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DC Universe Online Gets Release Date, Subscription Details, CGI Trailer
by Alice O'Connor, Jul 26, 2010 1:20pm PDT[Update: 08:54] In reality, PS Plus subscribers will pay a subscription. Our apologies.
[Original] Sony Online Entertainment's superhero MMORPG DC Universe Online will launch on November 2, a Comic-Con 2010 panel attended by Newsarama revealed.
A free month of playtime is included, after which the subscription fee is $14.99 per month on PC or PlayStation 3--a fee which is waived for PlayStation Plus subscribers.
A variety of pre-order bonuses are on offer, as is a Collector's Edition with a Batman statue. You can sign up now for a beta test that will run until launch on November 2.
The news is all celebrated by a new cinematic trailer from CGI masters Blur, revealing that you'll actually be taking part in a tiresome and convoluted grand story as you run around wearing your underwear on top of your trousers and zapping people.
Comments
On the MMO I have to tip my hat to DC for going where Marvel chose not to, and I also respect Marvel for not taking that plunge with their properties. Still, the Official Handbook of The Marvel Universe is superior in every way to DC's aged Who's Who In The DC Universe, a detailed testament as to the depth of the Marvel content available that fans have waited a lifetime to play in. Marvel was first to press in 1982, followed by DC two years later. Now DC gets their turn.
Which is kind of strange because this is all taking place in an arena that's been dominated by City of Heroes. Arguably, their character customization is the measure by which all superhero MMOs will be judged. People want to build epic characters the likes of the ones they can't play in DCO. COH has had a 6 year headstart, so it will be interesting to see if DC can improve on this experience.
Opportunities that I see are:
1. Destructable environment and interaction with everyday citizens, which in COH is nonexistent. While this will create new challenges, it would open the door to a more interactive, living world. A world of consequences and not just a population explosion of superpowered beings loitering in the safe area. DC has some work to do to distinctify themselves in this market.
2. Interact with core heroes in a meaningful way. These are the guys we grew up with and admire. We want to fight alongside them, be recognized by them, be victorious with them. This is where I see DC having the potential to making huge gains, as their core characters are legendary.
Champions Online deserves merit, but I see it as nothing more than a COH knock-off for another publisher. The real story is how DCO and their vault of content will take it's place alongside industry veteran COH and change the superhero MMO experience. Let the games begin!
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If they have folks like Johns or Robinson write arcs this will be an amazing playground.
I really hope the devs do some of the more off the wall characters like the Doom Patrol (I was thinking ElastiGirl in the trailer) and the Metal Men., Hell - Swamp Thing. Bring in Earth Two and all the Golden Age heroes. You can do things story wise that will have a resonance that no other super game can match (unless Marvel really outdoes themselves) by providing a real sense of legacy and a living breathing world. While COH talks about older characters and whatnot the lore in general seems hastily put together and flimsy. Part of this is because of trying to create a world from scratch but also because story has been something that hasn't been emphasized enough.
I really didn't like the character designs in this - too thick necked, and as another poster put it even the Joker looks like a linebacker. Wonder Woman looks oddly misshapen and the pony tail is a terrible idea and not something a warrior would use as it's too easily used against you. I thought the Cyborg design was great as was his face.
The dramatics of it were good though. .
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