The MMO business model started as monthly subscriptions, but it's been rapidly changing.

Sony Online Entertainment finally launched the long-delayed DC Universe Online back in January, but "late" next month, less than a year later, the game will swap business models and become free-to-play.

This move applies to both the PlayStation 3 and PC versions of the game, so if you've been looking for a way to give this superhero MMO a go, there's suddenly a much cheaper method on the horizon.

The monthly subscription has been the go-to model for MMO games for years, but few have been successful enough to convince a sizable number of users to stick around. SOE's seen success with free-to-play games, such as Free Realms and Clone Wars Adventures, so the company knows the territory.

“We believe this new model will expand the DCUO experience and offer more options that cater to every type of player so they can play the game in a way that fits them," said SOE CEO John Smedley in a press release this morning.

Rather than break down what you are and aren't getting myself, SOE made this nifty graphic. In a nutshell, the "free" version of the game comes with some caveats.