With many online games adopting some sort of free-to-play model, this news isn’t surprising. The three tiers that will be available to players deciding if they want to pay or not are as follows:

Free: New players will now have access to the current gameplay in DC Universe Online (including Gotham City, Metropolis, and all current raids and alerts), with the ability to create two characters, join a league and many other benefits. Free level players will be able to purchase downloadable game packs/updates, additional character slots, powers and more through microtransactions.

Premium: Any player who has spent at least $5 USD (including former paid subscribers and new players who have purchased $5 of in-game items) will qualify for the Premium access level. Premium level players will have more benefits available to them than the Free level player, including additional character slots, additional inventory slots, and higher cash limits. Downloadable adventure packs, additional character slots, and more can be purchased in-game.

Legendary: Maximum features and benefits are included at this level. Loaded with enhanced additional features, Legendary access will be available for a $14.99 USD monthly fee and includes all DLC packs at no cost, more than 15 character slots, more than 80 inventory slots, the ability to form unrestricted-sized leagues, and many other benefits.

Dear valued SOE Customers,

We have had to take the SOE service down temporarily. In the course of our investigation into the intrusion into our systems we have discovered an issue that warrants enough concern for us to take the service down effective immediately. We will provide an update later today (Monday).

Well, Sony Online Entertainment has released that update and it is not a very pretty one. The personal information for 24 million customers has been obtained by a third party. The firm has also revealed that approximately 13,000 credit card numbers were accessed as well. Sony Online states the credit cards were from an outdated 2007 database.

They mentioned that the attacks happened April 16 and April 17 which is right around the time that Sony noticed the PSN attacks. The company stated that they launched their own investigation when the PSN and Qrocity investigations were launched. With that being the case, it is worrying that they just found out about and took the network down today, half a month after the attack.

We’ll have more as it breaks.

Though the game is free to play, many features, items, abilities, etc require payment via the firm’s proprietary StationCash. Released in 2009 on PC and in 2010 for Mac, the increased user-base expected by the PS3 would certainly increase what has been a substantial source of revenue for SOE.

Destiny of Velious™ follows the events of EQII Sentinel’s Fate™. The prophecy known as “Age’s End” has begun to unfold in the legendary continent of Velious where the war for Norrath has been foretold. The prophecy begins to unravel as the stage is set for the destruction of the entire EverQuest II universe when the twin Swords of Destiny, Soulfire, and the Qeynos Claymore have all been drained of their powers. Norrath’s guardians must fight to restore the Swords of Destiny if there is going to be any hope of saving Norrath from its fate. To succeed and achieve ultimate glory, the guardians must overcome labyrinthine dungeons, the harsh Velious tundra, and powerful creatures. If they fail, all will fall to ruin.

EverQuest II Destiny of Velious is now available worldwide on PC at the suggested retail price of $39.99 USD for an all-in-one package, including three adventure packs and seven expansion packs. The Collector’s Edition, which includes several in-game bonus items, is available for $89.99 USD.

The first game update for DCUO includes:

Bane Duo: Two-player battle against the villain
Open World PvP: New Gotham PvP zone
Batcave 2 Raid: New 8-player raid zone added to Batcave, where players will fight alongside Batman against Brainiac and Brother Eye
Broker: Players can visit the auction houses in the Watchtower or the Hall of Doom to swap gear with each other to get their hero or villain completely tricked out
New collections, races and investigations

In this video, Jim Lee (comic book artist and DCUO creative director) and Tim Miller (Blur Studios director) discuss the creative process behind making the short film and provide more details from DC Comics’ Geoff Johns’ original script that established the back story of DC Universe Online. They also walk through the video to point out each iconic character, highlight hidden details in the environments and discuss the significance of each characters’ actions within the trailer.

Both Hamill and Conroy have been known as the iconic voices for Joker and Batman respectively for years in both animated and videogame form. As for the rest of the cast:

Adam Baldwin (Superman) -Baldwin has amassed an impressive and expansive range of film roles, from large studio projects to gritty independent films. Baldwin has worked with many of Hollywood’s most successful actors and directors, including Stanley Kubrick, Kevin Costner and Richard Donner. In the sci-fi world, audiences know Baldwin for his starring role on Firefly recurring roles on The X-Files, Angel and The Visitor, and guest starring roles on Stargate SG-1 and the new The Outer Limits. He followed up his Firefly character once again in Joss Whedon’s motion picture, Serenity. This fall, he returns as John Casey in the NBC drama Chuck.

