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DC Universe Online highlights the creation of Batman
It's been 75 years since Batman's creation, and that means everyone is talking about the Dark Knight. More than usual, even. DC Universe Online has gotten in on the action with a series of short videos exploring how Gotham's protector was brought into the game, what players can do to really feel like a part of the bat-family, and what the future holds for everyone's favorite nocturnal billionaire aside from beating up clowns. The videos feature artist Jim Lee, voice actor Kevin Conroy, and various members of the DCUO development team looking at every aspect of the character in the game. There are three different videos past the break, but each one is fairly short -- you can watch them all at once or take them in chunks, whichever you'd prefer. It's a great dose of bat-nostalgia for fans of the game.
Scorpion seeks revenge on Injustice this Tuesday
Everybody's favorite ninja-turned-skeleton-head-ghost-ninja (Mortal Kombat's Scorpion, obviously) will fight his way back from the grave and into the DC Universe this Tuesday, June 11, when he becomes the latest DLC character for Injustice: Gods Among Us. Scorpion's implementation in Injustice appears faithful to his incarnation in 2011's Mortal Kombat, though he won't play identically due to differences in Injustice's engine and gameplay mechanics. Ol' Scorps' toasty new threads were designed by legendary comic book artist Jim Lee, seen above talking design with NetherRealm's Ed Boon. Scorpion will cost $5.
Batman: Arkham City copies available early at Times Square TRU event
The Times Square Toys R Us location will hold an event on Monday, October 17, where 500 copies of Batman: Arkham City will be available a day early. The first 100 customers who pre-purchase a copy of the game through the store's "Personal Shopping Department" (starting now, we guess?), will receive a ticket reserving their copy, and can have their game autographed by Jim Lee (co-publisher at DC Entertainment), Kevin Conroy (the voice of Batman) and Sefton Hill (B:AC Game Director from Rocksteady Studios) at the event. The other 400 copies will be available for purchase at the event, which officially starts at 4PM, but who knows when people start lining up? The event will include photo ops with actors dressed up as Batman and Catwoman, and game demos. Obviously, keep your eye on the prize. You could get Batman: Arkham City a day before everyone else, or those with Amazon Prime who longingly stare out the window for any glimpse of the UPS man.
Massively Exclusive: Jim Lee talks Batman, canon, and DCUO
This is a big week for DC Universe Online, mainly because Sony Online Entertainment is forging ahead with its "megaservers" population consolidation. To mark the occasion, we sat down with DC Comics legend Jim Lee for a brief Q&A. OK, you got us. We sat down with Jim Lee because he's Jim Lee, and we're unabashed Batfans who will jump at every opportunity to talk to the artists behind the cowl. In any event, Lee did have some interesting things to say about MMOs in general, canon in particular, and his experiences with SOE and DCUO. Join us after the cut to read all about it.
DC Universe Online beta ends today with a big ol' fight
Saturday night certainly is alright for fighting, but DC Universe Online would rather you engage in battle today, ending the beta for DCUO with an event: "Battle of the Legends." Players can either align with good or evil and battle alongside the likes of Joker, Batman, Superman, and Lex Luthor -- a full list of the battles can be found after the break. We'd suggest hopping on the PC version around 5PM PST and joining up with Future Batman (as piloted by famed comic artist Jim Lee) to take down evil, or if you're feeling more edgy, the PS3 version around 7PM PST to join Lee as Future Joker in creating chaos. If you miss the whole event, well, the game officially launches next week, so no biggie. That said, if you're really sore about missing it, the full play-by-play will be broadcast via DCUO's Facebook page. "Like" away!
Massively takes on the heroes of DC Universe Online
Holy non-disclosure agreement, Batman! Yes, Robin, you are right. We can now talk about DC Universe Online. Sony Online Entertainment, Warner Bros., and (of course) DC Comics have collaborated to make one of the first physics-based action MMORPGs. Now with the NDA lifted, we can finally give our impressions of this ground-breaking online game. A few of Massively's staff members have beta-tested DCUO for about a month now. We have been biting our tongues for just about as long as we could. We have seen the highs and lows of this game. Making an MMO with proven mechanics is hard enough, but when a developer delves into unexplored territory, there are always huge risks. As with any game in still in production, not everything will be perfect. I will keep this in mind as we step into this DC Universe. Prepare to be amazed by the exhilarating graphics, excited by the high-octane mechanics, confounded by surprising glitches, and flabbergasted by the astonishing voice work. Step past the cut for the whole story and the screenshots I took as I was playing through the first six levels of DC Universe Online! %Gallery-109487%
NYCC 2010: Interview with DCUO's Jim Lee and Mark Anderson
DC Universe Online was all over New York Comic Con. The folks at Sony Online Entertainment presented a playable demo on the show floor, an info-laden panel highlighting character creation and a super-exclusive fan event with 500 of DCUO's biggest fans. Before the fan event got popping, Massively enjoyed the opportunity to sit down with comics legend Jim Lee and DCUO Art Director Mark Anderson. Lee, co-publisher of DC Comics and executive creative director of DCUO, and Anderson shared some special insights into the game's development. Conversation ranged from DCUO's similarity to Grand Theft Auto to Lee's introduction to the MMO genre.
