DC Universe Online Preview

Eurogamer has whipped up a three-page preview of SOE’s DC Universe Online based on a demonstration given by creative director Chris Cao.

It’s carnage on the city streets. Zombified citizens launch endless attacks as dozens of superheroes, both famous and unfamiliar, battle it out. Everywhere you look there are cars being thrown down the street, giant ice cubes flying about, characters zipping along the ground and zooming through the air. It’s all a bit, well, odd. Just why have all these superheroes suddenly appeared in Metropolis, anyway? Cao won’t say, but apparently you’ll find out as you progress through the game.

He will talk about the character creation system, even though we’re not being allowed to try it out at this stage. There are three components to every hero or villain, including the previously discussed movement type. Power type refers to the element your character’s abilities are based around – ice, fire, electricity and light are given as examples, and more will be revealed in future. And finally there’s your power source, which refers to the way your power manifests itself. This might be pistols, swords or daggers, but, “It’s not like a normal MMO weapon slot, it’s more a part of your character that grows with you,” says Cao.

Every player-controlled character in the game will be original – you can’t “be” Batman or Superman, for example. “The reason for that is, we want them to feel real,” Cao explains. “The best way to make Superman feel real isn’t to have you play just another Superman in another Superman game, but to have your own character, and earn the right to fight alongside him.” And to earn that right, you’ll have to level up and prove yourself in the DC universe. “So come the day Superman asks for your help, you’ll get a chill, because you know you’re good enough; you’re powerful and respected enough to have reached that echelon.”

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