DC Universe Online MEGATHREAD – The Green Lantern Revealed

[PA_Kid]

Looking great!

Now we just need more more info!

Here's hoping there is some good substantial info at E3 this year!

[NARMAK]

well, despite the lack of information theres no reason why we can't discuss what sort of characters we'll like to have

remember that you gotta remember it's for a game, so no permanent invisibility power or time travel available lol

i think i'll create 1 ranged & 1 melee for both hero & villain sides

just don't mention what you'll name your hero or villain as you'll be miffed when somebody from here takes it

[PA_Kid]

My guess is that they will do something similar to what Champions is - no unique names. Instead if you are looking for someone you may need to know their name/user id.

Personally I'm not as interested in the existing characters as the powers & attributes - that's what will make or break the game to me.

I hope they add some more travel powers such as swinging and teleporting. Just flight, acrobatics, and superspeed seems a little sparce.

My only concern so far is the power system seems a little simple compared to champions. From what I've seen you just pick a power set, an emanation/tool, and a movement power to start. So if you want hawkman you go with electrical/mace/flight. If you want a Green Lantern you go with light/hand(ring?)/flight. If you want Nightwing you go melee combat/staff(baton)/acrobatics.

As you go up in level you get atribute points for things like armor skin, superstrength, etc... but it doesn't sound like you get a lot of power options. (Other than the fact that your powers can change in roles).

Personally if I were SOE, id want to try and make costume pieces and powers the big thing to sell in microtransactions.

I think the trick would be making Power and "Stunts". Powers could be broad groups that give you access to one action initially - like the Super Strength power giving you a punch or Heat Blast/Vision giving a basic single target strike. Then as you level up you could have to choose between a new Power or Stunt. The idea being that your characters with one power, but lots of stunts are specialized, but someone with lots of powers and few stunts in each power is more of a generalist.

Black Lightning could have only an electric energy blast power, but lots of different ways to use it (AoE, cones, delayed "grenades", etc...). In comparison, Superman might have Super Strength, Freezing Breath, Super Speed, and Heat Vision - but he wouldn't have as many different ways to use his heat vision.

I think a system like that would work really well since you could add new stunts under a power via microtransations and older users would have a reason to buy it and add it to their character. Like maybe a speedster and air manipulator could both get access to a whirlwind stunt that comes along later. I think being able to find new ways to use existing powers would be a huge way to keep players interested (and paying).

This game will probably end up succeeding or failing on two things - 1) how deep and engaging the power/ability system is and 2) how they monitize it.

I really want to see it succeed since I love DC and it looks great so far, but I'm really anxious to see more on the power selection, the ability points (that they've shown can give car/bus throwing), and how they both interact with leveling.

[NARMAK]

They will have something up their sleeve for the chararacter creation system & my guess is it'll be pretty robust going by the secret identity trailer of peoples created characters as well as the videos of characters

It's a pretty mixed bag of people you got in the DC universe so you should be able to mix a lotta stuff together to create your hero

The be like template they've mainly show was just as it is easy to just show how it will work at it's most basic but have mentioned people can take more care in developing their orn villains & heroes from the ground up

Also on the travel powers, i reckon there are a few they haven't announced offficially & i did read swinging & teleportation will make an appearance but so far the one's listed in page 1 are officially confirmed

A long time till it launches & so it'll be nice to see them polish the graphics up & unveil the extra abilities & maybe hold a few till launch for extra suprises

SOE does have a proven track record for MMOs & Ever Quest affectionately know among some as EverCrack should show their ability to make good MMOs

Rest assured the combat will definitely be the tour de force for this MMO not just the fact it's based in proper comic book world as some may think, i truly believe that this is the way combat in an MMO should be

PS - I DETEST the idea of micro transactions for the game, & would rather pay a £7-8 monthly fee & pay for big worthwhile expansions like WoW has had

microtransactions are just incentive for developers to give people only half the content & then charge for the other half, BIG NO! & hope sony don't adopt this underhanded model like some companies are starting to do

[PA_Kid]

Originally Posted by NARMAK

Also on the travel powers, i reckon there are a few they haven't announced offficially & i did read swinging & teleportation will make an appearance but so far the one's listed in page 1 are officially confirmed

