said

Posted: Jun 21st 2011 12:11PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 21st 2011 12:51PM Lateris said

Posted: Jun 21st 2011 1:42PM Dumac said

Posted: Jun 21st 2011 4:55PM Sorithal said

Posted: Jun 21st 2011 5:05PM Skyydragonn said

Posted: Jun 21st 2011 7:09PM (Unverified) said

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