DC Universe Online’s New Harley Quinn Episode Sparks Paid Currency Drama
DC Universe Online just released its latest episode, Harley Quinn vs Apokolips, and while the story of Harley taking on Darkseid’s forces should have the free-to-play MMORPG’s fans buzzing, the spotlight has been stolen by something a bit more controversial: a new form of monetization.
In addition to the new missions, open-world map, and a brand-new raid, Dimensional Ink introduced a currency tab in the cash shop, allowing players to purchase in-game currencies like Source Marks, Tarot Cards, and Coney Coins. While buying in-game currency isn’t new to MMOs, what has players up in arms is the price—some bundles top out at over $200. And with DCUO episodes rolling out every few months, many are questioning why they should shell out for currencies that might lose value as new content drops.
The reaction from the community has been explosive, with players taking to the forums, Reddit, and Twitter to express their frustration. “Shameless” is how one user described the update, while another asked, “Are we seriously buying episode currency now?” Not exactly the warm reception Dimensional Ink was likely hoping for.
Despite the currency debacle, Harley Quinn vs Apokolips offers plenty of new content, including open-world missions set in Apokoliptic Gotham City, a solo mission with Red Tool, and a raid where players face off against Granny Goodness and her Subjukator weapon. The episode itself is free, but the conversation surrounding it is very much dominated by the cash shop controversy.
Want to dive into the details? Check out the full patch notes on the DC Universe Online official website.
