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Jim Lee Dishes On DC Universe Online
Posted by Michael McWhertor at 12:00 PM on July 24, 2008
Sony Online Entertainment treated members of the press to a luncheon earlier today, part of the Comic-Con 08 push for DC Universe Online. The massively-multiplayer online action RPG, coming to both the PlayStation 3 and PC platforms, will be playable by the public for the first time tonight. We'll be going hands-on with the title this evening, taking part in an in-game Brainiac themed live event with other DC heroes.
We sat down with DC Comics executive creator Jim Lee earlier today to talk about the SOE-developed, DC-branded game. Lee told me that he was the one who had approached SOE after catching wind of the project, an effort which had experienced multiple starts and stops.
As a fairly serious EverQuest player — Lee played Paladin, for the record — the artist turned exec knew his stuff. He dropped MMO-isms (LFG, instances, the grind) like it was his natural language, and with a working knowledge of the DC universe, fans of the genre and the brand should feel confident that it's creatively in good hands.
Players will be given the option of creating a good or evil character in DCUO, each with a possible dozen unique characteristics, such as power type (ice, fire, mental, sonic), power source (ring, elemental), and movement type (flying, speed). Given Lee's background as a serious MMO player, I had to ask what he was planning on playing in DC Universe Online when it shipped.
"I haven't decided", he said. "I'll probably have one public character and one private character — a villain".
I asked Jim if he was partial to any particular DC mainstays, if he'd lobbied for the inclusion of anyone in particular.
"I kind of have to be impartial", he said, noting that it was more important to ensure that DC's classic characters and classic designs were integrated accurately into the massive multiplayer world.
Sadly, that doesn't include some of the more off-kilter characters, non-humanoids like Krypto the Super Dog, Bat-Mite or various multi-limbed things from the Green Lantern Corps. They may appear in the game in some form, but if you're looking to create a super monkey that can ally with the Superman family or even Gorilla Grodd, you might have to wait for the expansion.
One surprise that Lee mentioned is that alter-egos will play a role in the game. You may have to spend some time as a lowly photographer, for example, one who walks among the regular citizens, preserving your secret identity. "We have to have it be meaningful", Lee said of superhero alter-egos. This aspect of the gameplay, Lee hinted, may address the dreaded "grind", something he says players won't spend much time worrying about.
As far as the look of the game, for which Lee is largely responsible, we learned that some characters that we've already seen are undergoing visual refinements. "The Joker is one character I wanted to tweak", he said, noting that the Heath Ledger/Christopher Nolan take on the Joker from The Dark Knight may have been part of the catalyst for the change. Part of the reason for the change, however, was that the current model of the Joker simply didn't fit with the rest of the game's non-playable DC heroes and villains.
We'll be going hands-on with the game soon and will report our impressions of DC Universe Online later this week.
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
BelmontHeir
Posted 3:08 PM 24/7/08
This may sound surprising, but I'm pretty sure that the delays with All-Star Batman & Robin have to do with Frank Miller and not Jim Lee. When Jim Lee was working on Batman with Jeph Loeb and Superman with Brain Azzerelo (sp?), he was putting out stuff on a regular, monthly basis. He's actually a pretty dependable guy these days.
BelmontHeir
TK423
Posted 2:51 PM 24/7/08
@TK423: I worded that like a retard and I apologize.
TK423
TK423
Posted 2:50 PM 24/7/08
As much as I'd like this game to work I just don't see how it can. If everyone single person is a super hero, doesn't that make everyone just a regular guy? Doesn't the defeat the entire purpose of Superheroes and Villains?
TK423
TheTravisCooper
Posted 2:41 PM 24/7/08
i dont want to hide my alter ego unless it is on the way home or not home, or creatively used for a mission which requires a bit of surprise/stealth.
i want to be a villain and just a villain damnit.
TheTravisCooper
fearing
Posted 2:38 PM 24/7/08
@Thorax: Uh, that's Bat-Hombre thank you very much.
fearing
fearing
Posted 2:38 PM 24/7/08
Thank you!!!!! The ugly Joker was the one thing that really had me worried, especially being in a lot of the screen shots. I'm glad Jim Lee has enough clout around this game to get it fixed, as if I needed any more reasons to like the guy! Can't wait to see how he turns out since in the DCU for over a year now he's supposed to have had cut up his mouth a little bit like Ledger's Joker.
fearing
Thorax
Posted 2:12 PM 24/7/08
This looks like it could have potential. I'm wondering if you can play as my favorite DC hero, Mexican Batman...
Thorax
demonknightinuyasha
Posted 1:51 PM 24/7/08
this game is sounding awesome, not only is jim lee one of my comic book heroes but they're fixing the jokers look which annoyed me to no end. can't wait to see some peoples impressions of teh game when they get to play it this weekend. Sony should totally do a ps3 beta for this...and let me in >.>
demonknightinuyasha
rich8606
Posted 1:45 PM 24/7/08
@skyoon: Agreed
rich8606
Stunt
Posted 1:45 PM 24/7/08
DC Universe Online really looks like it is going to turn out as one hell of a MMO. I can finally fulfill my DC superhero needs. Yay.
