wonder woman
Latest
Injustice season pass includes 4 characters, bonus costumes [Update: Now with more Harley Quinn]
Just as Mortal Kombat did before it, Injustice: Gods Among Us will employ the increasingly popular Season Pass monetization model convenience option for the game's inevitable character DLC. Who those characters actually are, of course, remains a mystery, though we do know that there will be four of them.The pass costs $14.99/1200 MS Points and includes four characters for "the price of three," according to the press release, which means we can safely infer that Injustice's character DLC will cost $4.99/400 MS Points a pop when purchased individually. You may begin theorizing over the identities of the above silhouettes at the sound of the beep.Three bonus costumes are also included, based on Wonder Woman, Aquaman and Deathstroke's alternate timeline personas from the plot arch that lead to the New 52 relaunch in 2011, "Flashpoint." For the uninitiated, Flashpoint is known as being the small splinter of the DC universe where Wonder Woman actually wore some damn clothes that made sense for a conquering warrior princess.Update: As a small aside, Harley Quinn's story trailer has been tucked away after the break. We'll keep this description brief in case anyone is avoiding such things because spoilers, but let's just say that the Joker is involved. Right? We couldn't believe it either.
Injustice: Gods Among Us footage shows alternate costumes, more facial hair
NetherRealm's barrage of Injustice: Gods Among Us footage continues unabated, with these newest clips showcasing a few of the characters' alternate costumes. We're quite fond of Pseudo-Military Superman and Realistic Armor Batman, but we're starting to lose hope for a Clean Shavin' Green Arrow.
Injustice: Gods Among Us 'Red Son' pre-order bonus also coming to NA
Originally revealed for UK retailers last month, the Superman: Red Son pre-order bonus DLC for Injustice: Gods Among Us will be available exclusively at GameStop in North America. As shown in the trailer above, the DLC pack includes Red Son-inspired alternate costumes for Superman, Wonder Woman and Solomon Grundy (who wasn't in the Red Son comic storyline).The pack also includes 20 extra missions set within the alternate Red Son universe, which is not to be confused with Injustice's also-alternate universe. It'll be interesting to see if Injustice's Red Son missions are actually set in an alternate version of Injustice's universe, making it an alternate, alternate universe. Alternate. Alternate. Now it just looks weird.
Injustice: Gods Among Us fight tapes show off Bane, Harley Quinn
NetherRealm Studios and DC Comics are hosting a series of popularity contests over on the official Injustice: Gods Among Us website, pitting heroes and villains against each other in a tournament-style bracket where fan votes determine the hypothetical outcome.Sounds fun and everything, but what we're primarily interested in are the gameplay videos released once a winner has been determined, the first two of which can be found above and beyond the veil. We're not going to spoiler the outcome of either fight, obviously, but we will say that Bane's abilities look very reminiscent of Kabal's from Mortal Kombat, while Harley Quinn has more than a little bit of Mileena about her.The next round of voting starts on February 11, so we're anticipating more videos in a couple weeks.
HeroClix TabApp adds DC Comics figures
The HeroClix TabApp is an interesting, if not all that impressive, app for the iPad that uses HeroClix figurines in conjunction with iOS to make a game featuring the superheroes of the HeroClix series. When it first launched earlier this year, the app featured only Marvel heroes. But apparently the series is doing quite well, because HeroClix has now added some DC heroes to the mix. There are two packs available. One includes Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, and the other is a "Dark Knight Rises" special featuring Batman, Bane and Catwoman. And the app, as you can see above, has been updated with new content for all of the heroes, so if you buy those packs, you can unlock and play the new games and settings. Unfortunately, this app isn't all that great, as I said in the review linked above. But it's good to see that this is getting more popular. Hopefully we'll see more and better interaction between the digital and physical worlds in terms of gameplay on iOS.
Transmogrifying the women of DC comics
I love comics. I have a monstrous stash of comics carefully bagged, boarded, boxed and stacked in my closet. It runs in the family -- my father collected comics when he was a kid, and he has a particularly painful tale of how he collected Superman from day one. He actually owned Action Comics #1. However, when he left home and joined the military, his mother (bless her heart) decided to throw away all his old comics while cleaning house. Sometimes my dad looks at what that #1 issue sells for today, and he gets a little sick to his stomach. However, while I do enjoy reading Marvel, I have to say I'm a DC comics girl at heart -- much to my father's dismay. Last time, we looked at ways to transmogrify characters into beloved comic book figures and tried our hand at transmogrifying looks for some of the Avengers. Well this week, it's the ladies turn. While we can't get exact replicas of many of the DC comics sets, I've tried to put together three looks here that recall some of DC comic's most heroic and devilish women.
