Interview: Green Kaoz of The Others

Recently Daily Planet reporter Jake Miller had the opportunity to have the infamous vigilante Green Kaoz do a write-in interview in response to his recent editorial "Green Kaoz: Savior or Menace?" allegedly a member of the mysterious vigilante sect The Others. Unfortunately, Green Kaoz wasn't at all cooperative in  his response interview, read the details below.

Premium Character Create?

While creating the character to specifications was certainly a big draw to DCUO, who knew it was THIS big. After polling several hardcore players and being surprised how many weren't 100% satisfied with DCUO's Character Create, the Daily Planet group sat down and had a discussion about how many of the hardcore fans that must have their characters "just right" could be given a system they could be happy with, and one that would still appeal to and be realistic for the brains behind DCUO.

Lost Power Files: Teleporting

Another ability we haven't heard much about is the teleport. While the ability itself is certainly in-game, we're referring more to the in-combat teleport that avoids a falling building or gets the teleporter out of the way of bullets, energy bolts and other manners of danger that would otherwise send him or her promptly to respawn.

User Interview: The Others' Hornet

Recently we had a chance to interview the man behind "The Hornet" of the anti-hero group The Others. As a veteran MMO player, he had some pretty interesting views on the current state of MMOs, what makes DCUO unique and what things DCUO can do to avoid the pitfalls of other superhero-themed MMOs.

Should we see a change regarding "Dying" in DCUO?

Suggestion: Reputation

We know we're not alone in hoping that much like having the ability to progress or characters with XP and other in-game items, that we can gain Reputation as well.

Interview: Shamrock of the PeaceKeepers

Recently Channel 11's Dexter Matthews had the pleasure of sitting down with Shamrock of the Peacekeepers at a recent Mayoral fundraiser. He answered some questions about how he became a member of the PKers, their relationship with the JLA and his unique method of balancing hero and "real" life. We've included subtitles below. In some instances his accent is pretty thick.

Lost Power Files: Invisibility

Here's another classic super-ability that we haven't heard alot about on the DCUO front.This one's pretty easy to read, however. From a balance standpoint invisibility can create some pretty significant issues. Not being able to see the enemy is BIG disadvantage if we ever saw one.

Interview: Deacon of The Coalition

When I first reached out to the vigilante Deacon in an ad in the back pages of The Daily Planet, I had no idea how he would respond to my request for an interview. After we exchanged a few emails and agreed on a meeting place, I found out just how concerned the members of Gotham's underground vigilante sect are with protecting their secret identities and avoiding potential traps setup by elements of Gotham's organized crime, or sadists like the Scarecrow. As I entered the fog-filled alley he recommended as our meeting place, I was violently grabbed from behind and my shirt was quickly forced over my head,  I was instantly lifted into the air and the sensation of rapid movement ensued--making me dizzy beyond belief. When the sensation stopped, and gathered myself, I was in a darkened room and a bright light shone into my face. From what I could gather in my semi-groggy state, our interview would take place in the security of a dusty basement at some unknown location. I was terrified, and although the witty answers and playful personality from the man known as Deacon alleviated my concerns a bit, there is no question there was an air of mystery that blanketed the entire encounter. The following is what transpired:

"The Five MMO Essentials"

contributed by Force of The Coalition.
 

Our next user-article focuses on the necessary elements of making a good MMO.We hope SOE focuses on all of these extremely relevant points.

Lost Power Files: Telekinesis and the ability to Manipulate objects

This one's gonna be tough.

Interview: Gila Girl of the Wild Knights

The following interview is an excerpt of a recent Vogue Hero interview done with Gila Girl of the Wild Knights. She goes in on the Knights' move to Metropolis, why she's a sex-symbol and why so many heroes are appearing recently.

The PeaceKeepers are coming to Metropolis!

It's a symbol that instills fear in the hearts of criminals everywhere. The famous gold olive-branched PeaceKeepers logo. Villains beware, these veteran heroes are coming to clean up Metropolis and God help the criminal unfortunate enough to cross their paths when they arrive. We can walk our streets knowing we will be protected and safe from criminals--super-powered or otherwise. The gauntlet has been thrown evil-doers. PREPARE YOURSELVES.

