Character Breakdown: Lady Abigail

Recently we were fortunate enough to interview another community stalwart in Lady Abigail of the DCUO-Unlimited website. We hope you enjoy our Character Breakdown style interview which allows us to delve a little further into well-developed characters. In one of our most informative interviews ever, "Abi" gives us some insight on playing a female character, how much MMOs have changed in their short time and how DCUO can avoid the pitfalls of other MMOs. Be sure to use the link below for the entire interview.

You're the person "behind" the mask, the man who brought Lady Abigail to life, How long have you been crafting/developing her?

  I've been developing her for over 22 years. I still am though. I started her back as an old AD&D (2nd Ed.) Forgotten Realms character. There are things that I'm looking back on that I am tweaking since back then I was a child and now I'm older and have more sense of story style since I have created more of a backbone on the Talonfist Family as well. 

It takes a secure man to play a female character, how did that come about?

  Well, this is true since not too many males feel comfortable playing female characters due to masculinity issues lol. But to me, playing a female role is just like playing a role of a furry or an alien species. Like an actor, it's what RPing is all about really. I also have lots of female friends too so, I know a lot about both sides of them (Prissy to Tomboyish). I also find females a bad ass gender to be in the battlefield, not to mention they look gorgeous. 

What do you like best about Lady Abigail?

 
  What do I like best in Abikins...wow, this is a hard one. Her sense of justice. The fact that she's developed a heart that doesn't take sides. If you're wrong no matter what side you are, evil or good, you'll have to answer to her. If she can't persuade you to see things in different perspective of things verbally, she'll definitely do it physically. Plus, behind that pale, intimidating musculature of a woman, is a sweetheart and somewhat of a goofball when she wants to be. 

You're a veteran MMOer, how far has the genre come since you first delved into it?

  It's definitely come a long way. Now I started back when Neverwinter Nights was on Gamespy in order to have somewhat of an online experience. Then came other games like FFXI, EQ (playstation version), Guildwars, and finally the very first game that actually changed the landscape of MMO's (no not WoW), City Of Heroes. CoX set the tone of the Superhero MMO's and made me finally look back into Abi's story. I was already tired of the fantasy game genre and wanted something new. I am a huge comic book fan.

 At the time I loved Marvel comics, but it wasn't until recent that my love for DC sky rocketed (Thanks to Identity Crisis). But yes, MMO's from then til now are totally changing and DCUO's setting another bar that CoH/V and CO haven't put out. Lots of footage and lots of articles prove that this game is going to be like no other. I can't wait til live hits. 

Is DCUO the realization of a long-time dream for many hardcore fans of Comics and RPGs?

  It's always been a dream, to fight along side characters that you have grown to know and love. I mean, when I was a kid, I was that kid with the towel draped over my shoulder and running around the apartment going "woosh" because I was trying to emulate Superman. Even though I was a Marvel fan at the time, I still knew who the Trinity were in DC. I am without a shadow of a doubt sure, that anyone that loves comics especially DC, and anyone that's been in the superhero MMO genre, will totally fall head over heels for this game like I have and it's not even out yet. There's already a huge hype about it, and why the heck not? I mean look at how it's looking so far. You can't tell me you aren't excited about it too lol. 

Tell us about the Nocturnal Misfits.

  Aah, one of my skeletons in my closet hmm? lol. Let's see, The Nocturnal Misfits. It's been over 4 years already that I've had that SG within my "red button" call. I would say the NM gang are a band of heroes and reformed villains that share a common cause. Save the earth from those that wrong it. Again..it goes back to whoever seems to be one that's either corrupt of having too much power, or a hero becoming a tyrant to everyone who he / she "protects".  We also take the guise of Bounty Hunters.

  NM's always worked freelance at looking at bounty lists. If you're in it..you're going to get hunted. However, just because you're on the list doesn't mean we don't investigate ourselves why you were put on it on the first place. We tend to do a lot. Where the law can't go, the Nocturnal Misfits will. We tend to also keep the group small. We don't recruit unless we want to. We'd have to trust you more and get to know you before opening our invitation to you. 

You've been a pretty big proponent for one server for PS3/PC players, why?

 Well, I look at it this way. A lot of people like myself feel that since this is a cross platform game, I feel that as a community we shouldn't be segregated. I have lots of friends that will be playing this in PS3 while I'll be on the PC. So I won't be able to see them at all unless I get a PS3 and well..I..don't wanna shell out another couple hundreds of dollars since I already have a console. I also believe that a lot (not all) of PS3 gamer's really don't know a lot about this style of gaming. I know it's part action game, but there's the MMO side of it and that's where alot of the PC gamers can come out and take PS3 players under their wing, same could be said vice versa.