Gina Torres (Wonder Woman) – Currently starring in the new ABC Family series Huge, Torres’ most notable television credits are her performances as assassin Anna Espinosa on Alias and Zoe Washburn, the shotgun-toting mercenary on Joss Whedon’s Firefly (and the feature film Serenity), in addition to her roles in Xena: Warrior Princess and Cleopatra 2525, which earned her an ALMA award. Her film credits include The Matrix Revolutions, The Matrix Reloaded, I Think I Love My Wife and Hair Show. She has also voiced the characters of Vixen in the Justice League animated series and Superwoman in the DC Universe animated feature Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths.

James Marsters (Lex Luthor) – James Marsters may best be known for the role of Spike, the cult favorite punk-goth vampire that he played for six seasons on the series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and then on the final season of the spin-off show Angel. He is a headlining fan favorite at conventions worldwide honoring the show and sci-fi genre. Marsters played the role of Brainiac on the series Smallville and can also be seen in his recurring role on the hit BBC America show Torchwood, playing the ruthless and sexually deviant Captain John, as well as his recurring role on Battlestar Galactica as Barnabas Greeley. On the big screen, Marsters was featured in the live action adaptation of the hit Japanese video game Dragon Ball, in which he portrays Lord Piccolo, the evil war lord set on destroying the earth. Marsters’ upcoming role will be as the recurring villain on CBS’s reboot of the classic series Hawaii Five-O.

Michelle Forbes (Circe) – One of the industry’s most prolific actors, Forbes brings an intense quality to every role she tackles. She has appeared in such independent films as Kalifornia and Swimming with Sharks. Last year she made her debut in the groundbreaking HBO series True Blood starring as Maryann, a wealthy local who has mysterious intentions. She has also appeared as Kate Weston in the critically acclaimed HBO series In Treatment. In 2005, Forbes received rave reviews when she starred as Admiral Helena Cain in the intelligent and politically charged series Battlestar Galactica.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – FEBRUARY 16, 2010 - Gamers worldwide can now log-in and immerse themselves in EverQuest® II Sentinel’s FateTM, the latest expansion from the massively multiplayer online game by Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE). Sentinel’s Fate is the sixth expansion for the groundbreaking EverQuest II franchise. This all-in-one compilation pack will be available at select retail stores on February 16, 2010 for the suggested retail price of $39.99 USD plus applicable tax and via digital download at http://www.everquest2.com/ beginning February 23, 2010.

EQII Sentinel’s Fate Station CashTM Purchase (Available for purchase February 23, 2010 through the EQII in-game Marketplace)
Coveted Guarding of the Learned armor* to provide extra protection on your journey
Legends of NorrathTM The Fall of Erudin scenario
500 Station CashTM to spend on virtual items
30-day subscription included for new accounts
*In-game item: Limit one (1) per character. Non-transferable. No cash value.

In MMO’s the holidays always guarantees an update that includes items, decorations, quests and other content that will only be available for a limited time. The following are the events that are live across SOE’s library of titles.

EverQuest®: The annual Frostfell event runs from Dec. 10, to Jan. 7 in EverQuest. In the Plane of Knowledge, the Frostfell celebrations have been spoiled by a state of thievery, and it is up to the players to save the celebration. Many families have been awakened by ruffians and monsters breaking into their homes and carrying off presents intended for the children of the Realm. Players are needed to help track down the monsters that committed these crimes and return the missing presents. Players should also visit the Marketplace to check out the all the new Frostfell items.
For detailed information, please visit http://www.eqplayers.com/.

EverQuest® II: Frostfell, the Norrathian festival of kinship and giving, has returned to EverQuest II. Players can join in the celebration scheduled from Dec. 10, to Jan. 7. Gardy, the ex-giftgiving Frostfell elf, is offering a new quest. Santa Glug has several brand new gifts to give out to one and all. The merchants in the Frostfell Wonderland Village have new holiday goodies for purchase and tradeskillers can make several brand new items. Players should also be aware that this year, fruitcake really is the gift that keeps on giving! Hitting a friend with a throwable fruitcake will spawn one in their inventory for them to throw back.
For detailed information, please visit http://eq2players.com/.

