LEGO Universe is now welcoming players to its newly introduced Free to Play Zone. Fans will be able to enjoy the game for free for as long as they like, with the option to upgrade to a membership account at any time (for $10 USD per month) and receive full game access.

LEGO Universe free-to-play offers a selection of game content, including two adventure zones and one player property area for building your own virtual LEGO models as well as access to thousands of other players' Properties.

Here’s a list of all the stuff Free to Play players can do in LEGO Universe:

• Custom build one LEGO hero
• Interact with in-game friends
• Collect up to 10,000 coins
• Earn Universe Score to level up
• Play through The Venture Explorer
• Play through Avant Gardens
• Join the Nexus Force
• Sample Faction Gear
• Play the Survival mini-game
• Claim the Avant Gardens Block Yard Property
• Fight the Spider Queen
• Place LEGO models you have collected
• Build LEGO models of your own
• Bring LEGO models to life
• Visit thousands of other players’ Properties

LEGO Universe can be played for free by downloading the client at: http://universe.lego.com/en-us/freetoplay/freetoplay.aspx

The Lego Group have announced plans for an upcoming free-to-play offering in Lego Universe. Beginning this August, the free-to-play option will welcome players to try Lego Universe for free, as long as they like, before deciding whether or not to become paid members. Also, players will no longer need to invest in the game DVD to play Lego Universe. The game will be available via free digital download only.


The Lego Universe free-to-play will offer a limited selection of game content, including two adventure zones and one player property area for building their own virtual Lego models. Paying members will have access to all areas in the full game, along with membership benefits such as competitions and community events. In addition to the 15+ robust adventure zones and instances as well as 5+ property worlds currently in-game, access to new expansions, like major Ninjago content coming later this year, will require players to register for full membership.

LEGO Universe is rolling out a huge round of content updates next week, with major expansions to explore and new features to inspire. On May 3, players must band together to tackle a cooperative building challenge; a month-long mission to complete the construction of the Nexus Tower. LEGO Universe will also add a fiery hot racetrack, exclusive racing vehicles and bigger Property worlds, with new capabilities – like placing pets on your personal Property and bringing them to life! All of this, plus tons of new models, missions, rewards and more, are headed to LEGO Universe next week.


It takes a village… to a raise Nexus Tower


An upcoming community building mission will have all minifigures in the LEGO Universe working together to help assemble the greatest in-game creation yet - Nexus Tower! Currently under construction, the Nexus Tower will protect the Nexus of Imagination from Maelstrom enemy forces upon completion.
To finish the Tower, the heroic Nexus Force needs help. Well, actually, they need more bricks! An urgent donation drive begins next week, and players will have one month to complete the task. Only a truly collaborative effort will make Nexus Tower a reality, to serve as a beacon of light and hope to minifigures across the LEGO Universe! The cause is nobler than ever, and the Nexus Force is calling on players to contribute bricks as soon as possible, before the Maelstrom snuffs out Imagination forever.


Throughout the month-long challenge, stop by Nimbus Station Race Place to drop off bricks at the Nexus Force donation machine. Generous donors will earn achievements and rare one-time-only rewards.


Hot new racetrack, cool new cars


Beginning next week, players can outrace the Maelstrom itself, on a fiery new racetrack – the most challenging yet in LEGO Universe! Players will venture deep within the dangerous, dragon-filled depths of Forbidden Valley to find the Dragonmaw Chasm racetrack, complete with a slew of new missions and some super-hot rewards. Skilled survivors can unlock new achievements, along with racecars like the Fire Brawl and Mach Lava.


Eight exclusive vehicles, coming to LEGO Universe next week, will give players a speedy new way to flaunt their Faction pride and get in the racing spirit this month! Designed in true Nexus Force fashion, the sleek new cars and rockets are representative of the four Factions found in LEGO Universe, including the powerful Sentinels, daring Venture League, creative Assembly and mysterious Paradox.


Property worlds: bigger, better, fuzzier


Two highly-anticipated Property updates are also major news this month, giving players more space to build and new ways to bring their creations – and pets - to life in LEGO Universe. A huge new Property world was just discovered in Nimbus Station, and will be accessible when Nimbus Isle debuts next week. For players who’s Block Yards are bursting at the brim, Nimbus Isle will offer well-welcomed, bigger building room, complete with remarkable LEGO ocean views.


And it gets better! Beginning next week, players will be able to place pets on their in-game Properties and bring them alive with behaviors. There’s no telling what amazing animal masterpieces the LEGO Universe will dream up, and players can draw even more inspiration from new Zoo and Safari-themed model sets, available next week from the model vendor in Nimbus Station.


Learn more about how you can explore LEGO Universe at www.LEGOuniverse.com!