DCUO Unlimited & DC UNIVERSE UNLIMITED » ps3

PODCAST 63 – SOELIVE 2012 WRAP UP & DLC HOME TURF

Apple — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 04:59:18 +0000

We are back from SOE Live from Vegas!!! It was a great time and event from SOE and we give you the latest run down of our experiance at this years SOELive event. We also go into detail about our talk with DCUO devs and info on the new DLC home turf and the future DLC for DCUO in 2013.

So join us as we dive into to DCUO AT SOELive 2012!

Game update 19 is here!

Dazl — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:36:45 +0000

All servers will be offline Wednesday, 10.10.12, beginning at 7:00 AM PDT to launch Game Update 19! Downtime is expected to last about 5 hours. Click here to convert to your timezone.

Players may notice the following changes:

The Witching Hour

Join us beginning October 16th for The Witching Hour, our new Halloween seasonal event! Gotham City will be decorated for the season, Klarion the Witch Boy will be causing all kinds of ghoulish trouble, and there will be tricks and treats to be had by all!

Research and Development Update!

With Game Update 19 we have added more components and plans to create new Research and Development consumables! Players will have a chance to find these new plans from endgame bosses throughout the game.

Some of the new components, which are required for developing the new items, are available for purchase from Research & Development vendors. Two vendors are now located at Research and Development stations within the Headquarters, one sells only plans and the other, only components. Other new components are dropped by NPCs of various types throughout the game.

The new Research & Development consumables have a variety of potential functions, ranging from offensive combat abilities to disguises for the player!

Tutorial Update!

When players make new characters and go through The Awakening on Brainiac’s ship, they will encounter some new units trying to prevent their escape. Players will need to master Combat Counter mechanics in order to get past these new foes before making it off the ship.

New Mail UI!

We have given the Mail UI a complete overhaul! Beyond the new sleek look, it is now much easier to use! Some of the new features we have added include a Sent tab to see outgoing mail, and an Archive tab for those mails players wish to keep in a safe spot!

A new Compose tab is present as well and features a list of Contacts that will populate with your League mates and friends list! Additionally a bigger, more easily navigated inventory window is now available to players when attaching items to your mail!

Alerts:

Ace Chemicals

Markers will now appear on the mini-map inside Ace Chemicals when players are told to close the valves.

Oan Sciencells

Players are once again forbidden to enter the green rooms where their enemies are preparing for their attack.

Gotham Courthouse

Removed collision from an invisible object in the “runway” area leading up to the Bailiff.

Audio:

Improved music scripting in Metropolis General Hospital Meta Human Wing instance (Villain) to provide a more dramatic experience.

Fixed an issue with hearing disembodied Security Guard voice over while fighting Tiger Lords in the Gotham University Warehouse.

Upon entering the Hall of Doom, Calculator's communicator message can now be heard uninterrupted.

The music scripting in the Penguin's Lair should now make the encounter more cinematic.

Challenges:

Birdcaged: This mission should no longer be granted daily.

Gotham University Warehouse: After defeating the Tiger Boss the radar will no longer look as if there is still an enemy in the room.

The Joker’s Funhouse: Harley Quinn has agreed to stay down even if you decide not to secure her right away and explore the room instead!

Old Gotham Subway: Players can no longer get themselves stuck in the “train room”.

Old Gotham Subway: After defeating Hush, players will no longer be stuck in combat for the remainder of the instance.

Collections:

Investigation: LexCorp Genome Database: The spawn location of the collection in the University room has been adjusted so everyone can now collect it.

Feats:

Speedy Coin is now restricted to only group runs.

You Wouldn't Hit a Lady is now being granted properly.

Shake and Bake: All players will now receive credit for expertly speeding across Little Bohemia in record time.

Organic Gardening: Swamp Thing will now give credit where credit is due and grant the Organic Gardening Feat to those who are worthy.

General:

More Gotham Citizens have learned of the Gang War going on in the Burnley Freight Yards, and therefore they are giving the police a wider berth to deal with the Falcones. Players will no longer see seasonal content or incidental content in that area.

Added a “Show Skill Point Progress in Ability Tray” option to display Feat Point progression in place of the experience progress bar.

