Sony may have let slip that the multiplayer section of Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception may become a seperate free-to-play game on PSN.
According to GamingEverything, today's new release post on the US PlayStation blog included a segment plainly titled; "Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception Multiplayer (Free to Play)." Though Uncharted 3 wouldn't be the first attempt at bringing free-to-play to PS3: Dust 514, a PSN-only shooter currently in beta, was designed around microtransactions. Console MMO DC Universe Online eventually dropped both its subscription fee and retail cost on PSN. Unlike those games, Uncharted 3 has an established install base and a successful franchise behind it. Both could serve as the draw needed to get player to take the proverbial leap to free-to-play gaming.
The section, which has since been removed, was light on details, though. Based on a screencap of the post, it seems that the accompanying paragraph featured a description of Uncharted 3, and did not explain how the free-to-play version of the game would work or when fans could play it.
At the same time, a recent post on the Naughty Dog blog claimed that the next Uncharted 3 patch, version 1.17, will include "something new for multiplayer." Before that, Naughty Dog's 2012 "holiday card" post teased that they had some "very exciting information" about UC3 multiplayer coming in early 2013.
Would you start or go back to Uncharted 3 multiplayer if it were free on PSN? Let us know what you think in the comments.
UPDATE: One day later, Sony and Naughty Dog confirmed that Uncharted 3 multiplayer will go free-to-play and available for anyone to download starting today. In Uncharted 3 multiplayer, weapons, perks, and customization options are unlocked through players' persistant level: The game's competitive multiplayer will be free until players hit level 15, when they'll have to purchase level cap increases. Players will also need to purchase access to the game's co-op missions.
According to Joystiq, is the new pricing breakdown for Uncharted 3:
- Competitive multiplayer, levels 1-15: Free
- Cap raised to level 25: $4.99
- Co-op Arena (W/Shade Mode): $9.99
- Co-op Adventure (W/Fort Co-op): $11.99
- Unrestricted level cap: $19.99
- Uncharted 3 GOTY Edition on PSN: $39.99