DCUO's Battle for Earth pack spells the final confrontation with Braniac
The confrontation between Brainiac and the world's most superpowered figures is coming to a head, as SOE announced that a final confrontation with DC Universe Online's premier villain will take place in the game's third DLC pack. Titled The Battle for Earth, the pack will pit players against Brainiac's final avatar, the Avatar of Magic, during a raid on Wonder Woman's home of Themyscira. To assist players with this new raid, SOE is arming superheroes with the game's ninth powerset: Earth Powers. Earth-using heroes can excel at both tanking and damage by using earthquakes and constructs to bring the pain to enemies. The core of the pack's storyline will lead players through the struggles against Brainiac as he creates Prime Avatars to conquer the world. The Battle for Earth DLC pack also includes an invasion in South Gotham, another raid, duos, and a Courthouse Alert. SOE says that the DLC pack is coming "soon" and will be included for Legendary members or available to purchase for Premium and free players. You can check out screenshots from the pack in the gallery below. [Source: SOE press release] %Gallery-128108%
Massively Exclusive: SOE's John Smedley reveals F2P model for DC Universe Online
For those of us who lack Batman's financial resources, maintaining several monthly MMO subscriptions can be a challenge. Sony Online Entertainment recognizes this, and as a result, the company has just announced that DC Universe Online will be officially joining the freemium revolution toward the end of October. The new business model will feature a familiar tiered access plan with three membership levels. The Free, Premium, and Legendary plans feature full access to the current game while offering different levels of "convenience and flexibility." Free players will be limited to two character slots, and new "downloadable game packs/updates, additional character slots, powers, and more" will be available for purchase via microtransactions. Premium players, i.e., folks who have spent at least $5 US on the game (including former subscribers and in-game item purchasers), will receive additional character slots, inventory slots, and higher cash limits. Legendary players will take home "maximum features and benefits" including free DLC, more than 15 character slots, and more than 80 inventory slots, all for the regular $14.99 monthly fee. DCUO will also continue to be available on SOE's Station Pass (and subscribing to the monthly all-in-one service nets you Legendary status in DCUO as well as access to all of SOE's MMORPGs). Finally, Massively sat down with SOE president John Smedley and producer Lorin Jameson to chat about the new model, and you can find that transcription after the break.
Alter-Ego: In blackest night, no pilot's light, awaits the city frights
Another week passes when those of us who want to get back to stomping around in DC Universe Online are left to our own devices. Meanwhile, Sony is continuing to work toward restoring its service as the days of the longest large-network MMO outage tick by. (We are, after all, all about the MMOs here at Massively!) Since last week's column, Sony Online Entertainment has announced that not only will subscribers be getting the free month plus a day for each day the network is down along with the Batmask, but there will be additional goodies as well. For DC Universe Online players, that means the previously mentioned Batman and new Two-Face inspired masks (no word on whether this will be one mask per side or both masks for both sides) and 30 Marks of Distinction. Station subscribers will also get 500 Station Cash, and Lifetime subscribers get 10 additional Marks of Distinction. (For those not familiar, Marks of Distinction are what you need to get Tier 2 raiding gear.) Personally, I think the marks are a wise choice of bonus since locked out players re essentially losing the chance to run dailies and raiding, both of which involve timers. The amount is also especially wise -- it's a good portion based on outage time but isn't so huge that people can immediately jump into lots of T2 gear. The cheapest piece (back-slot) would take all 40 marks a Lifetime subscriber had. Meanwhile, as SOE remains locked in its security and networking cocoon, we're left on our own to hunt down other DC Comics entertainment. As I'm also a player cut off from running around and then using this column to write about things I'm experiencing in the game, this week I figured I'd once again diverge from the game to the larger DC Comics universe and take a look at a few cool DC things to come.
DCUO performs magic in Madame Xanadu's shop
It's time to fly through the DC Universe Online, again. This time we are visiting a magic shop. As any DC fan would know, Zatanna is the illusionist and magician for the Justice League. Born a Homo Magi, this super-heroine is naturally tuned to performing magic and sorcery, not to mention being the daughter of the renowned magician Giovanni Zatara. Unfortunately, this isn't enough to stop her from being captured by Felix Faust. In the action MMO created by Sony Online Entertainment, the legends of the DC Universe call upon you to help the citizens and -- in this case -- the superheroes of the world. Wonder Woman has discovered that her friend and colleague Zatanna has been imprisoned by Faust in Madame Xanadu's Magic Shop. Even though you are a newly found hero -- only level four -- Wonder Woman believes you are up to the challenge of taking on the mystical powers of Faust and his Magents. We have an exclusive sneak peek of the first mission as a level four magic hero. Catch the video teaser after the break, then catch the preorder options at DCUniverseOnline.com.