Items:

The Crown of the Noble Warrior now uses the correct icon.

The rate at which Research and Development plans drop has been slightly increased

Marketplace:

Form: Angry Gorilla: The Chest Pound ability should no longer cause the player to slide. It can still be cancelled by jumping.

Missions:

The Big Payback: Patrolmen will no longer hold their arms stiffly out to their sides when you strap bombs to their chest.

Hospital Havok: LexCorp Security Agents have pledged to refrain from kicking patients while they are down.

Ice Heist Baby: The crates in the WayneTech Storage Facility are no longer targetable by players during combat.

Falling STARS: When being transformed into Gorilla Form, players will not lose their ability to perform basic attacks.

Queen of Lies: Fixed an issue where all doors would not open after you defeat Aquaman.

Queen of Lies: Aquaman should no longer appear to be flying or falling after heroes have rescued him from Circe's influence and he jumped to be beside Mera.

Shadow Hearts: Fixed an issue where the protect sequence for Shadowmen would sometimes not finish.

Shipping and Handling: Released Falcone Mobsters will now leave the warehouse through the proper doors.

Student Protest: Players should no longer fail to put on a lab coat when attempting to use the DNA Sequencer.

Powers:

Gadgets: Fixed an issue that made the player immune to block counters after using Distract.

PvP:

Ace Chemicals

The initial Capture Points in Ace Chemicals are no longer out of sync with the bulletins.

Diamond Heist

Villain-side money bags should no longer drop into holes in the ground, protecting them from impulses from explosions.

Headquarters Assault

Superman, Gorilla Grodd, and all the other iconic heroes and villains are taking an increased interest in the battle for the Hall of Doom. Look for more heated exchanges between these arch foes in the Hall of Doom Headquarters Assault!

Raids:

Fortress of Solitude: The Sunstone Matrix

General Zod is now dropping the correct Research & Development recipes.

Visual:

HIVE Busting: The HIVE Minder now disappears out of the players' eye sights after his cut scene.

Ice Powers: The visual effects for Frost Snipe will play from the character's left hand when using a bow.

Fire Powers: Mass Detonation has always been vulnerable to interrupt and now the tooltip states this fact.

MPD 3rd Precinct Rookie Flight Challenge: The beginning Race particle no longer clips into the ground.

Queen of Lies: Martian Manhunter will now display the appropriate effects during the Boss Fight.

Weapons:

Due to extensive changes to all weapon trees, players will find all weapon traits reset and those skill points refunded. The starting box for all weapons now automatically includes the attacks performed by holding the melee or range buttons. These attacks no longer must be purchased separately and are part of that base weapon package. Specifically, the following attacks are gained automatically with the base weapon purchase:

Bow: Lunging Stab and Long Draw

Brawling: Lunging Right and Stomp Smash

Dual Pistols: Lunge Strike and Full Auto

Dual Wield: Whirlwind Strike and Charged Double Throw

Hand Blaster: Leap Attack and Charged Blast

Martial Arts: Axe Kick and Heavy Shuriken

One Handed: Quick Chop and Focused Blast

Rifle: Surprise Volley and Grenade Launcher

Shield: Spinning Backhand and Sidearm Throw

Staff: Sweeping Slice and Focused Spin

Two Handed: Lunging Smash and Hammer Throw

One Handed

The Cleave trait description erroneously stated it granted a 1% Crit Chance passive. This text has been removed from the description.

Rifle

Sustaining fire with Rifle Shot for more than 1.5 seconds will now perform a Block Break.

Dual Pistols

Slip Shot and Magnum are now Block Breakers

SOELIVE LINE UP- COME MEET AND HANGOUT WITH APPLE & SHAWN

Apple — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 19:24:41 +0000

DCUO UNLIMITED's very own Apple and Shawn will be at SOELive and will also host a panel for DC Universe Online. Following is the panel Apple and Shawn will be one and the rest of the DCUO line up at soelive. -

Come meet Apple and Shawn on Friday October 19th panel-

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

PP: Power to The People – Fansites

Join representatives from three very different and well-respected fan ventures, DCUO Unlimited, Fanra's EverQuest Wiki and EQII Wire. They'll discuss how they got into running fansites, how they relate to SOE staff and their fellow fans and how they gather information from many sources to form the basis of their offerings. What do they get out of it? This panel is a must for anyone who is interested in running a site, or for those curious as to the how any why! [Apple, Batman expert and founder of DCUO-Unlimited. Sean, a Booster Gold fan and contributor to DCUO-Unlimited since 2009. Fanra, of Fanra's EverQuest Wiki. Morgan Feldon, EQ2Wire and EQ2U.

