Podcast 49 – We discuss the latest update for DC UNIVERSE ONLINE, spill the beans on some upcoming DC and Unlimited Network news.  And we get you caught up on all the news leading to DCUO UNLIMITED’s 50th Podcast.

Since Brainiac's arrival, scientists and engineers have been working tirelessly to learn everything possible about the Exobytes Lex Luthor released into the atmosphere. Though many of the Exobytes have found their way to human hosts, more have gone dormant and begun to decay. Game Update 8: Research & Development introduces a new system, brought on by breakthroughs in nanite technology, that will allow Heroes and Villains to find and utilize these unclaimed Exobytes and create powerful Equipment Mods and Consumables.

Beginning at level 10, players can begin utilizing the Research & Development system to give them an edge in battle.

• Gather the Exobits and Exobytes scattered throughout Gotham City, Metropolis, and Central City.
• Some gear that you collect from fallen enemies will be able to be deconstructed at Research & Development stations, providing additional components.
• Acquire Plans for the Equipment Mod or Consumable that you need in the course of your adventures, or purchase from a vendor.
• Find a Research & Development station in a Safe House or in the Hall of Doom or Watchtower to create your new item.
• Equipment Mods can be socketed into gear for powerful benefits, and various Consumables will lend you bonuses for short durations of time.
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We here at DCUO UNLIMITED wish a very happy birthday to DC Universe Online.  Along with these birthday wishes SOE sent us a letter to share with our DCUO Community-

DC Universe Online Marks One-Year Anniversary With Special In-Game Item

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Jan. 11, 2012 - Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) today celebrates DC Universe^™ Online’s one-year anniversary. The award-winning, free-to-play, massively multiplayer online (MMO) game launched last January, becoming the first MMO available for the PlayStation^®3 computer entertainment system and the first MMO based in the DC Universe.

"We broke a lot of new ground with last year’s launch of DC Universe Online, both by successfully creating the first PS3™ MMO community and adding true action combat to the genre," said Lorin Jameson, Executive Director of Development, Sony Online Entertainment. "The free-to-play transition at the end of last year is a proof point that our community is stronger and larger than ever. We are very proud of what we’ve accomplished thus far and look forward to continuously striving to improve the game."

Since January 2011, DC Universe Online has steadily increased its content with downloadable content (DLC) packs and game updates. Players have gained countless in-game items and have been introduced to Ra’s al Ghul, The Fortress of Solitude, Larfleeze, amongst many other notable DC Universe characters and storylines. Along with this, The Flash and Green Lantern have also joined the team, delivering their electricity and light powers to players through paid DLC packs.

"2011 established a foundation for the larger-than-life stories we can tell in-game, and this milestone will kick off a storyline through free content updates and paid DLC that will blow your minds," said Jim Lee, executive creative director of DC Universe Online and co-publisher of DC Comics."

Since launch, DCUO has seen:   

• More than 3.5 million Heroes, more than 2 million Villains
• More than 1.8 million registered players on PC, and more than 2.3 million registered players on PS3
• 3.6 million days of playtime total by all players in-game
• More than 1,200 new NPC characters added since launch
• More than 200 new quests added since launch
• More than 2,500 new items added since launch
• More than 15 new zones added since launch
• More than 1,800 new encounters since launch

To celebrate the game’s one-year anniversary, players will receive a special one-of-a-kind One Year Anniversary Cape that features a number "1" on the back. The cape will be granted to players through their mission journal on January 11. The character must exist on the 11^th to be eligible to receive the mission. However, players do not need to log in on the 11^th; as long as the character exists on the 11^th, players will receive the mission the next time they log in.

Since Brainiac’s arrival, scientists and engineers the world over have been working tirelessly to learn everything possible about the Exobytes Lex Luthor released into the atmosphere. Though many of the Exobytes have found their way to human hosts, still more have gone dormant and begun to decay. Finally, breakthroughs in nanite technology will allow Heroes and Villains to find and utilize these unclaimed Exobytes in the form of powerful Equipment Mods and Consumables! Beginning at level 10, players can begin to enjoy the benefits of modified technology.

Gather Exobits and Exobytes!

The first step in harnessing the untapped power of the Exobytes lies in finding them. Residual Exobytes in the world have broken down into units called Exobits. These smaller pieces are scattered around Gotham City, Metropolis, and Central City. Gather the Exobits, then forge them into new Exobytes of varying qualities at Research and Development stations.

Research Plans!