NYCC 2010: DCUO's Q&A panel and fan event
The gods of New York Comic Con smiled upon Detective Comics fans and MMO junkies alike this weekend, as DC Universe Online kicked butt and took questions at not one, but a senses-shattering two Q&A sessions on Saturday. Conventioneers enjoyed a glimpse into the character-creation process at the "Creating the Next Legend Panel," and then Sony Online Entertainment invited fans to a special Q&A event afterward. And I would not be exaggerating if I said the audience reaction was riotously positive. Executive Creative Director Jim Lee, Creative Director Chris Cao and Art Director Mark Anderson shared details and fielded dozens of questions about the DC-based MMO at both events. Discussion ranged from costume creation to endgame content to the game's recent delay to early 2011.
DC Universe Online releases the commentary edition of the cinematic trailer
DC Universe Online is entering a crowded field, but it's aiming to enter said field with both guns firing. The cinematic trailer alone is the sort of thing to make any long-time DC fan happy, showing a large-scale battle between heroes and villains in the vein of the best comic crossovers. In the new director's cut variant, however, Jim Lee and Tim Miller sit down to examine and discuss the trailer, from the large-scale goals of the video to the easter eggs that tie everything together. It's clear from watching the trailer and the commentary that the people involved adore the work they're doing and the source material, with everything from an homage to Kingdom Come to Batman's role mirroring the end of The Dark Knight Returns. Click past the break to see the full trailer with commentary, which is certain to point out pieces that you missed. If, on the other hand, you haven't seen the original DC Universe Online trailer, it's available on the official site.
Exclusive Interview: DCUO's Game Director Chris Cao
What gamer hasn't wanted to be a superhero at one time or another? Superheroes and comic books have been a part of gaming culture as long as computers. Of course, everyone has wanted to be Superman soaring through the skies of Metropolis, or Batman scaring the pants off the criminal underworld of Gotham City. Sony Online Entertainment has teamed up with Warner Bros. and DC Comics to bring this world -- nay, this universe -- to life. On November 2nd, DC Universe Online will blast its way to game store shelves everywhere. DCUO gives fans of comic books, action video games, and MMOs a reason to come together and celebrate this incredible amalgam of genres. Create your own superhero! Thrill to the art of Jim Lee! Soak up the voice-acting of Mark Hamill and Kevin Conroy! On top of that, if you preorder this deliciously intense action RPG, you will have exclusive rights to a token that will allow you to join a 2v2 PvP arena as the caped crusader himself, using his abilities, gadgets, and fighting style. Plus you'll get all the other preorder bonuses like confetti bombs and batarangs. Massively snagged an exclusive interview with DCUO Game Director Chris Cao about this groundbreaking game. Up, up, and away! (OK, that was cheesy. Just hit "read more" to read our lengthy interview after the break!)
SDCC 2010: Part two of our DCUO panel report
Today we have more from the question-and-answer portion of the DC Universe Online panel at the San Diego Comic-Con last week. (Part one of the panel was posted earlier this week.) Panelists included Creative Director Jens Andersen, Game Director Chris Cao, legendary comic book writer Marv Wolfman, Jim Lee, and the voice of the Joker, Mark Hamill. Will there be a mechanic for switching from hero to villain or vice versa? No. You make the choice of hero or villain at character creation, and it can't be changed after that. This is so it is clear to other players in PvP who is on what team. Will current storylines in the DC comic universe affect the MMO? The game will launch "pristine"; that is, the DC Universe in the game will be the popular, well-known one. Wonder Woman will be in her classic costume; Bruce Wayne will be Batman; etc. From there, storylines from the comics may start altering the MMO universe, but at least from the get-go, the game will start with a clean slate. DCUO will be getting its own bi-weekly comic as well.
SDCC 2010: Up, up and away at the DCUO panel
Are you pumped for DC Universe Online after watching the recent "Who Do You Trust?" trailer or our own interview with John Smedley? We can hardly blame you -- it's tough being a superhero waiting in the wings. While we count down the days until its November 2nd launch, there's a lot more DCUO goodness to be had. Massively was on hand at the DCUO panel at this year's San Diego Comic-Con, where Jens Andersen, Chris Cao, Marv Wolfman, Jim Lee and Mark Hamill (who is reprising his voice work as the Joker) were on hand to answer questions about DC's upcoming title. Hit the jump for the full skinny on time travel, heroes, villains and Bat-shark repellent.