Palace 2

DCUO at SOELIVE-

Friday October 19th-

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

DCUO: Meet The Devs

Meet the DCUO development team and join them in a discussion on all things DCUO. (Jens Andersen, Creative Director; Jesse Benjamin, Design Director; Mark Halash, Lead Systems Designer)

Palace 3/4/5

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

DCUO: The Next Big Thing

Join the DCUO development team for a special announcement and a discussion on an important new feature! (Jens Andersen, Creative Director; Jesse Benjamin, Design Director; Larry Liberty, Executive Producer)

Palace 1

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

DCUO Live Quest

Join us for the second DCUO Live Quest - spandex optional but always fashionable! Declare your allegiance by joining a live version of DCUO's Legends PvP Arenas. Groups of 10 will battle for Las Vegas as their favorite DC Heroes and Villains!

Palace 3/4/5

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

PP: Advanced PvP in DCUO

Prepare to dominate your PvP game in DCUO! This presentation will incorporate video and slides crafted by veteran DCUO players. [Ryan Armendariz has been at the forefront of educating players (and Devs, he maintains) on various PvP mechanics in DCUO. Bryce Wong, aka "JT," intially focused on PvE progression but soon began to explore and excel in PvP. Kevin Lehrfield, known as "Slob" by too many, quickly became one of the strongest players in game, albeit one of the least vocal... until now.]

Palace 1

Saturday October 20th-

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

DCUO: The Evolution of PVP in DCUO

A fascinating look at the hisorty and future of PvP in DC Universe Online! (Jesse Benjamin, Design Director; Mark Halash, Lead Systems Designer; Steve Wyckoff, Programmer

Palace 2

1:30 PM – 5:30 PM

DCUO Legends PVP Tournament

Heroes! Villains! Pair up with a friend or forge a last-minute two-person team at the event to battle for supremacy!

Grand Ballroom

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

DCUO: Combat in DCUO – Real-time Dynamic Combat on a Massive Scale

Join our discsussion covering Powers, Weapons and more, this talk goes over what DCUO does well and where we plan to improve combat going forward. (Jesse Benjamin, Design Director; Mark Halash, Lead Systems Designer; Larz Smith, Senior Programmer; Steve Wyckoff, Programmer)

Palace 3/4/5

PODCAST 62 – WE ARE BACK AND SOELIVE

Apple — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 03:40:30 +0000

We are back!!! Podcast 62 we dive into the latest news from DCUO and talk about SOELive!! Join us for this exciting new episode.

The Witching Hour!

Apple — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 23:55:48 +0000

Trick…or treat? Game Update 19 features a new seasonal event for Halloween – The Witching Hour! This October, Gotham City is getting a ghoulish makeover, and there are tricks and treats aplenty to go around. Don't miss this exciting new event in DC Universe Online!

Chaos in Gotham City!

Klarion the Witch Boy is stealing the powers of Heroes and Villains throughout the DC Universe and using them to cause quite a bit of Halloween mischief on the streets of Gotham City. Apparitions of all kinds are rising from the earth and tormenting trick-or-treaters. Heroes, it will be up to you to save the civilians, and Villains, well, you should be able to find some way to take…advantage…of the situation.

The Midnight Masquerade!

It's not Halloween without a great, ghoulish costume party, and Klarion is no slouch when it comes to throwing parties. He's taken over a club in the city and casting spells on innocent civilians, forcing them to attend. Whether Hero or Villain, you are going to have good reason to crash this party. Be careful, though. The powers Klarion has stolen are from some of the world's most powerful magic users, and look out for his cat, Teekl, too.

Treats!

Of course, we have treats to earn throughout the event. You'll find new trinkets, a new pet, and of course a ton of new Halloween-themed styles.