A long time till it launches & so it'll be nice to see them polish the graphics up & unveil the extra abilities & maybe hold a few till launch for extra suprises

Yeah, I'm not too worried on the travel powers considering how far out it still is. They will have the ability to steal anything that seems to work well in champions (Ice slide sounds cool)

SOE does have a proven track record for MMOs & Ever Quest affectionately know among some as EverCrack should show their ability to make good MMOs

Rest assured the combat will definitely be the tour de force for this MMO not just the fact it's based in proper comic book world as some may think, i truly believe that this is the way combat in an MMO should be

Hah! I know people that would say that with SOE attached it's guaranteed to be garbage. I dont agree, but Sony has had a mixed bag - for every Everquest or free Realms they have created, they have a Vanguard or Star Wars Galaxies. So far it looks good, so I'm leaning towards optimism.

PS - I DETEST the idea of micro transactions for the game, & would rather pay a £7-8 monthly fee & pay for big worthwhile expansions like WoW has had

microtransactions are just incentive for developers to give people only half the content & then charge for the other half, BIG NO! & hope sony don't adopt this underhanded model like some companies are starting to do

I think of it this way - it can go either way, just like montly pricing.

If DCUO microtransactions everything you'd expect every 1-3 months in a WoW patch, and it costs basically the same as a monthly MMO fee, where's the harm?

I'm sure there are some WoW players who only play alliance (or horde) and only play 1-2 classes. Those players may love the option of only having to pay to keep up with those two classes - or maybe only buy a specific "issue" (i.e. set of new quests).

I think microtransactions can work - look at LBP. My only concern is that they may price individual things higher because they don't expect to get the same return on investment - I would have an issue with having to spend $20-30 per month to collect everything. Though I think the solution could be to do both - have a discounted subscription that gives you everything for the month (but needs to be a consistent month-to-month subscription) while still allowing a la carte purchasing.

Free Realms looks like it's got both good and bad microtransactions (in my opinion) along with a "velvet rope" membership service. If DCUO mirrors it in some way, I think I'd be ok with it for the most part.

Good microtransactions -
Virtual pets (cost $4. if you don't want one, you don't need to spend it - if you want one, it's just a one time cost for that pet)
Virtual TCG cards (you can buy cards for your virtual tcg decks, but you can also get cards buy playing the MMO - spending $ is not required to play the TCG)

Bad microtransactions -
Potions (seriously? I'm going to spend $1-2 on a one time heal? no thanks. I guess if it's a suplement for spending time to acquire them in game it's not bad, but if that's the primary source that's a very bad idea)

Membership service -
Access to additional classes (I think this would be a no-no for DCUO since you have to purchase the game whereas Free Realms is free0
Access to additional mini-games (The main town has tower defense mini-games, but they require you to be a member - I'm ok with stuff like that)

I think the trick in the microtransactions is to avoid a few things-
1) charging for permanent content that was already completed and ready to go. (like you mention)
2) charge for things that are practically required and only obtainable (or only easily obtainable) through microtransactions

I don't know, maybe I'm being naieve, but I think it can work if they do it right.

[NARMAK]

i think the biggest problem i have with games that are MMO is the high price of it @ launch & then the monthly fee on top

I bought Matrix Online years back when i was a kid with an obsession for the movies (not too severe i hope ), we payes £40 for the game & then £75 or maybe more for a full 12 month subscription but i guess it worked out since there were no expansions you had to pay for even till now years after i've played but can't say wqith 100% certainty

WoW is now dirt cheap but then you gotta buy the expansion packs to really play although the arguement works you should first buy the original at it's current price then the expansions when you reach max level & played all quests but for those that bought launch the price was full RRP & for every expansion plus a monthly fee of like £9 or $13.99 a month i think in dollars but it is the biggest MMO so given it charges the most

Thats a lot of money though , if it were like £20-25 for5 the game on release a la GT5P more people would be enticed & i wouldn't mind paying the £9 a month fee or less if 12 months up front

still, we'll see how it plays out & the model they choose

You make good points on the microtransactions PA KID but i think i would make more heroes & villains initially then level them up when i'm done knowing i got the names i wanted but wouldn't want to be charged extra for that

Let's see what they announce though as it will most likely be a indicator to what pricing model The Agency will likely also take

Look forward to Free Realms on PS3 as it'll be just like a massive version of Home with more mini games

[xino]

I just watched the walkthrough.