SOE makes big plans for Comic-Con
Comic-Con is just a handful of days away, and Sony Online Entertainment has announced its lineup for the event. It's a hefty schedule, but there are several highlights for MMO fans. Saturday the 24th will feature a panel discussion including Jim Lee, Mark Hamill, Marv Wolfman, and members of the DC Universe Online dev team. They'll be going behind the scenes of DCUO, discussing the backstory and giving fans a first look at the game's intro cinematic. Those attending the panel will receive a DCUO VIP beta key. Saturday evening there is a fan event for attendees to meet Jim Lee and Marv Wolfman, have another chance at a DCUO beta key, and participate in a Q & A with the development team. Finally, the SOE block party is a free event on Saturday that welcomes fans into the SOE studios for music, food, tours, previews, prizes, and kids events. Shuttle buses will provide transportation to Comic-Con as part of the event. If you're attending Comic-Con, be sure to visit the SOE booth for the full schedule!
Alpha and beta status updates on 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.
Jim Lee and Marv Wolfman speak on DC Universe Online experiences
When you are making a game based on some of the best comic book heroes of all time, it only makes sense that you bring in some of the best talent from the comic industry to help you in your endeavors. Enter Marv Wolfman and Jim Lee, two men who know their DC Comics. Marv has written for the New Teen Titans and the current iteration of Robin while Jim Lee started his art career with Punisher: War Journal and Alpha Flight. Currently, Marv Wolfman is writing for DC Universe Online while Jim Lee sits in the creative director's chair.Carolyn Koh from MMORPG.com recently caught up to both Marv and Jim and had the opportunity to ask them some questions about what will be seen in the game, how closely it will tie into the current run of DC Comics, and some of their favorite gaming experiences. If you're looking for a sneak-peek into what may be in store for DCUO and what goes on in the minds of these two men, look no further than these interviews hosted over at MMORPG.com
DC Universe Online creators talk about S.T.A.R. Labs and game storylines
Comic-Con International is underway in San Diego, and we're already hearing some news about the superhero MMO genre. The latest info about DC Universe Online comes from a Wired article by Frank Rose which focuses on S.T.A.R. Labs, the futuristic glass and steel location familiar to anyone who grew up reading DC comic books or watched the Superman animated TV series. S.T.A.R. Labs, short for Scientific and Technical Advanced Research Laboratories, will be a hub of storyline activity in the MMO. It's fitting, as this is a place where great scientific advances are made, but also a place where things can go horribly wrong. This means it's perfect neutral ground to be incorporated into DC Universe Online, and the location will tie in with the respective storylines of the game's heroes and villains.
DC Universe Online team will present at GDC Austin 2009
Some of the key members of the DC Universe Online team will speak at Game Developers Conference (GDC) Austin 2009, in a session titled "Why We Need Heroes and Villains in Games". The DC Universe Online team members on hand will include Jim Lee (executive creative director); Marv Wolfman (writer); Christopher Cao (studio creative director); and Jens Andersen (creative director). The 'takeaway' from the session intro reads: "This philosophical lecture will give attendees insight into the challenges and issues game designers and writers face when making characters good and evil. More importantly, attendees will leave with a better understanding of why this tension between good and evil is so critical -- not only for telling a good story, but for making a video game." This sounds interesting, and hopefully it's a sign of the emphasis they're putting on storytelling in DC Universe Online. GDC Austin will run from September 15-18, and we're hoping to bring you news from the event. [Via GamesIndustry.biz]
Jim Lee to illustrate Gears of War comic cover
Why miss, you look awfully proud of yourself. Is it because you had the gumption to down a brumak or did you look down and realize that you were drawn by comic book icon Jim Lee? Just go on sitting inappropriately atop that beastie's noggin while you mull it over.Calling Gears of War "visceral yet elegant," Lee will illustrate the cover for the #9 issue of DC's comic book adaptation, which launched in late 2008 under the company's Wildstorm imprint. The issue is said to introduce a new character to the story, who we'd guess is miss sassy pants up there. According to the publisher, the series has enjoyed success so far among comic book enthusiasts, with the first two issues completely selling through their initial printing. The Jim Lee-covered issue is expected to fill collectors' pull lists in July, while a second alternate cover by Epic's art director Chris Perna is promised as well. Now, climb down off that thing, you're making us nervous.
Comic book legend Marv Wolfman joins DC Universe Online writing team
When you think of notable people in the comic book industry being involved with DC Universe Online, the first names that jump out -- probably in this order -- are Jim Lee and Geoff Johns. But another comic book legend has joined the DCUO team: prolific writer Marv Wolfman. Wolfman's career in comics spans decades, in fact he broke into the industry at DC Comics in 1968. Since that time he's been involved with numerous comics (and characters) that have made it into mainstream entertainment, such as Blade and Teen Titans. According to our sister site Big Download, "Wolfman's job will be to expand and add onto the storylines and plots that have been created for the game by fellow comic book writer Geoff Johns." Did you enjoy this? We've donned our capes and tights to explore SOE's DC Universe Online in-depth. Come explore more of Metropolis and Gotham with your friends at Massively!
Writer Marv Wolfman signs up for DC Universe Online
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.