The Witching Hour will soon be available on the PC Test server along with the rest of Game Update 19, and will be moving to live in early October. If you have a Legendary Membership on PC, please come over and try out the new content! If you don't, stay tuned for more information and get ready for when the event goes live. You won't want to miss it!

New weapon style packs are now available in the Marketplace!

Dazl — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 19:31:48 +0000

Fiery Weapon Style Pack

Is it getting hot in here? Smoke the competition with these Fiery weapon styles!This pack includes: Fiery Blade, Fiery Staff, Fiery Bludgeon, Fiery Shield, Fiery Bow, Fiery Rifle, Fiery Cestus, Fiery Blasters, Fiery Claws, Fiery Axes, Fiery Pistols, These items are redeemable for every character on the account, and they are not tradeable. The color of these items is not affected by your color palette.

Voltaic Weapon Style Pack

Shock your friends and blitz your enemies with these exciting Electricity weapon styles! This pack includes: Voltaic Blade, Voltaic Staff, Voltaic Bludgeoner, Voltaic Shield, Voltaic Bow, Voltaic Rifle, Voltaic Cestus, Voltaic Blasters, Voltaic Claws, Voltaic Axes, Voltaic Pistols These items are redeemable for every character on the account, and they are not tradeable. The color of these items is not affected by your color palette.

by dazl

Superman and Zod Coming to PvP

Dazl — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 18:01:32 +0000

Play Legends PvP as the Man of Steel or as his nemesis! Superman and General Zod are coming soon to the Marketplace!

Game Update 18 Patch notes for PC test server

Dazl — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 14:55:31 +0000

Game Update 18 PC Test Notes

Game update 18 is now available to test for the pc test server, here are the patch notes for the update.

Content Restructuring

Many Challenges, Duos and Alerts have had their difficulty tiers increased in order to offer a smoother progression and a full range of content availability. In addition, a number of new challenge modes have been added! These higher tiered instances now offer upgraded loot and level appropriate rewards.

Although the amount of available content at the lower tiers was decreased, the time required to progress through any given tier remains or has been decreased due to adjustments in tier item costs.

Challenge Improvements

Challenge modes can now be accessed through the On-Duty menu. The missions associated with Challenge modes have been removed and are no longer available. If you still have one of these missions in your journal, they can still be completed normally.

Commendations

Completing a Challenge mode will now award a commendation that grants renown. Using this item increases your standing with that group by 125. Faction commendations may also be purchased from the appropriate faction vendor for 25 Marks of Triumph.

Currency Unification

Marks of Distinction, Marks of Momentum and Marks of Krypton will no longer be awarded and can no longer be used to purchase items. All Tier 1 through 3 items are now purchased with Marks of Triumph. Content that used to award Marks of Distinction, Momentum and Krypton now awards Marks of Triumph. The number of Marks of Triumphs awarded and the cost to purchase items increases with each tier.

Marks of War are still used to purchase Tier 4 items and are still awarded for success in Tier 4 content.

Currency Conversion

Marks of Distinction, Marks of Momentum and Marks of Krypton can be converted to Marks of Triumph. You will find a mission in your journal that will point you toward a vendor in the Watchtower or Hall of Doom that offers conversion packages. These convert your old marks into the appropriate number of Marks of Triumph. As an added bonus, you will receive a Token of Merit for every mark converted! There is no cash cost associated with converting. Token of Merit vendors also offer the same conversion package.

Marks of Distinction convert at a rate of 1 for 5. Marks of Momentum convert at a rate of 1 for 10. Marks of Krypton convert at a rate of 1 for 25.

Tier Items

The purchase of tiered items is now restricted by Combat Rating. The combat rating required to purchase a tiered item is equal to the Combat Rating required to qualify for that content.

Bonus Awards

You will now receive a Weekly Award box the first time you complete a Tier 1 through Tier 3 challenge, duo or alert within a week. This award box offers a random level appropriate item as well as additional Marks of Triumph. Using replay badges to unlock the instance will also unlock the weekly award.

Furthermore, Tier 2 and Tier 3 raids will award a Monthly Raid Award box. This box includes a random raid level item and additional Marks of Triumph. Like the Weekly Awards, using replay badges to unlock the raid will also unlock the Monthly Raid Award.

