DCUO posts

Zatanna Zatara joins DC Universe Online cast

by Rubi Bayer Jan 29th 2010 at 10:30AM

Filed under: Super-hero, New titles, News items, DC Universe Online

They've taken some time to answer fan questions and announce their upcoming weekly comic, and now the DC Universe Online team has returned to rolling out cast members for their upcoming MMO.

The latest addition to the cast is Zatanna Zatara, the Justice League of America's tuxedo-jacketed magician. Zatanna is descended from a long line of magicians, and her inherited talents make her one of the world's most powerful magic users. She's wary of abusing her nearly limitless powers, and you'll find her restricting herself to defensive and non-lethal spells.

Like any traditional MMO caster class, Zatanna is a formidable foe and a very weak one at the same time. Her incantations rely entirely on the (backward) spoken word, so she can be shut down simply by rendering her unable to speak: even a plain cloth gag does the trick. Getting close enough to get a gag on her is another matter entirely -- good luck.

Follow along in the gallery for a closer look at Zatanna.

Gallery: DC Universe Online: Zatanna Zatara

Tags: dc-universe-online, dcuo, jla, justice-league-of-america, SOE, sony-online-entertainment, zatanna, zatanna-zatara

Fan questions answered in DCUO Q&A video

by Kyle Horner Jan 23rd 2010 at 12:00PM

Filed under: Super-hero, Video, New titles, News items, DC Universe Online

SOE Austin recently put up a call for DC Universe Online fans to ask questions via Facebook for a video Q&A. Well, the team's answers are now live over at the social networking site and we think you'll be pleased with the results.

New information has been fairly sparse for the last few months, which makes this video feel like a sudden spring shower after a long dry winter. The questions run the gamut from weapons and equipment to PvP and how the game's tech and design goes the distance to make players feel like a DC style superhero. And don't worry if you missed out on submitting a question or if yours wasn't answered this go around, because the devs are very careful to say more of these are scheduled for the (hopefully near) future.

[Thanks, Max!]

Tags: dc-universe-online, dcuo, developer-interview, facebook, interview, pvp, Q-and-A, soe, soe-austin, sony-online-entertainment, video

DC Universe Online adds weekly comic

by Rubi Bayer Jan 17th 2010 at 4:00PM

Filed under: Super-hero, New titles, News items, DC Universe Online

Sony Online Entertainment has something new for fans waiting on DC Universe Online. No, it's not another NPC reveal. DC Comics will be adding a weekly series to its lineup later this year -- DC Universe: Legends. The series will be based on DC Universe Online, and while the initial reaction from fans might be disappointment that we aren't getting new information about the game, a closer look at the comic series reveals that may be exactly what we are getting. IGN.com spoke with Executive Editor Dan DiDio for more information on Legends.

DiDio shared some information about the comic, hinting that it will serve as a guide to the DCUO universe as creation of the game progresses: "...we're going to set up the conceit of the universe, how it works and what the rules are. We'll also be trying to work gaming tips and secrets into the body of the book as we move along in the series. You'll see a lot of support material including turnarounds and designs that went into the actual building of the game."

The interview in its entirety can be read at IGN.com, and contains a fair amount of information (and a few more interesting hints) for anyone interested in the upcoming DCUO.

Tags: dan-didio, dc-universe-legends, dc-universe-online, dcuo, dcuo-comic, IGN.com, SOE, sony-online-entertainment

Mr. Freeze joins DC Universe Online cast

by Rubi Bayer Dec 22nd 2009 at 9:00AM

Filed under: Super-hero, New titles, News items, DC Universe Online

We've been hearing more from Sony Online Entertainment this year about the upcoming MMO DC Universe Online, and while news of a beta or even an alpha would thrill us, we're more than happy with what we've been receiving this fall. The folks at Sony Online Entertainment have been treating us to a parade of new characters as the months progressed, and they're getting the fans in on the creation process with an animation contest.

