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Hands-on: DC Universe Online

by Ben Gilbert { Jun 10th 2009 at 3:00PM }

MMOs on current-gen consoles? We've yet to see it really happen. However, DC Universe Online for PlayStation 3 and PC sure looks (and plays) like a game on its way to completion. When we last sat down with the game in February and talked to its producer, DCUO already had a ton of polish and -- even to our console-addled brains -- felt like an MMO we could get on board with.

The controls on PS3 felt quick and intuitive then, and not much has changed (other than graphical fidelity, character animation, and bug squashes) since we last saw it. We muscled our way around S.T.A.R. Labs, turning zombified security guards back into their old selves and then employing the security guards to take down our foes. While the squad mechanics felt woefully underdone (as in, they don't exist -- you roll with a gang and they take down fools as the gang sees fit), we appreciated the ability to pick up a crew mid-mission to assist us.

Gallery: DC Universe Online

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GDC09: The Agency and DC Universe Online coming 2010

by Andrew Yoon { Mar 24th 2009 at 3:52PM }

The public hasn't seen much of The Agency since it was first revealed in 2007. When questioned about the lack of updates on the ambitious PC/PS3 online espionage game, SOE's Hal Milton told us: "We don't want to keep having hype sessions just showing movies and crap. We need to make the game and not just keep promoting it."

GDC continues that idea, with Sony Online Entertainment revealing nothing more than a distant release window for both The Agency and DC Universe Online. John Smedley, president of SOE, revealed that both titles will arrive in 2010 in his keynote, "An industry perspective on how new online games will reach the masses."

We understand that it takes time to craft a solid game, especially a massive online one. However, we'd like to remind Smedley that the first step for a game to "reach the masses" involves, y'know, releasing it.

Gallery: The Agency

DC Universe developers chat about Doomsday

by Andrew Yoon { Feb 25th 2009 at 4:30PM }

We got our hands on DC Universe Online a few weeks ago, and were pleasantly surprised at the game's unique approach to the MMO genre. The super-powered, console-friendly MMO game felt completely natural with the PS3 controller in hand. The instance we participated in is the one you see right here: we could play as a hero or villain and fight against the Superman killer himself, Doomsday. Watch the developers explain the instance, and see how it all works.

Gallery: DC Universe Online

Joystiq hands-on: DC Universe Online (pre-alpha)

by James Ransom-Wiley { Feb 4th 2009 at 5:44PM }

You will not play DC Universe Online as a licensed hero or villain. You'll create your own character, inspired by or dissimilar to the familiar NPCs you'll see soaring and tromping around Metropolis and Gotham. While SOE wasn't ready to show us the full breadth of the game's character creation system, creative director Jens Andersen did fill us in on the basics: you choose (a) a super power; (b) the source of that power; (c) a movement mode; and (d) an initial ability (you unlock more as you level up). For example, Green Lantern would answer: (a) light; (b) ring; (c) flight; and (d) strong will power. Or the Flash: (a) electricity; (b) hands and feet; (c) speed; and (d) fast metabolism.

SOE dropped us into a midtown Metropolis instance (game event) involving Lex Luthor, Doomsday, and ostensibly Superman (we didn't encounter the Man of Steel, thankfully), and handed us a PS3 controller (technically, we were playing a pre-alpha build of the PC version). We were put in control of a user-created super villain, "Kid Something-or-other" (we neglected to note his full name), who wielded a pair of ice-powered pistols and had some zingy acrobatic movements. We were tasked with collecting "DNA" samples from heavily guarded crates, oddly secured in the middle of several separate streets, and then it was onto and into a room in Lex Corp where we fought alongside Luthor to subdue an escaped Doomsday for some sinister purpose.

Gallery: DC Universe Online

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Joystiq interview: Wes Yanagi on creating DC Universe Online

by Ben Gilbert { Feb 4th 2009 at 3:15PM }

UPDATED: We've updated a few interview answers with clarifications from Wes Yanagi after the break.

While there's been a lot press coverage on DC Universe Online, a variety of topics have emerged that we felt needed some solid "yes" and "no" answers: Will there be cross-platform play between the PS3 and PC versions? Is the game really coming out as early as "late 2009 / early 2010?" If we create a character with stretchy appendages, can we stretch everything?

Yesterday, we put the questions to DCUO senior producer Wes Yanagi during a hands-on with pre-alpha code -- the same code playable on the show floor at this weekend's New York Comic Con, in case you're wondering. He debriefed us on the current situation regarding cross-platform play, character customization and a whole slew of other interesting stuff -- including how his current gaming (Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy Tactics) is affecting the development process.