Suggestion: More Physics

We've received high number of emails regarding some of the lack of physics with the release of the footage from IGN's Live DCUO Demo from the beta. My opinion is this: "Relax, its still the beta people, it's supposed to have kinks, glitches and other little elements that need fixing. That's what beta is FOR." many of these so-called issues are going to be worked out. TRUST ME.

Interview: Akusai of the Legion of Chaos

Trent Goodman had always taken advantage of opportunities and tonight would be no different, where many people saw disruption, he often saw a chance for heroism and more ways to be more famous than he already was. Trent had done local news for two years and four weeks ago had moved onto a CNN night-time shift that no one wanted. Until now--during his drab only-insomniacs-are-up-at-this-hour broadcast, the super-criminal Akusai had used some device to pirate the broadcast with the intention of revealing some insidious plot, scheme or threat to the people unfortunate enough to be up at this hour. Wasn't this how Dan Rather made a name for himself? It sure was, he had seized his opportunity during the JFK Assassination and had used that chance to rise within the ranks of journalism. And Trent would do the same, the instant Akusai had finished his monologue, Trent rapid-fired questions at the criminal in front of the remaining national tv audience.

Metropolis Chinatown Overview

More info from the released PC beta keeps pouring in. Here's an example of the sheer size and scope of DCUO. The video below shows us the level of detail as well. Watch as our hero battles it out in the Chinatown section of Metropolis.

IGN Demo Impressions

Many of us had the privilege of viewing the IGN Live Demo of DCUO this weekend. Talk about some good stuff! IGN ran two separate segments with both Hero and Villain gameplay that showed off many of the game's mechanics and features.This opportunity got many of us SUPER excited about what's to come from DCUO. The title is shaping up to be everything we thought it could be. Our impressions are below.

Interview: Slipshod of the PeaceKeepers

Recently teen-heartthrob Slipshod sat down with FOX News' Bill O'Reilly as part of the PeaceKeeper's "Move to Metropolis" campaign. The youngest-always-playful member of the PeaceKeepers answered questions on a variety of subjects.

"Casting Points"

The ability to control where our powers originate or appear from is HUGE. Its one of the most critical parts of customization. Maybe we want our black flame powers to fire from our hands (or even fingertips) maybe we want them to generate from our power staff. Say i want Dragon Man to fire his flame from his mouth? Get the point? There might be dozens of different variations. Though this may seem tedious, from and Immersion standpoint this type of customization is key. Many players have had these characters in their minds for years, if they can create them but have to compromise too much on the how he or she "exists" inside DC Universe they'll be disappointed. Too much disappointment means less players--A BAD THING.

Here's to hoping the customization reaches a "you gotta see this!" level very shortly. Its sooo good for the game.

User Interview: Tremor of the PeaceKeepers

In our next User Interview, we sat down with the "real" Tremor and got some of his opinions on the state of DCUO and the community pre-release.

"Say the Vanguardians, one of our allies, disagrees with something we're doing in a story? How epic would that be to see the Vanguardians .vs. the Peacekeepers? Like Civil War, baby!"

Suggestion: In-Game Economy

Imagine the implications of an In-Game Economy. The ability to exchange XP for MP (Money Points) or CP (Construction Points) could be game-changing. It could turn a "fighting game" into a true MMO and add depth to a person making appearances in their Secret IDs, building structures, constructing vehicles or just taking Lois Lane on a date. Imagine putting our characters in Secret ID mode during our offline time and returning a few days later and having a solid amount of Money Points from their daily pilgrimage to their 9 to 5 at the local steel mill. But what are Money Points good for? What else? How cool would it be the drive a nice car, live in a nice house and have countless skins to choose from when we're in our Secret Identity.

User Interview: Ultima of the Teen League

In our first user-interview, we sat down with the young man behind the hero Ultima and discussed all things DCUO.

