14 DAY TRIAL // Sony has great plans regarding DC Universe Online, its MMO incorporating elements from the mythology of comic books. The game, which is developed by Sony Online Entertainment, will be one of the first MMOs to run on the PlayStation 3 and the experience should be special.
In order to create a backstory more interesting than that of the run of the mill MMO, Sony has brought in writer Geoff Johns, who is one of the most respected authors in the comics world. After a brief stint at Marvel, Johns became one of the main creators at DC, putting together the stories for such acclaimed properties as the year long weekly series 52 and the cross over event Infinite Crisis. His talent will likely be needed in DC Universe Online because the game is in dire need of a solid foundation story on which gameplay can be built.
As Sony puts it, Geoff Johns’ main job will be to create a credible way of explaining “why the DC Universe has suddenly been populated with millions of new heroes and villains in a way that will engage players”. In the MMO, players will be able to create a fully customized character with superpowers which will then fight alongside Superman, Batman and a host of other DC heroes against the threats that come from natural disasters and villains alike.
The game was demoed at the various videogame shows that took place during summer and so far DC Universe Online looks interesting, although rough around the edges. The challenges of creating a MMO that can be played on the PlayStation 3 as well as on a PC mean that we will not see it launched until the summer of 2009. Hopefully this gives Geoff Johns enough time to create a truly compelling story.