Gina Torres as Wonder Woman in DC Universe
The hits just keep on coming for DC Universe Online, as SOE has added another A-list performer to the game's star-studded voice cast. Gina Torres, well-loved in geek circles for her role as Firefly's Zoe Washburne, lends her vocal talent to one of DC's classic heroines: Wonder Woman. In the latest Voices of the Game video, creative director Jens Andersen narrates a brief look at Wonder Woman's in-game appearances as well as Torres' work in the recording studio. Torres, who also guest-starred in Joss Whedon's Angel, is the third Whedonverse veteran to sign up for SOE's superhero extravaganza, joining James Marsters (Lex Luthor) and Adam Baldwin (Superman). Other DC Universe Online notables include Arlene Sorkin, Wil Wheaton, and Dwight Schultz. Take a look at Torres, Wonder Woman, and the rest of the video after the break.
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.
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.
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 and Blur release DCUO story trailer
Sony Online Entertainment has just released a lengthy story trailer for its forthcoming DC Universe Online superhero MMORPG. Debuting early Saturday morning on GameTrailers, the massive video clocks in at over six minutes in length and features nearly all of the DC Comics notables, including Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, the Flash, Wonder Woman, the Joker, and others. The hyper-violent cinematic is the latest creation of Blur Studio, also known for its Star Wars: The Old Republic teaser work. The cinematic sets up DCUO's overarching story, in which the heroes team up with Lex Luthor to stop Brainiac and his latest threat to humanity. You can view the trailer, appropriately named "Who Do You Trust," after the cut or at GameTrailers.
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."
DC Universe Online and its appeal to female gamers
The days when comic books and video games were predominantly male pastimes are thankfully fading into memory, and the growing number of women gamers in the MMO space drives this point home. But are these games "female-friendly?" According to MTV Multiplayer, we may see Sony Online Entertainment reach out to women with DC Universe Online. Tracey John recently interviewed DCUO creative director Jens Andersen and senior producer Wes Yanagi about what the upcoming title may have to offer women beyond some of the in-your-face combat we've been seeing lately in the DCUO footage. Andersen says DC Universe Online won't just be about clobbering the hell out of your opponents. Rather healing, buffing, and support in the game are designed to be far more engaging, not simply stats shown in the interface. Andersen believes that these elements of gameplay, combined with extensive character customization will draw more women to the super-hero title.
Metareview - Justice League Heroes
The success of the X-Men Legends series proved that there is still a market for good hack-and-slash RPGs. But Warner Bros. Interactive wasn't about to let Activision and Marvel Comics have all the fun -- not when the WB is home to DC Comics and some of the most beloved superheroes of all time. The resulting Justice League Heroes falls a little short of its mutant counterparts, despite the efforts of Snowblind Studios (Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance, Champions of Norrath) and Justice League Unlimited writer Dwayne McDuffie. Die-hard fans will be disappointed by the omission of some popular Leaguers, although the alternate costumes and their unique modifiers might make up for that. More unforgivable is that the members of Gotham City's impressive rogues gallery are absent from a JLH villains roster that sorely needs them. How about a Batman Legends next? Game Informer (73/100) was generally displeased, but cited a first for The Man of Steel: "It only offers two-player offline cooperative play. Enemy types and environmental architecture are highly recycled. The plot reads like a kindergartner's first attempt at writing. On the plus side, this is the first game that successfully makes Superman a fun character to play." 1UP (65/100) wasn't content throwing down with Lex Luthor, Braniac, and Gorilla Grodd: "Maybe the drama would have been more believable if the villains weren't downright dumb. A talking gorilla, an intelligent robot, and a killer bee? That's all you got, DC? Where are all the Batman villains? The Joker, Two-Face, Catwoman -- now those are villains worth fighting. Not some dude who calls himself 'The Key'." IGN (64/100) thinks JLH's character balance is a little off: "Surprisingly, Zatanna is the most potent character in the game. She can heal, cast an over-powered fire attack at low cost (when leveled up), and can turn 95% of all enemies into harmless rabbits. Sadly, Batman is easily the most useless and joyless character you can select. Even Aquaman is more fun to play. Batman's powers, such as calling in a fleet of bats, just don't cut it."
Justice League Heroes gameplay screens fly onto PSP
Somewhat like God and Lucifer, man and mosquitoes and my wife and I, DC Comics and Marvel have been locked in an age-old battle against each other. And over the past couple years, Marvel has had its time in the video game limelight, showcasing its best group of superheroes - The X-Men. But now it's DC Comic's time to fight back, and they are bringing Justice League Heroes.Up until now, all we've seen is character art of the game, but Gamespy has just posted nearly 10-new gameplay screens that show all your super heroes in top form. And judging by these screens, the game seems to be coming along rather nicely.Developed by Snowblind Studios, Justice League Heroes puts the player in control of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter and Zatanna to try to stop the diabolical Braniac. And what will surely give the fanboys a wet dream, Heroes is chock full of extras like unlockable costumes and characters.You'll get your Justice League fix when the game releases Nov. 10.[Via Gamespy]