Legends of Norrath®: From Dec. 18 to Jan. 4, Legends of Norrath is offering a Holiday Bundle pack including 25 booster packs of the Travelers expansion. Each bundle pack will contain one of four mounts from the retired Oathbound expansion. Players will receive an EverQuest or EverQuest II mount depending upon their settings in the Legends of Norrath client. Legends of Norrath also offers players a second way to celebrate this holiday season with on-demand tournaments. Eight players can start a tournament at anytime between Dec. 24 at 2 p.m. PST and Jan. 4 at 10 a.m. PST. For just five Event Passes, players gain entry into the Holiday tournament and a special Sleigh-ers Stash pack!
For detailed information, please visit http://www.legendsofnorrath.com/

Free RealmsTM: Snow Days, the Free Realms winter holiday celebration, has transformed Snowhill into a winter wonderland filled with food, fun, and, of course, presents! Snow Days is scheduled to begin on Dec. 16 and conclude on Jan. 21. Players can visit Candi Ivy near the Gifting Tree in Snowhill to help protect the presents from a wicked gang of Robgoblins and the abominable snowmen. Those who follow the holiday quest line might just get a chance to try all of her neat holiday sweets. Pelt friends with snowballs from behind the ice barriers in the Snowhill snowball fighting area. The Free Realms Trading Card Game is offering a special Holiday Bundle pack which will include ten booster packs of the Shattered Past expansion, a Duelist on Demand Print Voucher and an exclusive holiday item redeemable within Free Realms! The Holiday Bundle pack is slated to be available Dec. 23 through Jan. 3. Players can also check out the Marketplace for new holiday clothes, costumes and items!
For detailed information, please visit http://www.freerealms.com/.

Pirates of the Burning SeaTM: Junkanoo is the holiday of choice in these waters, and there is much revelry to be had! Players can carol door to door and exchange gifts in a quest to unlock the festive holiday hat and title. Users who complete the new holiday mission to protect Junkanoo from shadowy forces or join King John Konnu in re-enacting the siege of the Bradenburg Fort, will receive a rat shoulder pet as a reward.
For detailed information, please visit http://www.burningsea.com/.

Star Wars GalaxiesTM: Wookiee Life Day returns to Star Wars Galaxies this year with fun holiday activities, new rewards and a new badge that are sure to lift your holiday spirits to galactic proportions! The festivities begin December 15th, and conclude on January 12th in the cities of Dearic, Wayfar and Doaba Guerfel. Players can sign up for the seasonal festivities by visiting the Trandoshan Traders or the Wookiee Freedom Fighters. By spreading holiday cheer or fear, players will receive Life Day Tokens to redeem for gifts when they visit the Wroshyr Tree. Get ready to munch Wookiee Ookiees, drink some eggnog and open gifts including a new holiday ornament for your house! In the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game, look for on-demand tournaments in celebration of Life Day. Eight players can start a tournament at anytime between Dec. 24 at 2 p.m. PST and Jan. 4 at 10 a.m. PST. For just five Event Passes, players get entry into the Holiday tournament and a Life Day pack!
For detailed information, please visit http://starwarsgalaxies.station.sony.com/ and http://starwarsgalaxies.station.sony.com/tradingcardgame/.

Vanguard Saga of Heroes®: The Festival of Gloriann returns to the world of Telon this holiday season. Once a year during the wintery months, towering trees adorned with lights can be seen glittering within the cities of Telon. Players can cover their homes and Guild Halls with special festive decorations, try on their new illusion costume or view the rooftops of Telon from the back of Randolph, the flying reindeer mount. Get ready to reach new heights this year with the citizens of Telon as we celebrate together the Festival of Gloriann!
For detailed information, please visit http://www.vgplayers.com/.

Second only to those of Batman, Nightwing’s fighting skills and detective abilities are a definite advantage for a hero who also has gas pellets, smoke capsules, and an acetylene torch.

All the tools that animators will need to collaborate on this project, including a special edition of Autodesk Maya 3D Animation software, storyboards, designs and fully-rigged 3-D models will be provided to contest entrants and accessed through the Mass Animation application on the DCUO Facebook fan page. Participating animators will upload their contest submissions back to the application for viewing, voting and sharing with their friends. New to the contest this year will be the Mass Animation iPhone app, which gives people a new way to view and vote on submissions. Qualified contest winners will receive cash or other prizes. Each week, voters and a panel of judges will help determine what shots qualify as the “best” and will be eligible for voter prizes.

While this may seem like a no-brainer to most on the outside since they are two Sony companies in the videogame industry, the truth of the matter is that until now SOE and SCE have been like Crypts and Bloods. Due to SOE being under the Sony Pictures Entertainment family and SCEI being under the music entertainment group before going independant, the companies never had any overlap as far as corporate structure was concerned. We even witnessed a head of PR at SOE trying to get into an SCEA function at a game convention and being turned away at the door even after breaking out her SOE employee ID badge and showing her business card confirming her rank and position.

It will be interesting to see how this alignment will affect operations and overall product quality from both companies.