Of course, before construction can begin, you must decide what kind of item you wish to create. Equipment Mods can be socketed into gear for powerful benefits, and various Consumables will lend you bonuses for short durations of time. Plans for the creation of either can be found throughout the world or purchased at new Research and Development vendors.

Develop Equipment Mods and Consumables!

Once you have learned the appropriate plan, collect the necessary components, including Exobytes, and assemble the new item at a Research and Development station. Equipment Mods come in various colors which, when matched with similarly colored sockets on your gear, can provide even further bonuses and power.

Salvage!

Finally, some gear found in the world can now be deconstructed at Research and Development stations to aid in the process. Salvaging these items will return Research and Development components that can be used in other recipes.

Research and Development is right around the corner, coming soon in Game Update 8.

DC Universe Online has been nominated for the Most Innovative Award and Game of the Year for the MMORPG.com’s Players’ Choice Awards! Vote now!

Great news from DCUO and one that we can all vote on!

www.mmorpg.com/showFeature.cfm/loadFeature/5962/page/1

›	DC Universe Online 23.4%
›	Glitch 15.9%
›	Rift 34.6%
›	Star Wars: The Old Republic 22.4%
›	World of Warcraft 3.7%
(login to vote)

Game Update: Season’s Greedings

Larfleeze is on the Naughty List This Winter in DCUO’s Game Update 7

WHAT: The season of giving has gone awry in DC Universe Online’s (DCUO) latest game update: Season’s Greedings. Larfleeze, greedy, devious leader of the Orange Lanterns, is lashing out at Santa Claus for leaving him empty-handed this year. To retaliate, Larfleeze has hidden stolen holiday items throughout Gotham City and Metropolis until he can ship them back home to the forbidden territory of the Vega System.

Heroes and villains alike will take part in quests to find the stolen presents. Heroes will receive direction from Green Lantern Hal Jordan in the Watchtower, while villains will hear a similar request from the wielder of yellow light, Sinestro in the Hall of Doom. In order to locate the presents, players must search for, and defeat, Larfleeze’s carefully crafted orange construct enemies, created to resemble those he has defeated in the past as a warning sign to any who cross him in the future.

Game Update 7: Season’s Greedings Features: 

• Larfleeze Sightings: Players can receive a Feat if they can spot Larfleeze lurking about Metropolis or Gotham City once a day for, of course, 12 days in a row.
• Watchtower PVP Map: Players can battle it out in a new 5v5 death-match arena located in the Watchtower.
• New Holiday Marketplace Items:
  • Festive Winter Hat – Do you have a jolly side? Have you been wanting to show off your festive spirit? Does your head get cold in that brisk winter air? If so, then this Festive Winter Hat is for you!
  • Reindeer Antlers - Oh, deer! Declare your appreciation for these beloved holiday animals by wearing your very own set of Reindeer Antlers.
• New Holiday Vendor Items:
  • Holiday weapon appearances to give your weapon a sweet new look
  • New Holiday Elf outfit set
  • Snowman form trinket
  • Holiday snowglobe grenade

WHEN: The game update is now available as a free download for players at all three access levels: Free, Premium and Legendary.

Podcast 48 is Here!!! In this show we bring you the latest news from dc universe online and the latest DLC lighting strikes pack.  But we also make this a special show to a True DC Comics Legend Jerry Robinson, Apple shares with us his memory of talking to Jerry Robinson and what he meant to comics.

Get a cool hat and help a worthy cause. You can bet Velocity Burn will be sporting one shortly!

SOE is teaming up with Child’s Play again this year!

Help us support sick children in hospitals around the world this holiday season. $10 can make a big difference!

Child’s Play seeks to improve the lives of children in hospitals around the world through the kindness and generosity of the video game industry and the power of play.

Purchase special Child’s Play items in EverQuest, EverQuest II, Clone Wars Adventures, Free Realms, DC Universe Online, Magic the Gathering Tactics and PoxNora and SOE will donate $10 per item, up to a maximum of $50,000.

These very special items will only be available in the month of December so don’t wait!

In DC Universe Online purchase the "Tall Top Hat!

Give your hero or villain a fresh look in DC Universe Online. Promoting not only style but attitude, the Tall Top Hat not only looks great but helps a worthy cause. "

DC Universe Online is licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment on behalf of DC Entertainment. For more information about DC Universe Online, visit: www.DCUniverseOnline.com.

See Electricity Powers in action and get a glimpse at Central City in this first look at the Lightning Strikes DLC pack, coming December 6!