I was hooked on DCUO for well over a year. I paid $17.99, every 3 months. If I didn't, I was locked out of certain instances, had half my bank taken away, my money was capped at a lower cap etc. sound familiar?
I'm not complaining. Vim perfectly fine paying my $40 at the beginning of every year and $20 every for months after that, as long as they continue to add enjoyable content.
It's 100% a hidden subscription