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Meet Injustice's Lex Luthor
While his presence in Injustice: Gods Among Us was announced on Twitter and in Game Informer, we haven't seen Lex Luthor in alternate universe action until today. Now you can see him in the latest, most metallic version of his traditional green and purple battle attire.Not pictured is the special move in which, when his opponent isn't looking, Luthor sneaks away and steals forty cakes. That's as many as four tens. And that's terrible.
Lex Luthor, Bane confirmed for Injustice: Gods Among Us roster
Two more nefarious ne'er-do-wells are on deck to hurl both punches and one-liners in NetherRealm Studios' forthcoming DC Comics fighter Injustice: Gods Among Us. Lex Luthor, classic Superman baddie and girlfriend kidnapping enthusiast, shows up to the party in a powered robotic suit, using a special shield and gadget-based attacks.Meanwhile, perennial Batman-buster Bane is a grappling-based character devoid of projectiles, using his Venom-infused bigness to out-big other opponents. Given the character's history, we can wager a guess as to what wrestling move his full-meter Super will predominantly feature.While no trailer has been released as of yet, a scan of the latest Game Informer (tweeted by NetherRealm Studios' Ed Boon) does give us a glimpse of what the characters will look like. Luthor's appearance is quite similar to his robotic look in DC Universe Online, which is fine, we suppose, but Bane's resemblance to his appearance in Batman & Robin gives us pause. Which is to say, we had to pause and throw up after being forced to remember that movie.
DCUO's latest update takes you to the Fortress of Solitude
We still don't have a date for you with regard to DC Universe Online's impending payment model switcheroo. We do have the latest Sony Online Entertainment press release, though, and it's full of details about the superhero MMO's latest content patch. Listen up, Superman fans, as today's patch brings about the second phase of a three-part raid in which players must stop Brainiac from harnessing Kryptonian technology and using it to destroy the entire planet. The update, appropriately titled The Fate of the Fortress, features Superman's iconic arctic hideout known as the Fortress of Solitude, and the patch allows would-be heroes to team up with Kal-El, Lex Luthor, and their fellow players to tackle a challenging eight-man group combat raid. There's a bunch of new loot to be had as well, and today's update also features a new hard-mode option for the HIVE tier-two alert as well as a new Batcave PvP map. Finally, SOE has incorporated a new dueling mechanic into DCUO, so fire up your launchpads, button up your underoos, and get ready to save Gotham City and Metropolis from the clutches of the megalomaniacal Brainiac. [Source: SOE press release]
[Updated] Fight for solitude in the newest DC Universe Online update
Brainiac is back on the offensive in the latest DC Universe Online update, and this time his sights are set on Superman's Fortress of Solitude. Players must join forces with Superman and his reluctant ally Lex Luthor to fend off Brainiac, lest he use the Fortress' Kryptonian technology to destroy the Earth. Why Superman has Earth-destroying technology in his Fortress, we're not too sure. Just in case someone really pisses him off is our guess. The Fortress of Solitude is an eight-man raid which will reward successful players with Marks of Distinction, which players can use to purchase powerful new gear. The update also includes new high-level armor sets, including sets for heroes featuring Superman's logo, and sets for villains emblazoned with a 'Z' for "Zod." New hard-modes are also making an appearance, in the form of the Batcave and Hive hard-mode alerts. All this new content is available now, so jump right in and fight for some peace and solitude! UPDATE: Sony Online Entertainment released two corrected details today, August 4th. Players will earn Marks of Krypton good towards purchasing new gear in the Watchtower or Hall of Doom, rather than Marks of Distinction. There is no Hard Mode Option for the Hive Alert.
DCUO examines the meta-human power suits
Is that a bird? Is that a plane? Is that Superman? No, it's you in the House of El battlesuit. This piece of iconic gear, as well as the Lexcorp Salvation suit, is available to level 30 characters in DC Universe Online. However, the suit isn't just handed to you for nothing; you have to earn it. These two suits are specially designed for heroes or villains who follow the Meta-human storyline. They contain the best stats for either tank, controller, healer, or DPS, and they can only be bought if you have the right influence with the right faction. Chris Cao, the game director for DCUO, gave Massively an exclusive video outlining exactly what it takes to get your hands on this special armor. If you are looking to follow the mega-billionaire Lex Luthor or the Man of Steel himself in the DC Universe, fly past the cut and pay close attention to this video.
