Lego Universe goes free-to-play this August, who needs plastic bricks?

Honestly, have you seen how expensive those sets are? The Lego Group has announced that its flagship MMO (massively-multiplayer online game), Lego Universe, will become free to play this August. The game will then allow would-be Lego fanatics--like I was circa 1995--to get into the world-creation action at no cost indefinitely. Not to mention that the initial cost of the game will be slashed to zero as well, as Lego Universe will be a direct download as soon as it goes free-to-play.

"The LEGO Group remains committed to success in the digital space and to LEGO Universe," said Lego Group VP Jesper Vilstrup in a release. "We see LEGO Universe as a key element for our digital play division, and are adjusting the business model to make the game more accessible to players, without the immediate obligation to purchase or subscribe."

While the game becomes more and more like a Facebook game, the Lego Group will still offer paid subscriptions with added benefits. However, there are no micro-transactions planned at this time. (I have $10 on that stance changing in the next two months. Who's in?) And unfortunately, the free version of the game will offer limited content: "two adventure zones and one player property area for building their own virtual LEGO models," the Lego Group wrote in a statement.

Lego Universe joins a lot of MMOs going free to increase their player bases in a social game-like fashion such as Spiral Knights on Steam. Those who pay the $10 monthly subscription will enjoy everything the game has to offer and will be exclusively eligible for the game's first expansion, Ninjago. Either way, this sounds like a fine way to test the waters before committing to that monthly fee, so tell the youngin's to hang tight and play with that new plastic Lego set you picked up for them last week. (Your secret is safe with us.)

Are you psyched to see Lego Universe go free-to-play? Would you ever pay the monthly subscription for an MMO, or even one based on the web? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment.