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Epic Mickey 2 dev diary expounds on storytelling in a Disney universe
Marv Wolfman – a Marvel and DC comics alumni and not to be confused with an actual wolf man – is working with developer Junction Point Studios as a writing consultant on its upcoming adventure through forgotten nostalgia, Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two.From the dev diary above, everyone at the studio seems pretty jazzed about the partnership, which is understandable considering that Wolfman was responsible for creating iconic characters like Black Cat, Blade, Starfire, Cyborg, and Tim Drake. He also helped launch the Crisis on Infinite Earths comic series, which any comic fan will tell you was a pretty big deal.Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two is coming to the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii in November.
SOE releases second PlanetSide 2 short story
Sony Online Entertainment is kicking the publicity machine for PlanetSide 2 into high gear lately. The only problem is that all the PR has nothing to do with the actual game. Yes, shooters can have lore (Global Agenda has quite an extensive backstory, for example), and SOE seems determined to keep its Forgelight-powered MMOFPS in the news without revealing much more about the mechanics. The latest salvo comes courtesy of celebrated comic scribe Marv Wolfman, who is busily creating PlanetSide 2's factional history via a series of short story vignettes. Today's reveal, the second in a series, centers on characters from the Vanu Sovereignty, some of whom buy into the faction's zealotry. "Today we have declared our Sovereignty, a Vanu Sovereignty. Only one force can live on Auraxis, and it must be us," one of them declares. You can read the full text at the official PlanetSide 2 website, and don't forget to check out our exclusive Wolfman interview from earlier this week.
Reporting from the front: Marv Wolfman on the chronicling of PlanetSide 2's war
Let's face it: First-person shooters aren't typically renowned for their intricate lore and detailed backstories. When you're mowing through a herd of alien bugs or a room full of terrorists with a plasma rifle and grenade launcher, "story" takes a backseat to "Boom! Headshot!" So why, then, is Sony Online Entertainment making a concerted effort to slather its upcoming PlanetSide 2 with a healthy layer of story? To answer this, we sat down with famed comic writer Marv Wolfman, who has once again teamed up with the MMO studio to provide the backstory for PlanetSide 2 in the form of several short stories (the first of which can be read on the official site right now). Wolfman, who has been working on this project for several months already, sees story as essential to the game experience. "Sooner or later, you want to know why you're here and doing what you're doing," he explained. The first PlanetSide had a paper-thin backstory that tended to escape the attention of most of the players, which is why SOE is trying to give this "reimaging" a solid grounding in lore. Sure, not every player cares about it, but for the ones that do, being able to read about the history of the world and the reason behind the conflict is important. PlanetSide 2 isn't just a mindless shooter to the company but a war with depth, meaning, struggles, and purpose. This is where Wolfman comes in to work his wordsmithing magic. Hit the jump as we investigate the scope of these stories and how you wish you had a history class that covered war in such a cool way.
SOE enlists comic book writer Marv Wolfman to pen PlanetSide 2 backstory
Comic book writer Marv Wolfman is taking a cue from his superhero stories to team up forces once again with a powerful ally -- in this case, Sony Online Entertainment. The writer, who last worked on DC Universe Online, has now returned to the studio to flesh out the backstory for the upcoming PlanetSide 2. Wolfman is in charge of writing a series of fictional episodes depicting the life and history of the people of Auraxis and the rising war between the three factions of the game. He's pretty jazzed about the opportunity: "I'm thrilled to be working with SOE again. Not only do I get to take elements from the original PlanetSide and further develop an extensive backstory that can help players more fully understand this incredible new world, but even better, I get to create dozens of individual characters that I hope will help bring alive the story of PlanetSide 2 for the entire player community." In a dev diary, Creative Director Matthew Higby stresses that it's important to have not just a solid game but a believable world in which that game can take place. "Beyond grounding the design of the world, the story gives meaning to who the people fighting on it are, how they got there, their motivations and what their conflict signifies," Higby writes. The first of these episodes will be released on the PlanetSide 2 site later this week.
DC Universe devs talk trinity, changes to the game world
Thirsting for more information on Sony Online Entertainment's DC Universe Online? Comic Book Resources has your long cool drink of water in the form of a lengthy studio visit recap. Last week, SOE invited a gaggle of game journalists to "DC University" for a tour of the game's development headquarters that included lectures from the likes of game director Chris Cao, creative director Jens Andersen, producer Wes Yanagi, and writer/resident DC legend Marv Wolfman. In between geekgasm-inducing peeks around the studio, the lucky invitees got some hands-on time with the upcoming title as well as the opportunity to ask the developers a few questions. When the discussion turned to combat, it became apparent that DCUO isn't going down the traditional MMO "holy trinity" path with its classes and builds. Cao states that while tank, healer, and DPS parties may be possible, they won't necessarily be the norm since "everybody's a damage dealer." Cao also talked about accessible and inaccessible portions of the game world and whether players would be able to unlock more locations as the title ages. "We've bottled the city, the idea is that somebody's going to have to unbottle it," he said, referring to the storyline angle in which Brainiac cuts off access to Metropolis' Daily Planet. While the devs were noncommittal in terms of specifics, Wes Yanagi commented that permanent changes to the world would likely occur via seasonal events and new players would be able to experience the pre-event world.