Stunt
Agent X
Posted 1:43 PM 24/7/08
With the Marvel MMO no longer in production, I guess if I want to rump in a comic universe it's going to have to be the DCU. I guess that'll work, I wonder will I be able to join the Sinestro Corps. Other then that, I'd love to have a villian put his foot up Superman's ass.
Agent X
2NinjasTapedTogether
Posted 1:28 PM 24/7/08
I like the idea of using your secret identity.
Also... I didn't know this was coming to the PS3. I'm interested. Very interested. How much blood do I need again? I made to donate some.
2NinjasTapedTogether
banana_ridah
Posted 1:14 PM 24/7/08
Hey, Jim Lee, as much as I appreciate your passion and enthusiasm for this project, why don't you finish working on All-Star Batman & Robin? It's been delayed for almost five goddamn months.
banana_ridah
Scubs
Posted 1:11 PM 24/7/08
alter-egos = crafting
You heard it here first
Scubs
GTA4er
Posted 1:03 PM 24/7/08
This game should be awesome. I want me some Batman and Joker
GTA4er
ggodo
Posted 1:02 PM 24/7/08
@goldwings: Unlimited inventory capacity.
@TakuFangirl: I just want Green Lantern's ring.
ggodo
Canuckssleepinthenude
Posted 12:59 PM 24/7/08
Yeah I'm a Marvel guy... but a Jim Lee guy first. One of the best comic artists in my opinion. He is my personal favorite. This just might sway my fanboyism enough to pick this up. Damn, i don't have time for these things...
Canuckssleepinthenude
TakuFangirl
Posted 12:54 PM 24/7/08
@goldwings:
I like it. I'd totally kill Wonder Woman for the Invisible Jet.
TakuFangirl
goldwings
Posted 12:52 PM 24/7/08
Batman's utility belt should be the ultimate drop. Imagaine everything from Kyptonite to Shark repellents. I'll invincible >:)
goldwings
Captain Fury
Posted 12:52 PM 24/7/08
looking forward to this...we need more MMO on consoles
<_<
Captain Fury
TakuFangirl
Posted 12:51 PM 24/7/08
@pulyx:
you might be right. I was just thinking of a world where you create your own evil or good scrub hero. Level him up of course and play in [Enter Hero/Villian Here] quest scenario. In endgame possibly you could align good or evil and use the real heros as AI NPCs (if it was worth a shit of course) and do stuff.
a lot of gaps in my little game of course but that could be a place to start. I'd rather play as my own hero than just become Robin or whatever. That wouldnt work as 100% of all people would be Robin or Aquaman.
TakuFangirl
pulyx
Posted 12:46 PM 24/7/08
@TakuFangirl:
I think most superheroes are sort of untouchable.
What they are trying to do is make a game with NPCs that are LEGENDS. I dunno.
It seems as stupid as a Mortal Kombat vs. DC universe to me.
pulyx
solidsnak
Posted 12:42 PM 24/7/08
As long as Superman is killable I'm interested
solidsnak
fdisk
Posted 12:35 PM 24/7/08
Well, I'm both a huge Jim Lee and Superman fan so I will definitely give this a shot. I'm not too optimistic though, every game that promises to get rid of "The Grind" ends up being a big grindfest; the biggest of which is City of Heroes.
fdisk
TakuFangirl
Posted 12:34 PM 24/7/08
@pulyx:
why wouldnt it be able to work. I can instantly think of a way to come up with a compelling game in this setting that I would play in a heartbeat.
TakuFangirl
pulyx
Posted 12:33 PM 24/7/08
This game couldn't possibily work.
I dunno why jim lee got onboard on this.
Looks like a total shipwreck-to-be.
pulyx
TakuFangirl
Posted 12:33 PM 24/7/08
woops thats DC + Dr. Strange > Marvel. Apologies forumers and Strange fans.
TakuFangirl
TakuFangirl
Posted 12:32 PM 24/7/08
DC - Dr. Strange > Marvel
this game could rock. If Black Adam has a major role it certainly will.
TakuFangirl
pandafresh
Posted 12:31 PM 24/7/08
whens the beta ;)
pandafresh
JimElNino
Posted 12:25 PM 24/7/08
My favorite comic book artist of all time!
JimElNino
Ashurahori
Posted 12:23 PM 24/7/08
The alter-ego idea sounds incredible for an MMO. Hiding your identity and living as a regular citizen should be awesome.
Ashurahori
art_zombie
Posted 12:19 PM 24/7/08
If it's better than CoH, I'm in. If it's more of the same set in the DC universe... ... ...
I'll look forward to another Marvel Ult Alliance title?
art_zombie
maniacmayhem
Posted 12:14 PM 24/7/08
@Shiro_Shishi:
Me too, even when Jim lee was drawing the HUSH story line his Joker was TERRIBLE!