SOE has made another addition to the cast of DC Universe Online, and it's not a huge surprise given the time of year: Mr. Freeze. Mr. Freeze, otherwise known as the conveniently-named Victor Fries, is a cryogenicist who suffered an accident in his quest to save his wife Nora from a fatal illness. As a result he must now be encased in his supercooled suit whenever the outside temperature is above sub-zero.

Check out the official site for current information on all the characters.

Tags: dc-universe-online, dcuo, mr-freeze, SOE, sony-online-entertainment

DC Universe Online launches animation contest

by Rubi Bayer Dec 7th 2009 at 3:00PM

Filed under: Super-hero, Trailers, Video, Contests, New titles, DC Universe Online

DC Universe Online is offering fans a chance to show off their animation skills in their DCUO Animation Contest.

You can choose to create either an animated cinematic trailer or in-game emotes, and the prizes for each category are well worth your time to enter: "Our director will determine which animators shots will be included in the final trailer. There will be approximately 60 final shots in the trailer. The creator of each animated shot chosen by the director to be included in the final trailer will be awarded $500, the inclusion of the animator's shot in the final trailer, a credit in the trailer and a copy of the DC Universe Online game when it ships in accordance with the Official Rules."

The rules for the in-game emote category are similar, except that there will be approximately 42 final shots and the cash prize is $150. DCUO provides a how-to video and the software to create your animations. The competition begins today, and all of the rules, entry information and tools can be found here. Good luck!

Tags: animation-contest, dc-universe-online, dcuo, dcuo-animation-contest, emotes, soe, sony-online-entertainment, trailer

Nightwing leaps into DC Universe Online

by Kyle Horner Nov 24th 2009 at 4:00PM

Filed under: Super-hero, New titles, News items, DC Universe Online

Sony Online Entertainment's newest character reveal for DC Universe Online happens to be the ex-boy wonder himself, Nightwing. No longer the young man fighting at the dark knight's side, Dick Grayson is capable of some incredible feats of athleticism, some even more impressive than Batman's repertoire. He's also known to fight alongside the Teen Titans, and it's nice to see them standing with him in these new screens. All-in-all there are nine screens for you to check out.

There's a long list of heroes and villains from the DC universe to reveal, giving us cause to question whether we'll ever see an end to these announcements. It's not that we're uninterested in seeing the in-game counterparts of these classic characters -- we're simply ready to see more of the actual game itself. Chris Cao did recently answer some fan questions, which was a great start. Here's hoping 2010 plays host to all sorts of awesome DC Universe Online information.

Gallery: DC Universe Online Screenshots

Tags: batman, chris-cao, dark-knight, dc-universe-online, dcuo, dick-grayson, nightwing, soe, sony-online-entertainment

Bill Roper on Champions Online's launch, current state and future

by Kyle Horner Nov 20th 2009 at 6:00PM

Filed under: Interviews, New titles, News items, Champions Online

In a recent interview with Boomtown, Bill Roper spoke his mind on everything from Hellgate: London hate to Champions Online's launch and future. In fact, the man spoke quite candidly on all topics, particularly that of Cryptic's missteps with their second superhero MMO as well as their successes.

Of particular note, there's a mention of how Champions Online will handle DC Universe Online's 2010 launch given that the superhero MMO market hasn't really expanded of late. Curiously, Roper says he feels that the Xbox 360 version will help to vastly expand Champions' user base. There's a chance Cryptic could be pushing to get into the console market by or before SOE releases their superhero MMO. Although given the headaches Cryptic has expressed at getting an MMO on Microsoft's console, we get the feeling much of the developer's focus is presently on Star Trek Online and continued live game support.

Tags: atari, bill-roper, champions-online, cryptic, cryptic-studios, dc-universe-online, dcuo, soe, sony, sony-online-entertainment, star-trek-online, sto

DC Universe Online creative director answers questions from the fans

by James Egan Oct 27th 2009 at 11:00AM

Filed under: Super-hero, Interviews, New titles, DC Universe Online

One of the upcoming SOE titles we're hoping to hear more about is DC Universe Online -- the superhero MMO that will build on the DC Comics legacy. DC Universe Online's Creative Director Chris Cao recently did a video interview with DCUO Source that explains how the devs have approached the game's design.