"The number one strength in the game has to be that they are working with DC to help produce the game. This gives them access to place things in this game that other games and MMO's aren't able to reach or get to. And of course, over time, this will add and be more awesome. It's like one big movie and I'm playing the part of my own hero via the game."
--Ultima

"The Case of the Flaming Four" episode 1

contributed by The Coalition's Deacon

It was around 9:45pm. It was cold and raining--a bad combination. It had been a long time coming but Kenneth Lee had finally made the move to Gotham 2 weeks ago. Once he arrived in town, he quickly found a job at Robinson Park Diagnostics, a local computer diagnostic repair shop located right outside of Robinson Park. He also found residence within about 30 minutes of where he worked. But this isn't why Lee came to Gotham. In the southern states, super heroes weren't looked upon as kindly as they were up north and the calls for his alter ego, Deacon, to leave Memphis, TN had come to a fever pitch and he felt like he could probably do more good in a place that "accepted super heroes", Deacon thought to himself as he was sat perched on a stone gargoyle high above the city.

Interview: Lunar Ray of the PeaceKeepers

Lunar Ray. The Myth, The Legend. As I sat in the presence of this hero villains have cowered before for over 60 years, I was awestruck by the sheer size of the man. BIG simply doesn't do the man justice. Still appearing to be a fresh, chiseled, vibrant man in his late 20s as the result of his powers, When he appeared early for our interview in full uniform, I was more than impressed. I found him a humble, gentle and balanced man wise beyond his years (which is saying something) Lunar Ray has watched Pearl Harbor bombed, has witnessed soldiers storm Normandy's beaches, passed through Vietnam and the popular deaths of 60s heroes like both Kennedy Brothers and the Rev. Martin Luther King Junior. While he was largely inactive in the 70s, 80s and 90s, he emerged like a phoenix at the millennium, and the world is a better place for it.

Attention DCUO Community: We Need You

Make no mistake, we're user-driven and while we want to print the stuff that keeps the game fresh, interesting and gives this great MMO a new dynamic, we need your help to accomplish this. want us to be more specific? well why didn't you say so? WE NEED:

New Class: Vigilante

Where's the vigilante?

Wishlist: Grappling Hooks/Virtual Comic Shop

Earlier, forum poster Cross mentioned two of the better suggestions that we've seen in some time. Grappling Hooks? wow that's virtually a no-brainer wouldn't you agree? The one that caught us off guard was his description of a Virtual Comic Shop. Here's what he wrote:

NYCC Cao Interview #2

Here's another interview from the NYCC focusing on Character Creation. ENJOY.

Suggestion: Nemesis/Arch-Enemy

Every Hero or Villian has his or her one single arch-rival that most of their resources are focused on utterly defeating.

NYCC Cao Interview

Here, Chris does an interview with our very own DCUOS. Some good information in here.

"Path to Legendary" Trailer

Here's the of The Path to Legenday Trailer. ENJOY.

Suggestion: Illusions

Some time ago, Satyq mentioned an illusion powerset that could be well done in DCUO. He wrote: We've heard the devs talk about the Martian Manhunter like trick of making yourself look like the enemy, but what other types of powers would you think would compliment this? Vanishing into thin air? Making copies of yourself that appear and fight alongside you? Make yourself grow to 20 feet and shoot a phantom machine gun at your enemies ala the Scarecrow video? The old stand-by of turning enemies into fluffy bunny rabbits so they can't attack you? What kind of powers do you think an illusionist would be able to pull off in DCUO?

Suggestion: Spatial Chat

While Gyant revealed that DCUO will have fully-functioned MMO-style text chat as well as full voice chat and controls via the Vivox system, many have mentioned how much a well-done Spatial Chat (also known as Proximity) would add to gameplay. While we can certainly expect the Emotes and Gestures to be well done, few features can rival the ability to tell your enemies how little a chance their evil plan/heroic deed has to succeed, in addition to any other classic Hero/Villian monologue we might devise.

Could we see Spatial Chat in DCUO? Only the developers know for certain.

UPDATE: here are some details on the Vivox System.  http://tinyurl.com/2c7655k

The "Wait" for the Beta

While the momentum of DCUO was slowed somewhat by the announcement that the game itself was being delayed until 1st Qtr 2011, the news that beta keys were being submitted to some and that the beta would be available "soon" was enough to excite many fans of the upcoming title.