Match and Duo/Challenge Boss

Many Challenge and Duo mode bosses have learned some new tricks! Many will now use familiar weapon combos as well as Block. Their attacks may both inflict and be vulnerable to counter attack mechanics such as Blocking, Interrupt and Block Breaking.

“Match” rank NPCs in solo and duo content, such as Circe’s Bestiamorph Rhinos and the Joker’s Wag goons, now have more Health but do less damage. Many will now use familiar weapon combos as well as Block. These attacks may both inflict and be vulnerable to counter attack mechanics such as Blocking, Interrupt and Block Breaking.

———————-

Alerts:

Ace Chemicals

Each Boss in Ace Chemicals has agreed to keep the hallway doors open to ensure their enemies can gain access.

Blüdhaven

Chemo will no longer stand idly by and stare at you if he doesn't feel like jumping.

Fixed various issues with the Transporting of Supplies.

Fixed an issue where players who were further away from Chemo would sometimes not see him during the Cinematic.

Courthouse

The Supreme Justice will no longer refuse those who wish to enter his chambers.

League of Assassins Stronghold

Ra's al Ghul sharpened the blades in his trap room. They should be much more deadly now.

Watchtower Containment Facility

The System Hacker can now be damaged by all attacks.

Challenges:

Gotham University Museum

Fixed an issue where the Tiger Boss would refuse to jump and attack his enemies.

Metropolis University

Power Girl and Parasite have a brand new exchange at the beginning of their Metropolis University challenge mission.

Collections:

Marine Life Fossils and Atlantean Artifacts no longer have a required level needed to add them to your collections.

Combat:

Super powers with a damage component that are usable while controlled may no longer be used while under a control effect that cannot be broken such as counter attacks.

Currency:

Commendations are now available from factional vendors in the Watchtower and the Hall of Doom. These items can be purchased with Marks of Triumph and award renown with those specific factions when used.

Marks of Triumph will now be rewarded or drop in place of Marks of Distinction, Krypton and Momentum. Whenever more than one Mark of Triumph is dropped or mailed, a physical representation of the mark will drop into your inventory that must be used to add the marks to your currency tab.

Tier 2 and Tier 3 iconic armor sets and items are now purchased with Marks of Triumph.

The cost to purchase Tier 1 iconic armor sets has been reduced.

Tier 2 iconic armor sets and items are now purchased with Marks of Triumph and require a minimum combat rating of 43 to purchase.

Lightning Strikes DLC iconic armor sets and items are now purchased with Marks of Triumph and require a minimum combat rating of 53 to purchase.

Tier 3 iconic armor sets and items are now purchased with Marks of Triumph and require a minimum combat rating of 53 to purchase.

Tokens of Merit Vendor

Tokens of Merit for Marks of Distinction, Momentum, Krypton and War have been replaced by Currency Conversion Packages. These packages contain the same Tokens of Merit as before and also award Marks of Triumph at the following rate: Distinction converts at 1 for 5, Momentum at 1 for 10, Krypton at 1 for 25 and War at 1 for 65.

Duos:

Cape Carmine Lighthouse

Villain: Nightwing will no longer open the door for you if you are defeated and decide to return for another beat-down.

Metropolis City Hall

Hero: Treasure Chest will now always spawn properly.

Old Gotham Subway

Players should no longer run into an issue where they can not complete the instance.

Removed collision from various invisible objects that may interfere with players in combat.

Pengbot Maximus’ spin attack is now vulnerable to block and causes interrupt.

Pengbot Maximus’ “Beak Attack” which he uses at low health, is now vulnerable to interrupt and causes appropriate damage.

Items:

The Novice Guardian's Badge should now have the correct activated effect.

The Prime Battleground Raid should now have a chance of dropping an Unattuned Prime Shield.

Missions:

Intro to Daily Instances tasks no longer send you to the daily challenge kiosk.

Caging Penguin

The pointer mission no longer sends you to the Watchtower or the Hall of Doom. You now are sent directly to the Penguin Challenge instance.

Deadly Mischief

Hero: The lockers inside the playroom can no longer be targeted.