But other than that this sounds like a cool idea. Would love to be a villain and try to take Superman out.
maniacmayhem
skyoon
Posted 12:14 PM 24/7/08
Jim Lee = Awesome
skyoon
Shiro_Shishi
Posted 12:11 PM 24/7/08
hes going to tweak the jokers look? Thank you! Thats the one gripe o had with the MMO.Heres hoping he comes out perfect.
Shiro_Shishi
Blah8
Posted 3:43 PM 24/7/08
So, can you choose to not have any super powers and just be an incredible badass instead? 'cause, you know, that'd be awesome.
Blah8
The_Crotchinator
Posted 3:30 PM 24/7/08
*cries over lack of gaming PC and PS3*
The_Crotchinator
WPack911
Posted 3:25 PM 24/7/08
This game looks like it has the potential to be awesome, I can't wait to get my hands on it and play me a good (maybe even great) MMO on a console.
WPack911
Reule
Posted 3:23 PM 24/7/08
Very interested in this. The entire alter-ego pitch put a fork in me. I really look forward to these impressions.
Reule
osteofight
Posted 4:14 PM 24/7/08
Dude I'd totally spend all my time following Stargirl around
osteofight
mcb650
Posted 4:14 PM 24/7/08
The fact that SOE has their claws in it in ANY capacity scares the hell out of me. And if they handle the "legends" in this game like they did in Star Wars Galaxies, it's nothing to get excited over. All you could really do was see them, talk to them, and do quests for them in some cases. None of which was all that thrilling.
I'm hoping they can pull it off though. It would be awesome if they did.
mcb650
mondog
Posted 5:05 PM 24/7/08
Sounds like CoH.
mondog
exkon
Posted 5:33 PM 24/7/08
God this is going to be awesome.
Hopefully this will get MS and Marvel a kick in the butt to revive their own MMO that was in the works.
exkon
Jonaconda
Posted 6:20 PM 24/7/08
@Scubs: Either crafting or some sort of alternate path to phat lewt like the BGs in WoW. I quit playing right around when Arena gear got introduced, but I'd bet that could be one option for the secret identity.
Hell, the obvious answer is that you need a day job to finance heroism. Unless you're Bruce Wayne, spandex and sweet capes don't come cheap, yo.
Jonaconda
fearing
Posted 9:05 PM 24/7/08
@fearing: Wow, Batman and Robing, awesome, I meant Robin.
fearing
fearing
Posted 9:04 PM 24/7/08
@BelmontHeir: I don't know about that, I think on Superman and Batman he had a few month lead to get a head start. If you read the intro in the All-Star Batman and Robing Hardcover the editor says Frank has had all his scripts in on time despite his major Hollywood comitments. That could be him just trying to be overly complimentary, but it sounds pretty likely to me.
fearing
phloog
Posted 10:53 PM 24/7/08
Please. no. loot.
Rather, if you're going to have loot, make it appear as singular instances per server. I want to play a superhero, not a Christmas tree covered in sparkling nonsense.
"Behold! I have the Eye of Ogamatto"
"Oh, you do? I've got one too!...Bob's still grinding to get his"
(Realizing this was a non-DC example)
Since I think it would be impossible to have unique items (everyone griping or bailing when they can't get the one they want), the best answer is no loot -- seems contrary to almost any comic I've ever read.
phloog
Rondogg
Posted 2:29 AM 25/7/08
Marvel > DC
Rondogg
TWentt37
Posted 2:10 AM 25/7/08
I'm gonna have to get a new computer just to play this
TWentt37
believable_liar
Posted 1:25 PM 24/7/08
@banana_ridah:
I got out of comics already, and the last issue I got was #4 I think. What issue are they by already ?
believable_liar
Mindtaker87
Posted 7:40 PM 24/7/08
@Blah8:
Yeah, apparently you can choose to go the Batman route and be a martial-artist type of character.
Mindtaker87
Frologic
Posted 1:24 PM 24/7/08
Jim "The Pimp" Lee is my hero!!! He's a game! He's a Comic Book artist and fanatic! He's a Fan! He's exactly the type of person I want working on our game! Can't Wait!!!
Frologic
Darth_Xehanort
Posted 12:13 PM 24/7/08
SWEET!
Darth_Xehanort
Enigma_20XX
Posted 9:04 AM 25/7/08
... yeah, I wonder how that All Star Batman and Robin book is coming along...
Enigma_20XX
Sousanator
Posted 1:49 PM 25/7/08
I'm hoping the PS3 version won't have to pay a subscription fee.
If it does, then I might as well get the PC version
Sousanator
banana_ridah
Posted 7:59 AM 27/7/08
@believable_liar: They've released nine issues. #10 is now six months late.
banana_ridah
kronickidd
Posted 2:04 AM 29/7/08
CHAMPIONS ONLINE by the cretors of COH > DCUO
kronickidd
mtheumer
Posted 3:59 AM 29/7/08
@solidsnak: In CoH, there are missions where I can lay the smack-down on Statesman, so I see no reason why Superman or any of the other signature heroes would be off limits.
mtheumer