We'd like to give you an audio option but, unfortunately, the recording conditions of the room were less than ideal. Hit the break for the whole thing in text form.

Gallery: DC Universe Online

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Writer Marv Wolfman signs up for DC Universe Online

by Ross Miller { Jan 30th 2009 at 1:24PM }

Earlier this week we heard about a secret comic book "legend" joining the DC Universe Online development team. The silhouetted individual was supposed to be revealed at New York Comic Con next weekend. Of course, you didn't expect it to remain a secret until then, did you? The latest issue of Wizard magazine (via BigDownload) has let the Black Cat out of the bag: writer Marv Wolfman will be enlisting with previously revealed comic veterans Geoff Jones and Jim Lee and the rest of Sony Online.

The creator of Blade and writer of Crisis on Infinite Earths will be expanding and adding to the narrative already written by Jones, while Lee is handling the art direction. Even though the surprise has apparently been spoiled, you'll still be able to enjoy a brand new playable demo at the convention. Look for the DC Universe Online panel on Saturday, February 7.

Comics 'legend' to join DC Universe Online team, announcement at NYCC

by Majed Athab { Jan 28th 2009 at 10:58AM }

Apparently, there isn't enough star power allocated to the team that's building DC Universe Online. While comic book industry heavyweights Jim Lee and Geoff Johns are already overseeing the production of this SOE-published MMO, there is still one legendary name yet to be revealed. The mysterious person will be unmasked on Saturday, February 7 during the East Coast's largest comics convention, the New York Comic Con.

Expect to see him (or her) at the DC Universe Online panel, joining both Lee and Johns on a discussion of their latest creation. With Lee directing artistic design and Johns weaving up the storyline, it's a wonder what this other talent will be in charge of. Interested parties can stop by the NYCC at 4:15pm, when the panel starts, and find out. Show attendees can also try out a new DCUO demo on the show floor.

CES 09: DC Universe Online developer walkthrough

by Alan Tsang { Jan 16th 2009 at 4:00PM }

We missed these from a couple of days ago, but these latest videos, provided after the jump, are a developer walkthrough detailing the "early 2010, late 2009" superhero MMO DC Universe Online. The clips showcase a number of elements from the game, such as the action-based gameplay, the "composition" of the player-controlled characters, a "private instance" where your hero is called upon to assist Superman in a fight against Doomsday, different movement modes, improvised weapons and more.

The game appears to be coming along nicely; the graphics look better than in earlier videos and the ability to change your character's specialization is appealing. However, will the possibility of a subscription fee and the rumored lack of interoperability between the PS3s and PCs hinder its success on the console of our choice?

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DC Universe coming early 2010, maybe late 2009

by Alan Tsang { Dec 3rd 2008 at 2:45PM }

MTV Multiplayer recently got in touch with Geoff Johns, who was announced as the writer for DC Universe Online back in September, to ask about the latest developments on the superhero MMO title.

Johns clarifies his role in the writing process, stating: "I've written the overall story and the path that gets you into the game and the areas of the universe and how to explore them, but not every line of dialogue." The man also tells us an estimated release date. "It launches I think in early 2010, it could be late 2009."

Hopefully the story makes some semblance of sense. Or you can always go the Marvel vs. Capcom 2 route and just not bother.

Massively week in Review

by Joystiq Staff { Dec 3rd 2008 at 3:00AM }

Joystiq's sister site Massively.com has all the news you'll need about MMOs. Here's the best, brightest, and most interesting stuff from the last week, all in one convenient place for your MMO minute.

	EA licenses Dungeon Keeper MMO, for China Electronic Arts has licensed out the Dungeon Keeper property as an MMO to Chinese-based developer NetDragon Websoft with the intent to eventually bring it overseas.
	Warhammer Online 1.0.6 patch adds new classes, tidal wave of updates Today, Mythic brings us Black Guards and Knights of the Blazing Sun! For those who didn't finish the full Heavy Metal event, don't worry, the classes will become available to everyone next week.
	DC Universe probably coming early 2010/late 2009, says comics writer Most intriguing was his up-front information on the game's launch window. According to Johns, the developers are aiming to release the game in "early 2010, it could be late 2009." Read on into the brief interview for the goods.
	Richard Bartle responds to "torture quest" issue A few days ago we ran a report on Richard Bartle's take on a torture quest in World of Warcraft, the Art of Persuasion. Since then, the discussion has exploded and some have taken Bartle's quotes out of context. Because of this, Bartle has created a follow-up post to clarify some of the points that may have been misinterpreted.
	NCsoft clarifies its rationale for closing Tabula Rasa Last week we spoke very briefly with NCsoft's Director of Public Relations David Swofford about the company's decision to close Tabula Rasa. He reiterated the basic statement we heard from several sources surrounding the call: this was all about the bottom line.