Hero: Rescued Police Officers should now walk instead of slide after you release them.

Heroes can no longer target the Mainframe they have sworn to protect.

Exobyte Eclipse

Various objects in this instance are no longer targetable.

The First Clue

GCPD officers and Rescued Citizens should now run away instead of de-spawn.

Lunar Eclipse

Players should no longer remain in combat after defeating Zatanna.

Zatanna's beam attack will no longer display an impact particle on a player until zoning out of the instance.

Party Time!

Joker Gas now only affects enemies in the playroom.

Blue Barrels will now freeze enemies.

Rite Wronged

Villain: Deathstroke should no longer be afraid to show himself when you are fighting Bruno Mannheim.

Villain: Batwoman can no longer get knocked off of the alter during your scuffle with Bruno Mannheim.

The Root of Evil

Poison Ivy is no longer camera shy and will appear in all of her camera shots.

Queen of Lies

Aquaman is no longer capable of stopping players from moving for long periods of time.

Powers:

Fire

Absorb heat will now display the proper effects while using a shield weapon.

Light

Snap Trap will now apply damage over time in control role when used from your power tray.

Nature

Effects from canine form's ability Sneak are now removed when zoning to a new location.

PvP:

The Decoy consumable uses white effects to help differentiate it from the new Gadgets Holographic Decoy.

Arenas

Ace Chemicals: On-Screen Text should now remain in sync with capture point information.

Fortress of Solitude: Once again and forever more, you do not want to be locked in the center room.

Legends

Bane, Arkillo, and Kilowog legends are now able to weaponize larger objects, bringing them in line with other legends.

Races:

Old Gotham Expert Speedster Challenge:

If you are on the race, NPCs will no longer agro you, as long as you don’t attack, interact, or do anything other than racing. Please note, if you already have NPCs hating and attacking you when you start the race, they will continue to hate you.

Decreased the number of spawns around the Race Start area and along the coastline.

Raids:

Batcave: The Inner Sanctum

Zetta-Drone should no longer become bitter and prevent groups from advancing if it is defeated quickly.

Fortress of Solitude: Power Core

The first Bosses should no longer occasionally spawn in pairs.

Themyscira: The Gates of Tartarus

The Avatar of Magic is no longer open to trickery that allows his enemies to zerg him.

UI:

The following instances have been adjusted or added:

Poison Ivy Challenge –> Moved to Tier 2

Metropolis University (Power Girl) Challenge –> Moved to Tier 2

Catwoman Challenge –> Moved to Tier 2

Two-Face Challenge –> Moved to Tier 2

Scarecrow Challenge –> NEW Tier 2

Old Star Labs (Flash Family) Challenge –> NEW Tier 2

Coast City Alert –> Moved to Tier 3

League of Assassins Alert –> Moved to Tier 3

Strykers Island Penitentiary Alert –> Moved to Tier 3

Arkham Asylum Alert –> Moved to Tier 3

Regal Hotel Challenge –> NEW Tier 3

Secret STAR Labs Challenge –> NEW Tier 3

Circe Stronghold Challenge –> NEW Tier 3

Riddler Challenge –> NEW Tier 3

Eclipso Challenge –> NEW Tier 3

Cape Carmine Lighthouse Duo–> Moved to Tier 3

Ferris Aircraft Duo–> Moved to Tier 3

Old Gotham Subway Duo–> Moved to Tier 3

Visual:

Robin makes an impressive new entry into the fight against Poison Ivy. But, she still seems to have him right where she wants him…under her control!

Weapon Types:

Brawler

Headbutt has been renamed to Hammer Fist.

Light

Corrected an issue that could prevent comboing from the weapon attack version of Minigun

The Combo Counter is now located at the top of the screen.

Combat

New counter attack effects to message block breakers, interrupts and block counters.

5th DLC Announced!!!

