LEGO Universe FREE Play Trial - August 2011

[Toys N Bricks]

The LEGO Group has announced a FREE-to-Play trial for the LEGO Universe Multiplayer Online Game starting this August. Obviously, the game didn’t sell well as you can see that the game’s retail price has dropped significantly over the past few months.

This FREE trial is available for download and allows players to play as long as they want without having to pay any fees. However, the demo only has two adventure zones and one player property to build their own creations. (via Gamerant)

[lukeskywalker]

Cool, I hate monthly fees for a game I bought a year ago.

[koromo]

I think you mean trial. ;)

trail like Oregon Trail is a different game.

[lukeskywalker]

I think you mean trial. ;)

trail like Oregon Trail is a different game.

Well it's a trail that they let you play.

[Ice]

I think you mean trial. ;)

trail like Oregon Trail is a different game.

Thanks!

[smilyremhof]

Finally they get that people want to play but not pay.

[vynsane]

Now they need to think outside the box in order to synergize their set sales with this - like "buy Pharaoh's Quest Scorpion Pyramid and get exclusive access to the Egyptian world in LEGO Universe" or something like that.

[lukeskywalker]

Now they need to think outside the box in order to synergize their set sales with this - like "buy Pharaoh's Quest Scorpion Pyramid and get exclusive access to the Egyptian world in LEGO Universe" or something like that.

That would boost their sales. especially if they brought back some of the superhero themes.

[wegj]

I'll never quite understand the logic of Lego on this one, because their target demographic (KIDS) aren't quite use to paying monthly fees on vid games and if I was a parent I would just buy them lego harry potter and call it good instead of busting out my visa for another bill. It's no wonder it's done so poorly. I'll stick to Oregon Trail :D

[koromo]

Currently downloading. I just watched the intro video in the meantime. I wonder if today's target audience would be as astute recognizing Patrick Stewart as the narrarator. :)

[vynsane]

Now I need to know whether or not it makes sense to install the disc version on my new MacBook Pro or just download the free-to-play version. I bought the game for $10 a few months ago (because they were giving the Nexus Astronaut away with it) and played the free month that comes included, but didn't renew the subscription. I will definitely play the free-to-play version every once-in-a-while, but don't know if the disc version will be compatible with the free-to-play areas (perhaps there is a patch/update that will make it work) or if I should just download the newest version at http://universe.lego.com/en-us/freetopl ... oplay.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[koromo]

I would just try logging in on a F2P application.

I made lvl 11 rather quickly. Though I wonder if I'd have more fun going back to the Wii Games instead.

[vynsane]

Yeah, I ended up DLing the new F2P version rather than installing the physical media version. At first I got a VBScript error, which I found odd, seeing as how I was running it on a Mac. That eventually righted itself and downloaded the latest patch. Then I couldn't log in using my original LEGO ID - it said "Your membership has expired" and prompted me to buy more play time. It didn't give me the option to enter the free-to-play area, so I was perplexed. I finally found the answer on LEGO's knowledge base.

Free to Play is open to all adventurers, no matter if they are new recruits or have been members of the Nexus Force already. However, you will need another LEGO ID to play for free, as your Minifigures and their progress will stay saved on your member account, even if you don't have an active Membership.

This way, even if you need a break from the Maelstrom and its pesky helpers, your Minifigures are ready to continue their adventures with you if you renew your Membership!

I understand the reasoning, but it's rather unfortunate.