DC Universe Online releases a cinematic of the future... and the present
It was always an interesting point for fans that the instigator of DC Universe Online's boom in superhumans was Lex Luthor from an alternate future timeline. After all, Luthor has always been portrayed as one of the most ardent villains in the IP, a scheming and calculating figure, someone whose actions are always made with his benefit as the end goal. The newest cinematic trailer for the game addresses precisely that fact, and it does so with a style and energy that's admirable. As the video opens, we see Luthor and an unknown character, Fracture, fleeing through the Fortress of Solitude in the wake of Brainiac's world-shattering attack. Their mission, and the ultimate backstory behind Luthor's plan to change the course of history, is given a satisfying and energizing twist over the course of the trailer. DC Universe Online fans would do well to watch the movie just after the break, to get a closer look at the developing backstory behind the game's premise.
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!
DC Universe Online closes its beta with a bang
With release just a scant week away, DC Universe Online has a loose end to tie up -- specifically, the still-ongoing beta test. In the grand tradition of betas, of course, it won't be with a simple message to buy the game and a server shutdown. No, players will get to take part in something epic in the tradition of the source material, with a grand battle involving iconic characters of the universe as well as player characters. Each of the closing events involve two iconic DC figures going head-to-head -- either Superman against Lex Luthor or The Joker versus Batman. Players will have the opportunity to fight alongside the iconic villain or hero depending on character alignment, with times varying based on the server. And in the event that you can't attend, the team will be helpfully posting status updates on each iconic battle, as well as possibly introducing a few new wrinkles to complicate the event. DC Universe Online testers should still do their level best to be present for the battles -- after all, who wouldn't want to close off a beta by teaming up with Batman?%Gallery-112847%
DCUO's Jens Anderson unveils the Meta origin story
So you want to be Superman? That is an extremely lofty goal for you. There is no way you can... Wait, what's that? According to the Creative Director of DC Universe Online, Jens Andersen, it is possible for you to follow in Superman's footsteps. If you choose the Meta-Human storyline in DCUO, you will follow either the Man of Steel or -- if you are the villainous type -- Superman's arch-nemesis Lex Luthor. The team at Sony Online Entertainment just released a video on its facebook page outlining just what it takes to don Supe's heroic cowl. However, if you are in a more nefarious mood, Massively has a special treat for you. Wednesday, Contributing Editor Krystalle Voecks joined me for a run-through of the first instance in the Meta-Human villain line. In SOE's official video, Andersen mentions assisting Parasite. Well, we can show you exactly what that looks like with this video. Take a peek after the cut for both the Meta origin story and the Livestream video. Or you can pop over to DCUO's official facebook page for more information.
DC Universe shows off iconic suits and James Marsters
Riddle me this: what do an ex-Buffy villain, Wonder Woman, and Black Adam have in common? The answer is, not much, aside from the fact that they're all starring in a pair of new DC Universe Online promotional videos. Now, before any purists get up in arms, the ex-Buffy villain in question is James Marsters, better to known to some as the vampire Spike. While he won't be bringing his fangs and smashing British accent to Metropolis or Gotham City, he will be voicing the nefarious Lex Luthor, and SOE has released a two minute clip featuring gameplay footage and interviews with the actor. Wonder Woman and Black Adam take center stage in the second clip, which focuses on the iconic armor suits available to players in the game. Whether your DC legend is a hero or a villain, unlocking the power and prestige of one of these endgame suits looks to be one the game's progression goals according to the video narrated by game director Chris Cao.
Become a DCUO beta tester, see the end of the world
DC Universe fans can officially stop crying in their beer. No, the delayed launch date hasn't been rescinded, but today does mark the official start of the pre-order beta period. Budding superheroes who have ponied up for the SOE title will need to submit an image of their receipt via the official pre-order webpage to get the process rolling. Don't delay either, as submissions must be received prior to November 15th in order to receive your beta key. In addition to the privilege of previewing and testing the game, bug-hunters will get to participate in the end-of-beta event showcased in last summer's Blur Studios trailer (an apocalyptic throw-down featuring Batman, Superman, the Joker, Lex Luthor, and others). Check out SOE's new pre-order beta page for more details. [Update: Note that this offer only applies to North American players. Visit DCUO Source for the official word from SOE.]