Dazl — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 16:32:11 +0000

Hand of fate producers letter

Hello everyone,

I'm pleased to announce DC Universe Online's next DLC Pack – Hand of Fate! This marks our fifth DLC Pack, and it is unlike anything we've offered to date. It brings a whole new type of gameplay designed from the ground up to draw players out into our iconic, open-world cities, Gotham City and Metropolis. Featuring loads of side missions and a whole new type of group mission we call Operations, Hand of Fate will enrich our massive open world areas in unexpected ways, deepening and enlivening the game as players encounter not just the world and its challenges, but each other along the way. We are also excited to introduce Utility Belt Attachments. This handy item greatly expands loadout options and makes it viable to use more trinkets, toys, and consumables – ultimately opening the door to more fun and deeper tactics. Personally, I could never justify keeping a toy equipped when I played, no matter how fun it was, but now it's easy to have one at the ready. Read on for details!

Hand of Fate

I don't want to share too much yet about the backstory for Hand of Fate, but it will pit Doctor Fate and his heroic supporters against the evil sorcerer Felix Faust and his villainous cohorts in a classic tale of magic and mystery. Even as the world reels from Brainiac's invasion, other forces are moving, and dangerous plots are afoot. And when there's magic involved, anything can happen.

Operations

Operations, our new group missions, are what make the open-world magic possible. You can think of Operations as Raids or Alerts that can be set in the open-world, but they're more than that. For example, while on an Operation, up to eight players will be queued up in a starting instance to defeat a challenge alongside their iconic ally. After they win this challenge, they will go out into the open-world to take on the next stage of the operation. Players can split up in smaller groups to accomplish certain objectives, but they will find others require the entire group working as a team. In short, you and your friends will be able to tackle more and more varied content than ever before – in the open world! You'll probably find the new map UI from Game Update 17 extremely useful here!

Why Operations? We wanted to take high level players back out to Gotham and Metropolis, our most iconic and, by far, biggest locations, and add more excitement and activity all across the cityscapes. When the team first started talking about this, I had visions of new players being drawn to witness an epic battle between 8 top-tier players and a powerful boss, witnessing the high-level splendor firsthand, just like in the comics.

There's more to it, though. Players don't have to just watch. They can choose to get involved, and that's the type of emergent experience that I think will set DCUO and Hand of Fate apart. Especially on PvP phases, I expect this to create fireworks, awesome battles, and real strategy and competition in the open world. Along with that, one nice surprise for villains is that more than ever, villainous content will truly be villainous! It's from the perspective of the villains. I know that's been a touchy subject with many of our villains, forced to work long and hard alongside heroes in defeating Brainiac. Your pleas have not fallen on deaf ears! You get to be evil.

Side Missions

Along with Operations, Hand of Fate will feature roughly 60 side missions. Let me repeat that. 60 missions. These are similar to the Level 1-30 content that a lot of our players really enjoyed and have been asking for again. These missions are fun and add depth to the narrative and world, and of course offer their own rewards. I think players will really enjoy the everyday variety and challenges side missions have to offer.

Utility Belt Attachments

Last but certainly not least, I wanted to offer a little more information on Utility Belt Attachments. This feature is a useful and fun upgrade for players in all aspects of the game. There will be a variety of Utility Belts – offering anywhere from two to four Utility Compartments or Slots. The slots themselves can vary – some will only accept certain kinds of items, though the rarest will include Wild Card slots that allow you to equip any kind of trinket or consumable. Depending on the belt, you can equip offensive and defensive consumables, toys, or trinkets. As I mentioned earlier, most belts have pre-defined slots, encouraging balanced loadouts. One of the benefits of this is that it will actually make sense for more players to make use of toys. Toys have always been fun to play around with, but were not something that you could generally use much on Live (I normally use a more sensible trinket that offers the best combat benefit). With the additional capacity offered by Utility Compartments, I expect to see a lot more people using Toys (Dice, Balls, etc.) and Pets. These really do make the game more fun.

With that, I'll say goodbye. Remember to look for more information on Hand of Fate as we get closer to launch in the second half of September. We'll have a lot more to share.

Best,

Larry Liberty

Executive Producer

DC Universe Online

Report by Dazl

DCUO Legends is now available in 3 trade paperbacks

Dazl — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 22:33:46 +0000

The complete DC Universe Online Legends Comic is now available in three trade paperback volumes! Experience the DCUO adventure in a whole new way in this comic series inspired by the game.

visit www.comicbreak.com to get your copy or

http://comicbreak.com/dc-comics-digital-store.html for their digital store

by dazl