DC Universe Online, the first project out of Sony Online's Austin studio, explores the various worlds of DC Comics' superheroes and villains. A massively-multiplayer experience, DC Universe Online brings high-energy action to the forefront with a combat system designed to deliver a fast-paced action experience with the extraordinary powers of your personally created heroes and villains at your disposal. Battle with or against their favorite DC Super Heroes and Villains including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and The Joker. We recently had the chance to chat with Jens Andersen, the Creative Director on DC Universe Online for Sony Online Entertainment-Austin, now let him give us more details about DCUO.
MMOsite: I am glad that we have this opportunity to do an interview with you. To start, can you make a brief introduction to yourself and your team?
Jens Andersen: My name is Jens Andersen and I am the Creative Director on DC Universe Online
MMOsite: Could you give us a brief introduction about the gameworld of DC Universe Online in your own words?
Jens Andersen: Sure! DC Universe is an action-MMO for PS3 and the PC. Players get to step through the door into places like Gotham, Metropolis and tons of other fantastic locations from the comics. Once there they will fight along side or against some of the most famous heroes and villains in the world. And the cool thing is, we're making you their equal.
MMOsite: How would you describe the artistic style of DC Universe Online? And the background?
Jens Andersen: The entire game is based on the artistic vision of Jim Lee. He is the comic book legend at WildStorm Productions and he's also the executive creative director for DCUO. It's a slick looking game and every time we show it people are really amazed at what they see. I think the game looks amazing and I can't wait for people to see how each of the environments contrast each other. Gotham feels very different from Metropolis. The game looks amazing! Kudos to our Art Director Jared Carr and his amazing team.
MMOsite: Frankly speaking, this game reminds me of City of Heroes and City of Villains. What impacts have these past comic book games had on the development of DC Universe Online?
Jens Andersen: Well I'll be frank as well, we need to get this game in your hands so you can put that notion behind you. Other than the fact that we are a super hero genre we are completely different. And it isn't just the IP that sets us apart. We've built a game form the ground up focused on the power fantasy of being a super hero. This meant we were willing to make changes to the MMO mold that supported that direction. There is no auto attack, to hit rolls, etc. We didn't just skin an MMO and put capes on our characters. This is a completely new breed that includes action, physics and an epic scope to the world we are creating.
MMOsite: Where does the development for DC Universe Online stand now? Can you reveal us some info on the dates for commercial launch?
Jens Andersen: We are really pleased and excited with how development on DCUO is coming along. We have not announced a release date yet.
