14 DAY TRIAL // Sony Online Entertainment has just revealed some big upcoming changes for players of its free online games, like EverQuest 1 and 2, PlanetSide 2, DC Universe Online, or Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, particularly to those who have paid subscriptions inside these multiplayer experiences.
Sony has a wide array of free-to-play online titles both on the PC but also on the PS3 or PS4 home consoles.
While these can be played for free, Sony offered users a special Gold monthly subscription that gave them access to many benefits, including 500 Station Cash (a virtual currency across most of the games) each month.
Now, some big changes are coming on February 3, as the 500 SC stipend is eliminated from EverQuest, EverQuest 2, and PlanetSide 2. Instead, players with Gold subscriptions will be able to buy an item from the in-game marketplaces worth 2,000 SC or less, for free.
"The current benefit of receiving 500 Station Cash (SC) monthly will be replaced with a new program that allows you to select one single item valued up to 2000 SC each month. Nearly all items within the games’ Marketplace will be available for this selection. Players Studio, bundles and additional exclusions may apply. This new benefit must be claimed each month that you are a member as it will not carry over to subsequent months," Sony's announcement read, via TenTonHammer.
DC Universe Online is also set to receive a change on February 3, but here a brand new currency is introduced, in the form of Loyalty Points.
"The week of February 3rd, 2014 we will be making a very important change to the PC Legendary Membership level in DCUO. The current benefit of receiving 500 Station Cash (SC) monthly will be replaced with a similar program that grants a form of in-game currency called Loyalty Points," Sony told users.
"Each month you will be granted $5 USD worth of Loyalty Points that you will be able to use at a special Loyalty Vendor to purchase Marketplace items. Your Loyalty Points will stack – meaning you can save up Loyalty Points in order to make larger purchases – but you must log into the game at least one time each month in order to collect them. DLC packs will not be purchasable with Loyalty Points."
Last but not least, in Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, All Access members will no longer receive their 500 SC stipend, as it will only be kept for Vanguard Gold players. All other advantages remain in place.