Cao fielded a number of questions posed to him by the fansite's readers -- How will player feedback impact the game's development? Will there be voicework in DCUO from the actors who've voiced characters in the various DC animated series and video games (specifically, Kevin Conroy)? How will DCUO handle secret identities? All good questions. For the answers, check out the video interview with Chris Cao at DCUO Source.

[Via MMORPG.com]

Tags: chris-cao, dc-comics, dc-universe-online, dcuo, dcuo-source, fansites, kevin-conroy, new-titles, soe, sony-online-entertainment, super-hero, superheroes

DC Universe Online takes us to Bizarro World

by Rubi Bayer Oct 25th 2009 at 6:00PM

Filed under: Super-hero, Screenshots, News items

Sony Online Entertainment revealed a brand new addition to DC Universe Online Friday: Bizarro. Even if you're not already familiar with the character, you can pretty much assume that anything with a name like that is going to be probably evil and definitely awesome. So who is this guy? DCUO provides a brief backstory for anyone living in a cave, and for the sake of moving on and getting to the good part, we'll go with that: "In hopes of having a Superman of his very own, Lex Luthor called upon his top scientist Dr. Teng to scan and replicate the hero's genetic structure. Due to complications in the construction of the carbon copy, their results gave birth to a monstrous menace, Bizarro."

Bizarro's the polar opposite of Superman. Where Superman has heat vision and freeze breath, Bizarro has freeze vision and flame breath. Best of all (or worst of all, depending on your outlook) Kryptonite gives Bizarro strength. Following this train of logic, it seems like Bizarro would also be really slow, but that's no fun.

Gallery: Bizarro Gallery

Tags: bizarro, concept-art, dc-universe-online, dcuo, screenshots, soe, sony-online-entertainment, superman

The Green Arrow unveiled in DC Universe Online

by Kyle Horner Sep 30th 2009 at 1:00PM

Filed under: Screenshots, New titles, News items, DC Universe Online

SOE have released oodles of concept art and screenshots for The Green Arrow in DC Universe Online. In case you didn't know, he's green and uh, well he shoots arrows. He's also known as Oliver Jonas "Ollie" Queen and was originally created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp back in 1941.

He may not be Batman or Superman, but Ollie can toss punches with the best of 'em. Plus, he's a crack shot who can land an arrow directly between your eyes at unprecedented ranges. Plus, and we're sure some of you will find this amusing, he's a billionaire and former mayor.

Gallery: DC Universe Online Concept Art

Gallery: DC Universe Online Screenshots

Tags: concept-art, dc-comics, dc-universe-online, dcuo, green-arrow, screens, screenshot, screenshots, soe, sony-online-entertainment, the-green-arrow

The Digital Continuum: Conflict evolution

by Kyle Horner Sep 21st 2009 at 3:00PM

Filed under: MMO industry, Opinion, The Digital Continuum

Conflict is at the core of just about everything. This is particularly true of MMOs, and why almost each and every single one of them is driven by conflict of some variety. For the most part that conflict is or results in combat, and as we all know, combat is probably the one thing you do most in your game of choice.

So where's it all headed?

Tags: age-of-conan, all-points-bulletin, aoc, apb, champions-online, cryptic, cryptic-studios, dc-universe-online, dcuo, ddo-unlimited, featured, funcom, realtime-worlds, soe, star-trek-online, sto, the-digital-continuum, turbine

DCUO offers up new screens for AGDC

by Krystalle Voecks Sep 16th 2009 at 6:30PM

Filed under: Super-hero, Screenshots, New titles, DC Universe Online

With AGDC getting started today, we've been keeping our eyes out for anything new and cool to bring your way. As if to answer our early eyes, Sony Online Entertainment have decided to release a handful of new screens from DC Universe Online as well. These new screens continue to develop on the S.T.A.R. Labs screens we saw coming out of GamesCom, as well as offering us another look at that fan favorite - Green Lantern!