  There are a lot of worries about how the community would be like if they did join up. A lot of negativity about both communities are being thrown out there and you know..that's true..but that can be said about any place you go online or off. You choose to ignore it and move on. Unlike RL, you have tools to help you to do so in any MMO. It's all up to the individual. 

Would you ever play a villain on an alt account?

 Actually, I have villains within the Talonfist Family so, yeah I can play villains. I can play a villain real good too. I mean if you want to hate someone in a matter of 4 secs..then I'm your guy lol. Abi can be considered a villain too at times depending on what she does. This woman is not your goody good, golden aged hero girl.   

How were you introduced to DCUO?

  I started scouting around the interwebs and well, my curiosity hit when Marvel was mentioning they were gonna do an MMO (years ago). Well I saw a few things about that and then I decided to see if DC had an MMO through search. And..voila! I heard about this game almost 2 years ago. Had no idea they were already in development. Ever since then I got hooked. 

How does DCUO avoid the pitfalls of games like City of Heroes/Villains and Champions Online?

  From what I've seen and read as well as skimming through their forums, they actually do listen to their fan base. It seems whatever suggestions people brought to the table..we get exclusives from their "inside the studios" vids about what they've added that pertained to the fans questions and mad it twice as awesome. We also get vid's from new things they put out to us.

  CoH/V's been around for years and they just now started to remodel a lot their gaming style and put things fans have been asking for for years. Now, I understand their dilemma in a few things, but still it shouldn't have taken years to do things that fans have been asking for since the beginning. CO...I'm not even gonna talk about that, all I'm gonna say is...the former person that used to be in CoH/V...and people know who I may referring to..nuff said. 

Let's say DCUO introduced Guild Wars/Matches (where teams of "supers" could organize and battle each other) in the coming months? would it be a Good or Bad thing?

  I think it'll be a good thing especially if you have friends that you want to be a part of the fun you can do so. If they have supergroups on there it'll definitely be good in an Rper's aspect of things as well seeing in comics you see match ups like the JLA vs the Secret Society, you can do something like that with your own groups. It'll also be a good thing in training you all in how your team member's play style is like and would be able to adapt with it.

If you could take down one DCUO NPC Villain, who would it be?

 Heh, well..I have a few but mostly Circe or Black Adam. Mainly because I can totally see my character crossing paths with them. 

Which player-controlled evildoer would you put behind bars?

Player controlled? Depends on who's in my crosshairs. I have no one in particular in mind. It also depends on the severity of the bounty / crime..she may take it a bit further and just not put you behind bars at all...possibly six feet under. 

What are the three things DCUO can implement to keep you as a long-time player?

  More spectacular stories, more expansion content that they've stated they would do, and of course, recognizing a players achievements and placing them in their DCUO Legends comics lol. There are other stuff I have in mind, but these are things that'll keep me in longer. 

In the same vein, what three things can guarantee you won't be around long?

  I don't necessarily have three things to be honest. One thing that'll kill it for me is that game won't be balanced like they have stated it would be, as well as not listening to their fan base's suggestions. I guess that's two things. 

If you could have one dream game feature, what would it be?

  CoH had mission architect where you can create your own stories and such in them. I know the story in DCUO for sure is already set, but I can hope somewhere in the future they can let us players create some stories too. I love creating stories.

What other game elements are a MUST in DCUO?

Well I haven't seen anything else that hasn't been covered already in by them already in the press stuff and vids..so I'm totally not sure what else I could think of really. It already has a solid Character creation from what the vids show, and the gameplay looks awesome too, as well as it has a solid story. Everything that IMHO I can ask for is already there. 

How do you feel about monthly updates in DCUO?

  Monthly updates will be so awesome. It'll keep the game strong and alive for a very long time. I have no doubt with the writing team that this game has as well as the creative minds as well, I believe we won't be very disappointed. 

If there was one change you could make to DCUO in its current form, what would it be?

  Seeing the vids and such and seeing how the game's been polished a lot more after its delay, I really don't have anything for them to change. However I can't really answer this question until I have the game in hand and play it. The answer could change in the future..but it'll be in a way of suggestions.

In your opinion, what is DCUO's greatest strength?

