Sony MMO DC Universe Online first details
by Alan Tsang 
{ Jun 27th 2008 at 3:30PM }
The latest issue of Edge magazine has some details concerning DC Universe Online straight out of executive creative director Jim Lee's mouth. DC Universe Online, which will be released on the PS3 and PC, is a MMO that will include the cast of heroes and villains of the DC universe -- that's Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Darkseid, to name a few. Lee describes the genre as a "kick-ass hybrid between a traditional MMO and a first-person action console game" where you create a unique superhero or villain and choose his/her/its superpowers. Abilities named so far include attacking with fire or ice, acrobatics, flight, speed-running and teleportation. Unfortunately, you can't be the Flash or Poison Ivy or any of the famous (or infamous) DC characters for obvious reasons.
You then level up, improving your powers and learning new tricks; for example, flying becomes attacking while flying. Eventually you get to interact with famous DC characters, and Lee cites a mission/quest for a hero where you save Superman from Lex Luthor or, for a villain, attacking Metropolis and battling the Man of Steel. Gotham City is another place you can attack.
There is also less of an emphasis on instances and raids compared with other MMOs, and the focus will be on action rather than grinding. PvP details include arenas where you can use your superpowers against others and interact with multiple players: "someone might freeze your character in a block of ice, then pick up the block and chuck it at another player" and these arenas can also become "giant PvE boss battles." Lee also hinted at story events in DC Universe Online happening simultaneously with comic book DC Universe.
We are actually pretty stoked about this; with a well-known and well-established franchise behind this MMO, Sony might just have a fighting chance. We'll see how it is marketed and whether the gameplay elements live up to expectations when the game comes "next year."
[Via Kotaku]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
herozero @ Jun 27th 2008 3:42PM
I'm not sure exactly what the point of making your own character is when you can't even see what it looks like thanks to the first-person perspective. Doesn't that seem a little odd to people? It's a shame that they're probably too far into development to change something like that.
Binaryfiend @ Jun 27th 2008 3:50PM
I agree with you. When you can't see your character it gives you no reason to invest interest in what he looks like.
reson8er @ Jun 27th 2008 4:07PM
They did not say the perspective was in 1st person, they were comparing the action to that of a first person action game (read:frantic).
Paul (PSN: heypaul) @ Jun 27th 2008 5:24PM
Why would they choose a first person perspective for a game like this in the first place? I'm hoping Mirror's Edge will prove me wrong, but we've yet to see the first person perspective done well for anything other than FPS. Punching and kicking in first person has never been fun, since it's so difficult to gauge how far your opponent is from you. There's no doubt that Jim Lee is an incredible artist; I just hope actually knows a thing about game design...
On a side note, Alan, is that some Jim Lee artwork you used for the article? Those look like his lines, but the size of the picture makes it hard for me to be sure.
herozero @ Jun 27th 2008 7:14PM
The artwork is done by Ian Churchill.
Binaryfiend @ Jun 27th 2008 3:48PM
Well if Jim Lee is the executive creative director then I think it stands a very good chance. They guy is an amazing artist.
dabamf @ Jun 27th 2008 4:00PM
I'm Batman.
Martez @ Jun 27th 2008 4:55PM
Correction: You are the bat.
dabamf @ Jun 27th 2008 5:01PM
I'm the bat.
Senecal @ Jul 8th 2008 12:08PM
I am the Bat, you are a mere Joke...
SGeek @ Jun 27th 2008 4:08PM
It's an MMO. Other people can see you. So, it matters what you look like.
herozero @ Jun 27th 2008 7:14PM
In all honesty, I care more about what I look like than what other people think I look like. I'd much rather be able to see my character in action than just playing through the action, you know? It's part of the fantasy of wanting to operate in the DCU.
SupaGeek @ Jun 27th 2008 10:19PM
Well, the question was "why do you need customization in a 1st person game?" Regardless of the POV, it is an MMO so people are gonna see you. SO you need to be able to change your toon's look.
Riley Freeman @ Jun 27th 2008 4:09PM
im orgazmo
Barndo111 @ Jun 27th 2008 4:26PM
Wow, I have been out of the comics game a long time. Jim Lee does DC now? The guys makes X-Men awesome, creates a seventh of Image Comics (and Zealot and Grifter, two of my favorite characters of all time) and now he's working for DC. Wha happa?
I guess that's what happens when you don't read comics since '94...
Daniel @ Jun 27th 2008 5:36PM
You should definitely pick up the Batman: Hush TPB. Jim Lee's art is phenominal in that. He has the only versions of Batman and Superman that don't look like fags. (Yeah, I said it, so what?)
Barndo111 @ Jun 27th 2008 7:45PM
Awesome.
Although I did think the Frank Miller Batman looked cool despite the mini bat-ears.
I'll keep my eye out for that series.
Gemini Ace @ Jun 27th 2008 11:23PM
Lee sold Wildstorm to DC a few years ago.
hotteengirlwithdildo @ Jun 27th 2008 4:38PM
This sounds great - although, who are the saps that will be playing for "good?"
Superbean @ Jun 27th 2008 9:46PM
Ya seriously. Besides, protecting the innocent would only get in the way of me conquering the world.
adolson @ Jun 27th 2008 4:41PM
I wonder if they'll have some kinds of quests with real-world rewards - like, in-game competitions that result in a winning character being included in a comic? Something like that could be neat... A little like that show, Who Wants to Be A Superhero?
Dwag @ Jun 27th 2008 8:59PM
This game is getting canceled just like that xbox 360 marvel or DC thing. I just don't see this happening. When is The Agency coming out cause M$ got Huxley coming up. hopely the PS3 will whip out The Agency as a surprise at E3.
CJLopez @ Jun 27th 2008 9:46PM
I'm the Joystiq. Handle me with care.....
Tony @ Jun 27th 2008 10:11PM
Time to put City of Heroes to rest!
jahd5000 @ Jun 28th 2008 2:59PM
well im actually glad we heard something about this game, i was so afraid about it just being canceled... at least we know is still in developmente, but a really slow one huh?! we havent even seen any pics, information... anything...
Nate the Prophet @ Jun 28th 2008 1:18AM
This game actually looks really cool. I'll probably pick this up IF there is no monthly fee (i.e. just PSN). If it's a fee-based subscription thing, than it's a no-go for me.
Shahryar @ Jul 9th 2008 9:19AM
Didn't even consider that. If it's a monthly fee based game, then I'd be out too.
Henry E. @ Jun 28th 2008 6:15AM
pooey, i wish it was marvel but the idea sounds like a good start
CuSztOm16 @ Jun 29th 2008 11:54AM
Damn, last time i herd of Jim Lee was that Wildc.a.t.s. cartoon that came on back in the day. (GREAT cartoon and as well as for its beat em' up video game on the SNES...sigh...the memories) This game sounds pretty cool. I see DC is really pushing their franchise this year (MK vs DC, now this) Can't wait for more news to come :D
joey numbers @ Jun 29th 2008 4:26AM
That sounds freakin sweet.
rich boy @ Jul 25th 2008 12:13PM
i reaaly hope it's free to play and not pay to play