While we're glad that the team at SOE are taking as long as they need to make an awesome game, we'd be lying if we didn't say we're waiting with bated breath for beta access. We can't help it - many of us grew up reading Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, and myriad other DC titles so the idea of playing alongside our childhood heroes sounds pretty cool in our books. Perhaps we'll get some other tidbits of DC Universe Online out of AGDC with luck!

Gallery: DC Universe Online Screenshots

Tags: agdc, agdc-2009, dc-universe-online, dcuo, soe, sony-online-entertainment

Hal Jordan, Green Lantern, DC Universe Online screenshots

by Kyle Horner Aug 29th 2009 at 4:00PM

Filed under: Screenshots, New titles, News items, DC Universe Online

"In brightest days, in blackest night, No evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might, beware my power, Green Lantern's light!"

If you're a comic book fan, then chances are you've heard this at one time or another. If you're a Green Lantern fan, then what's more likely is you say it at every opportunity you get. But let's face it, life doesn't really offer many favorable circumstances for reciting the Lantern's Oath. That's why we're hoping against hope that SOE goes all out and allows players to join the ranks of the Green Lantern Corps, which is essentially an intergalactic police force, in DC Universe Online.

Considering Geoff Johns, who is currently finishing up his amazing Green Lantern comic run, helped pen the game's storyline, we expect nothing less than amazing things when dawning our green (or otherwise?) ring once DC Universe Online is out. Check out the rest of the bevy of new Hal Jordan screenshots in our gallery.

Gallery: DC Universe Online Screenshots

Tags: dc-universe-online, dcuo, geoff-johns, green-lantern, hal-jordan, sinestro, soe, soe-austin, superhero

Alpha and beta status updates on DC Universe Online

by Kyle Horner Aug 28th 2009 at 12:00PM

Filed under: Interviews, New titles, News items, DC Universe Online

There hasn't been a lot of new information flying about on DC Universe Online, which is probably just a sign that the SOE team over at Austin, TX are keeping their collective noses to the grinder and pushing for beta sometime in the coming months.

Actually, according to a Gamasutra interview with Wes Yanagi that very much seems to be the case, although he doesn't out and say as much. It sounds like cross-platform and controller/UI iteration are probably giving SOE the most grief. We take it as a good sign that they're not rushing it, though, as it shows their seriousness at making this 'massively multiplayer action game' work.

As for alpha and beta? According to Wes, "We're still pre-alpha. We're really close to hitting our alpha goals, so hopefully in the next several months, we'll start talking about it." Seems like the game is still a ways off into the future. So long as SOE doesn't release near a World of Warcraft expansion, we think they'll do just fine.

Tags: austin, blizzard, cataclysm, dc-comics, dc-universe-online, dcuo, gamasutra, geoff-johns, jim-lee, marv-wolfman, soe, soe-austin, sony-online-entertainment, texas, world-of-warcraft, wow

New DCUO screens appear out of GamesCom

by Seraphina Brennan Aug 20th 2009 at 7:00PM

Filed under: At a glance, Super-hero, Galleries, Screenshots, DC Universe Online

From the deep recesses of GamesCom comes the one threat that no one predicted. The arrival of... "them."

Yes, "they" have appeared. All eight of them. They've come marching out of the convention to media sites across the internet, seeking superheroic domination over the masses. They show images, amazing images, of things to come in our future. They are... screenshots!

Ok, so perhaps the screenshots don't deserve their own movie trailer, but they are quite impressive. DC Universe Online is shaping up to be quite a gorgeous game in its own right, and we've gotten eight more insights into the game. S.T.A.R. Labs is featured prominently in these shots, and we even have one of Batman facing off against the Joker.

Check out our gallery below, and be transfixed!

Gallery: GamesCom '09: DC Universe Online