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Massively week in Review

by Joystiq Staff { Oct 14th 2008 at 12:00AM }

	Warhammer Online's party hits 750,000 players It seems like the forces of Order and Destruction have been busy recruiting, because Gamasutra is reporting that Warhammer Online is now partying hard at 750,000 subscribers strong.
	Champions Online announces Closed Beta signups Cryptic Studios has just announced that players can now sign up for a chance to participate in the first Closed Beta of their forthcoming superhero MMO, Champions Online, with the Beta beginning in mid-November 2008. Applications can be made at the official website. The Beta is for PC only.
	Mines of Moria gets a November 18th release date Mines of Moria, the first expansion for Lord of the Rings Online, has been given a release date of November 18th for both the NA and EU today. That means we're only about a month away from ten new levels, two new classes, legendary weapons, angry Balrogs and the under-mountain Dwarf kingdom of Khazad-dum.
	Massively in Metropolis: DC Universe Online goes beyond questing The folks at SOE Austin are looking to change the playing field fairly substantially with their superhero MMO title. In fact, in a number of ways they're looking to re-examine a lot of the basic elements we think of as part and parcel with the MMO package. One great example is the concept of questing.

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SOE: All of our future MMOs will appear on consoles

by Alan Tsang { Oct 6th 2008 at 12:45PM }

Sony Online Entertainment president John Smedley spoke to MTV Multiplayer in a post-New York Games conference interview to talk about their plans for future MMOs under their wing. Smedley clarifies a few things; the PlayStation 3 versions of The Agency and DC Universe Online will arrive the same day as the PC version, there's "a chance, maybe" Sony will use a non-subscription-based model for their upcoming MMOs, and finally, the Smedley confirms that "all of SOE's MMOs will appear on consoles from now on."

Smedley has stated beforehand that MMOs will become a selling point on the PS3, so this doesn't come as a surprise. However, it looks like SOE is leaning against having PS3-PC cross-platform play for upcoming titles The Agency and DCUO due to their potential inability to provide simultaneous content updates. Will this lack of cross-platform play spell the end of MMOs on the PS3 or can console owners sustain their own community?

Geoff Johns to write story for DC Universe Online, new screenshots added

by Griffin McElroy { Sep 21st 2008 at 3:30PM }

Writing the back story for a new MMO is a pretty thankless job, we'd imagine. Most of the players living in the virtual world whose mythos you've so meticulously constructed probably skip through the dialogue from important NPCs and quest-givers in order to return to their regularly scheduled redundancies. However, you can bet we'll be reading every word in Sony Online Entertainment's DC Universe Online, as it was recently announced that the plot of the game will be penned by DC Comics writer Geoff Johns.

Johns has worked on a number of major DC franchises, crafting the storylines of a number of Green Lantern, Action Comics and Justice Society of America series. In addition to the fantastic news that DC Universe's story is in qualified hands, a new salvo of screenshots for the title, each featuring a high-profile hero or villain, was recently released by SOE. You can check them out in the gallery below -- just don't get your hopes up for any Mister Myxzptlk action.

Gallery: DC Universe Online

AGDC: The DC Universe Online team spills some beans

by Kevin Kelly { Sep 17th 2008 at 4:00PM }

The Art of the DC Universe Online panel was overshadowed by the presence of artist Jim Lee, who fielded most of the questions about the design elements that are going into this game (as it's based on his visual style). We managed to learn some new elements about the game, including the special "inspired by" mode they've added to character creation.

The panel consisted of art director Jared Carr, Jim Lee, lead character artist Jason Smith, and creative director Jens Anderson. Check out all the zap!, pow!, and bam! highlights after the break.

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Geoff Johns to pen DC Universe Online story

by Andrew Yoon { Sep 15th 2008 at 8:00PM }

Comic book fans will be glad to hear this. Geoff Johns, the renowned writer behind popular DC Comics such as Green Lantern, Action Comics and Justice Society of America, has been brought on to write the back story of the upcoming PS3/PC MMO action game, DC Universe Online.

It'll certainly take a lot of creative effort to pen a story that weaves together the various characters of the DC universe. Incorporating heroes and villains from Batman to Martian Manhunter while while explaining the sudden influx of new heroes (players). Hopefully, Geoff is up to the challenge.

"Taking comic books into the online space presents an exciting and unique opportunity for me as a writer," said Johns. "I'm looking forward to creating a thrilling story that explains why the DC Universe has suddenly been populated with millions of new heroes and villains in a way that will engage players."

For an interview with Geoff, check out IGN.

[Thanks, Jesse S.!]