Wow impressive

This will actually be my first MMO game to be enjoyed.

You make your own hero, join a team, team are real players, you do stuff.
That's so sweet!

[NARMAK]

Jens Anderson - Creative Director for DCUOCategory:Games Hi, I?m Jens Andersen, Creative Director for DC Universe? Online.* As you can imagine we are super busy and knee deep in DC lore as we put the finishing touches on the playable demo we will be showing at E3 and San Diego Comic-Con this summer.* We have really enjoyed reading your comments on the DCUO MySpace site (www.myspace.com/dcuo) and hope you continue posting while we keep working on bringing DC Universe Online to life for you!If you were able to join us at last year?s San Diego Comic-Con or this year?s New York Comic Con and got to see the action first hand, you saw the direction we are going with the game ? exciting DCU storylines and fast-action physics-based combat.* We will be showing off a brand new adventure area at San Diego Comic-Con this year with new powers, new iconics, new Player Characters, new 40-foot-tall enemies and a new storyline!* If you are in the San Diego area during Comic-Con the week of July 23rd, be sure to stop by and check out the Sony Online Entertainment booth, demo DC Universe Online, and say hi!* (I?ll be the tallest guy in the booth!) Stay tuned in to MySpace to find out the latest information on the game and where you can catch us demo?ing the game.- Jens Andersen

this will be interesting to see, maqybe they're finally showing gotham & those travel powers PA KID wanted fingers crossed eh

[NARMAK]

Quick update on this guys, theres an update of the official website with the new trailer that looks freaking awesome & also new video with jens anderson, creative director of DCUO, remember to watch or download the new trailer in HD from GameTrailers to truly enjoy on your TV or PC

Also on game trailers theres a 4 min walkthrough from E3 09 with commentary & also a interview from E3 09 with Jens Andersen at the DCUO booth on gametrailers

[AranhaHunter]

This getting mostly positive previews, Free Realms got positive reviews so far for the beta....could SOE actually become a competent developer under SCE?

[NARMAK]

Yeah, real pleased to see it getting positive previews so far & most seeing the potential for the game especially from a console gamer perspective especially

They had both the PC & PS3 hardware on cross-platform plaqy at E3 & this was actually the first time it's been demonstrated on PS3

I was worried bout the character creation options but i'm sure people will be spoilt for choice, if you can mix & match the clothes from the DC heroes & villains and then some, i see no problem at all & a lot of the custom characters look really different from each other

I think Sony may be keeping the character creation pretty close to the chest & demonstrate something special

[Freebster2007]

I wonder if I can create an Iron Man of DC Universe
Instead of Iron man, the name would be Bomberman and be a black mechanical suit of armor

[NARMAK]

Originally Posted by Freebster2007

I wonder if I can create an Iron Man of DC Universe
Instead of Iron man, the name would be Bomberman and be a black mechanical suit of armor

i swear i wouldn't be suprised if you could, i'm actually dead certain i saw somebody in the E3 09 trailer just released wearing a bright lime green suit like you say, kinda had black thrown in there, i'll try & take a screenie for you & post it up

UPDATE: i tried print screen on Gametrailers & then paste in paint to try & get just the green guy but i swear, if you download the HD version to your PS3 & then pause & step when playing it, you'll get a really good view, if anybody else has been able to get the pics, please post them up for Freebster2007, thank you in advance

SCRATCH THAT!!
I got you that pic, used IGN trailer & print screen

[AranhaHunter]

Originally Posted by NARMAK

Yeah, real pleased to see it getting positive previews so far & most seeing the potential for the game especially from a console gamer perspective especially

They had both the PC & PS3 hardware on cross-platform plaqy at E3 & this was actually the first time it's been demonstrated on PS3

I was worried bout the character creation options but i'm sure people will be spoilt for choice, if you can mix & match the clothes from the DC heroes & villains and then some, i see no problem at all & a lot of the custom characters look really different from each other

I think Sony may be keeping the character creation pretty close to the chest & demonstrate something special

I didn't know they had cross platform play at E3, I know they said you can plub a dualshock 3 on your PC or a KB+M on your PS3....seems like they're going all out, being under SCEA seems to be doing wonders for SOE. Let's hope.