  It's 75 years of background. The fact that they have sooo many angles they can take this game in. There doesn't seem to be a limitation with them since well..it IS called DC Universe. Well known characters that everyone's grown up knowing. So many people idolize these guys. So the game in general has a great advantage due to the history DC. With the current writers and game makers..I'd say it's already strong with everything it has out on the table. 

What weakness hurts DCUO the most?

  Just like any other MMO would hurt in. Community feedback servicing. The people are what makes the game go strong. If they suggest things..please listen to them and take their suggestions under consideration..because without us..there is no DCUO. We couldn't agree more here. While we're certainly a big proponent of submitting suggestions, the main reason we do it is to add the missing and overlooked elements back into DCUO. Powers like Invisibility and Teleportation are must-haves, as is the Vigilante Class and the Pure Brawler combat-type.

What are you on the lookout for in the Beta? How important is BETA Feedback?

  Testing the game in its' entirety and seeing what they've done and are doing. Finding all sorts of bugs and letting them team know about them swiftly.  I think Beta Feedback is important because of the fact that since they haven't pushed the game out yet...it'll give you a chance to help the team to tweak a few things out before the final product.  Plus having lots of people test it too would help people that didn't spot anything before be able to cover that angle that the previous person missed. 

We recently suggested how much a well done Arch-Enemy/Nemesis system ( http://tinyurl.com/36wqj3g ) could add to the game, what say you?

  Every hero / villain has their counterpart that they have an issue with. Not only you have the DC villains, but if you had your own thorn on your side..it'll really spice up the game a ton more. It'll really feel like you would be in your own DC comic. CO did that pretty well too with the nemesis system. But I would love to have my own enemy trying to take me out while I played my missions. Especially if its in DCUO.

With anti-heroes of questionable background and moral character like the Dark Enforcers around, is the Vigilante Class a must-have in DCUO?

  Yes. My Nocturnal Misfit members have some vigilante-esque characters in them. Abi herself is pretty much a "no holds barred" character. She's a hero at heart..but has an outlaw way of doing things. 

Is a Danger Room environment where we can match-up and practice against other heroes (or AI) a necessity?

  Yes..both PVE and PVP (especially PVP). Mainly because it'll get you to know your powers a lot better as well as develop a sense of gameplay style and learning a lot about the game mechanics. Having a player opponent there with you can let you know how to be alot skillful against them in battle. It'll also be a very fun environment. 

Throughout your MMO career, who's your biggest superhero MMO rival? Why?

  I don't have anymore rivals to be honest. It was ages ago that I had one and now we're best friends both IC and OOC. That person was Lady Immolatasia. 

PVP or PVE server, and why?

  I like tussling in PVP don't get me wrong. It would be a fun deal. But I'm mostly a PVE person. Why? Well..I'm an Rper at heart. I want to actually rp stories with a character that I've cherished for many years to be included with characters that I've idolized for years too. That in itself is why I would be on the PVE side of things..BUT that doesn't mean I won't flag myself for pvp..(I'll probably be pvp flagged almost all the time.) 

Who would you look forward to matching up with in a well-done Guild Wars system?

  I haven't the foggiest of clues lol. 

What new things would you like to see in Character Customization?

  Well, I really haven't seen in the vids any ear options...I would hope there would be elf ears! I love me some elf ears!!  I also didn't see any options of body sliders to make different sizes of people..they only have the Large, medium and small templates. I can hope when I play that medium size doesn't make abi look anorexic lol. Abi's a body builder-esque woman. 

What Villain group is the biggest threat to the Nocturnal Misfits?

  Well..I can say "The Nocturnal Marauders", which was a creation of Abi when she was possessed by a goddess' spirit that was vengeful.  Ever since she left them there was another member that stepped up as leader and they've been opposing forces for years. Also the government was another thorn on the Nocturnal Misfits' side.

Is it difficult to "begin anew" with a character that has gained so much status, power and influence in other MMOs?

As an old experience paper and pencil gamer? No. In fact, starting anew is a way of taking your creativity of story telling to new heights. It makes the character a lot more noticeable wherever you create them in. If you've put so much thought into the character at all and you know how to bridge a gap and continue with your saga...it'll be a cakewalk.

  Here's a small example...each time my Abi travels to another dimension, her powers drain and she'd have to work on gaining them again to be back to her former powerful status. Maybe get even stronger once she's back up to where she was before.

  Then again I've had so much experience in jumping from one place to another. I clearly went from Paper and Pencil, to AOL / Yahoo RP chatrooms and forums, to finally MMO's.  So moving her around like a vagabond that she is has made me an expert in bridging gaps if anything lol.