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%
DC Universe previewed, Andersen talks character customization
With the launch of DC Universe Online just around the corner, we're starting to see a bit more information revealed about Sony Online Entertainment's superhero extravaganza. Gamespot reports on its lengthy hands-on at SOE's Austin development studio; highlights include a quest chain in the city of Metropolis as well as observations on the game's RPG and gear mechanics. Fan website DCUO Source also contributes some interesting info in the form of a collation of comments from the game's Facebook site. Ordinarily, reader comments regarding teaser videos aren't anything to write home about, but the fact that SOE's Jens Andersen chimed in to answer questions provides some interesting reading. One exchange that seems particularly noteworthy is Andersen's response to a fan concerned with the lack of information on DCUO's character customization options. "Character creation will be ongoing throughout the game with our appearance collection system and real items with stats forming a great fusion between form and function," Andersen says. "This means less choices upfront but more meaningful ones as you go through the game. It's a far cry from starting in rags and a loin cloth like in fantasy MMO's but it also isn't a fluff fest of everything which takes away the impact of getting cool stuff in games you can show off to your friends," he writes.
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.
SDCC 2010: You can play as iconic characters: Massively's interview with DC Universe Online
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/pc_games/DC_Universe_Online_You_can_play_as_iconic_DC_characters'; Last week we had a chat with Sony Online Entertainment's President John Smedley about preorders and beta for DC Universe Online. We talked quite a bit about the ability to play as Batman via a preorder bonus, and one of the questions we asked was "Will there be more opportunities in the future to play as familiar DC Universe villains or heroes?" John replied that they were thinking about it, but it sounds like the DCUO team has been doing a lot more than just thinking about it. We caught up with DCUO Studio Art Director Mike Daubert at Comic-Con this weekend, and he had some pretty exciting news for us. Follow along after the jump to see what he had to say!
DC Universe Online promises "all-star voice cast"
Just a few days after the preorder bonuses were released and beta signups began for DC Universe Online, Sony Online Entertainment unveiled the central lineup of voice actors for the game. Some of the names are familiar and unsurprising, but still nice to have confirmed. Mark Hamill will be voicing The Joker once again, and Kevin Conroy returns as Batman. SOE highlighted the two returning actors with a short video on the DCUO site entitled "The Voices of the Game." Fans of Joss Whedon's work were interested to see several familiar names in the list: Gina Torres as Wonder Woman, James Marsters as Lex Luthor, and Adam Baldwin as the voice of Superman. Michelle Forbes rounds out the cast list list as the voice of Circe. John Blakely, SOE's Vice President of Development, says "We're excited that not only will Mark and Kevin bring their talent back to the DC Universe as part of DC Universe Online, but we've hit the jackpot with a full cast that are veterans of movies, TV shows and games that our fans are crazy about."
MK vs. DC Achievements reveal Lex Luthor, Darkseid, more
The queue of people looking to take advantage of Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe's plot devices and punch Superman to death continues to grow, with a unconfirmed list of Xbox 360 Achievements revealing several previously unannounced characters. The relatively straightforward challenges task players with performing the "expert combos" for several kombatants, both known -- Batman, The Joker, Scorpion etc. -- and until now, unknown.The latter category features intergalactic menace Darkseid, sinister slap-head Lex Luthor and Outworld favorite Baraka, who probably wasn't hugged much as a child. Peer past the break for the complete list of known characters while we poke Midway for confirmation.Update: One curt comment: "Midway has not officially released the Xbox 360 achievements for MK vs. DCU."Update 2: Midway has just confirmed the full lineup of characters. You'll find 'em all after the break.
Comic-Con 08: Hands-on with DC Universe Online
Two weeks ago at E3, the Massively staff had their first glimpse of DC Universe Online gameplay footage. Developers showing the trailer promised players could play equally well whether on a PC or PS3, engage in battles unlike any before and push the limits of the Unreal physics engine that is the technological base of the game. After getting my hands on a pre-Alpha build of the game this week at Comic-con, I can tell you one thing for sure: this game delivers on its promises.I've rarely had so much fun playing an MMO in such an early stage of development. Running up the sides of skyscrapers at superspeed, picking up city buses and smashing them into enemies, encasing the bad guys in blocks of ice and punting them two city blocks, the list goes on. These activities not only make the player feel truly heroic, but create an environment where players can coordinate their attacks with each other to defeat supervillains in all new and unexpected ways.