[Freebster2007]

Originally Posted by NARMAK

i swear i wouldn't be suprised if you could, i'm actually dead certain i saw somebody in the E3 09 trailer just released wearing a bright lime green suit like you say, kinda had black thrown in there, i'll try & take a screenie for you & post it up

UPDATE: i tried print screen on Gametrailers & then paste in paint to try & get just the green guy but i swear, if you download the HD version to your PS3 & then pause & step when playing it, you'll get a really good view, if anybody else has been able to get the pics, please post them up for Freebster2007, thank you in advance

SCRATCH THAT!!
I got you that pic, used IGN trailer & print screen

Thanks Man
When this comes out, I will create a player called Bomberman. I wont tell you the rest.
You guys might steal my idea
I'll give you a hint - It'll be a cross between Bomberman and Iron Man

[NARMAK]

Originally Posted by Freebster2007

Thanks Man
When this comes out, I will create a player called Bomberman. I wont tell you the rest.
You guys might steal my idea
I'll give you a hint - It'll be a cross between Bomberman and Iron Man

your welcome man

No worries, i wouldn't really wanna tell anybody either

[PA_Kid]

Originally Posted by AranhaHunter

This getting mostly positive previews, Free Realms got positive reviews so far for the beta....could SOE actually become a competent developer under SCE?

Well fortunately this already looks pretty good, but I did some looking and this is what I discovered

Free Realms
Developer: SOE San Diego
Previous Projects:
Everquest 2
Planetside

The Agency
Developer: SOE Seattle
Previous Projects:
The Matrix Online (Though I'm not sure they developed it)

DCUO
Developer: SOE Austin
Previous Projects:
Star Wars Galaxies

Everything I've seen so far I've liked on DCUO and Free Realms (The Agency is begining to look like Vaporware to me), but if past titles are indicative of future results, we may want to worry a little with DCUO.

[NARMAK]

interesting find PA KID, i already posted bout Matrix Online closing down July 2009

Sad to see it go down but it became mediocre unfortunately after SOE took it over, the live events were scrapped & devs left so it was just a dying animal really

HOWEVER i must stress, that the direction DCUO seems to be taken could be a hit & theres rumours SOE took Matrix Online on as a means to also get the DC universe license from WB as well

So, it may simply be a case this is the title Sony wanted to have from the begininng but nonetheless a real shame, the potential for Matrix Online was good if they sustained the cinematics & live events as well as a good story

But i'm optomistic this is the title SOE really wants to succeed & with Jim Lee, Geoff Johns & Marv Wolfman on board, as long as they stay for the ride throughout or new highly skilled writing talent to continue the stories is found to perhaps give them a break & then return it may go the same way but not likely to

The Agency isn't vaporware as although there hasn't been much public demo's like DC universe online, IGN recently did have a 2009 preview you can read

I'm thinking it may not be as far ahead as DCUO & that could be because DCUO has competition in the form of Champions Online as well as perhaps Star Wars: The Old Republic & Star Trek Online in similar MMO theme & Sony is pushing to get it out around the same time but want a polished product that will be able to stand with them or above them

The Agency is the first in this type of major Spy theme MMO so less pressure from competition in this type of MMO theme but it should hit the same time, 2010 as DCUO & will most likely be more ahead than we thought

[GamerPS3-X360]

I played the game at E3 and it was pretty fun and cross platform I thought worked really well...so hopefully we can see more games that we can play PC/PS3 gamers...

[NARMAK]

Originally Posted by GamerPS3-X360

I played the game at E3 and it was pretty fun and cross platform I thought worked really well...so hopefully we can see more games that we can play PC/PS3 gamers...

Great to hear something positive from a member, can you tell us more please

Also, can people rate this thread higher, i think someone jealous rated my 5* down

Seriously, i just want people to rate it based on the information available to you & how useful you found it considering there isn't too much available atm