DC Universe Online turns the spotlight on Lex Luthor
Through all of Superman's adventures, there's one adversary that epitomizes everything he's not: Lex Luthor. A brilliant man with no special powers, Luthor has nothing but contempt for others, seeking control and power even at the same time that he seeks the destruction of Superman. It's a known fact that Luthor will be featured in DC Universe Online, after appearing in the cinematic trailer as both antagonist and ally -- but now we get to see the man himself in his now-familiar power armor. Marv Wolfman, writer for DC Universe Online, has plenty of history with writing Luthor, as he was behind the character's shift from being a mad scientist to the cold and calculating businessman he is today. And any veteran of DC comic continuity knows that Luthor might not ever come out on top... but he always makes for a worthy adversary. Take a gander at the gallery for a good look at an iconic character in the game -- a sometimes-ally, a dangerous adversary, and one of the motivating factors behind the game's overarching plot. %Gallery-103879%
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.
An early peek at the DC Universe Online storyline
DC Universe Online is a superhero MMO in development at Sony Online Entertainment, but one that we didn't get to see much of at E3 2009. That's not going to be the situation with Comic-Con International which is happening this week in San Diego. The DC Universe Online team will be on hand and will hopefully reveal more about the game. While you won't get to play as Superman, Batman, or Wonder Woman, you will begin the game as a hero who fights alongside such comic book icons. In fact, once you roll a character you'll choose a specialty from among super powers, tech powers, or magic powers. That choice will determine the storyline you begin with, according to info revealed in a Variety article. Sony Online Entertainment gave Chris Morris from Variety's 'The Cut Scene' an exclusive on how players will begin the game.
DC Comics to offer God of War mini-series this October
IGN is reporting that DC/Wildstorm Comics and Sony are teaming up to chronicle the events of Kratos in a God of War comic series. Spanning six issues, this new comic will hit stands this October and is being written by Marv Wolfman who, among being a notable dude in the comics biz, is also a big fan of the games. The series, which will run up until the release of God of War III, focuses on the sordid tales of Kratos' past, detailing his enrollment in the Spartan army at the age of seven, as well as events that occur between the first two games. What we're wondering is how the comic will include the QTE sex scene. You can't have God of War without that!
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]
Comics legend Marv Wolfman on his involvement with DC Universe Online
MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo caught up with DC Universe Online writer Marv Wolfman last week, to discuss what he's bringing to the table on SOE's upcoming super-hero MMO. (Despite Totilo's good-natured ribbing, the comics-industry veteran is certain his writing on DCUO will be able to top his resurrection of Optimus Prime in the original Transformers animated series, which some of our readers may remember.)Details about the game's storyline are scarce, as Wolfman hasn't begun working with the developers yet. As of last week, he was delving into the storyline written by Geoff Johns in preparation for turning that story into the missions (and capers) that players will run in DCUO. Wolfman hopes to create a sense that each mission or battle isn't a stand-alone event, and rather has some integration into a much larger story. Another challenge Wolfman is tasked with is striking a balance between keeping fans of DC comics titles happy, while keeping the game accessible to those who aren't necessarily well-versed in DC comic book canon. Check out the MTV Multiplayer piece on Marv Wolfman and his role in fleshing out DC Universe Online. 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!
Marv Wolfman talks writing for DCUO
Last month, we brought news that famed comic book writer Marv Wolfman had joined the team at SOE's DC Universe Online. This in addition to the already impressive team that includes such legends as Jim Lee and Geoff Johns. So when Allakhazam got a chance to sit down with Mr. Wolfman for an interview during NYCC, they got some great insight on what it's like to write for a game like DCUO."An MMO is exploration," Wolfman says. "It's about you finding out the information, and it's about continuous movement. I write a still picture, I can put five thousand words in that panel if I could fit in and have a stupid enough letterer who would actually do that. But here you can't spend the time with a lot of words on screen anymore. Those are the old days. You know, Zelda, the old days. 'I enter cave.' But what's done today is, we get you moving, but the story is there and you come into the story in a completely different way, and you have to think about it in a completely different way."
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.
