How Bad Is It?

I don't know. When a comic book company can't publish a decent comic book (DC Universe Online: Legends) tying into their own licensed video game (DC Universe Online), I'd say it is fucking terrible.

I put it down after that bit. I might pick it back up for the pure schadenfreude aspects, but I'm in no rush.

For All Its Hype...

Champions Online, the City-of-Heroes-warmed-over MMORPG that skews more towards action, couldn't even come close to selling out Amazon's allotment of half-priced copies of the game.

Selling for under $20, only 7% of copies were claimed by Amazon buyers. As video games go, $20 is as much an impulse buy price as a pack of gum in the supermarket checkout line. But on the biggest online retailer's site, they couldn't even move 10% of the stock set aside for the deal.

Is the game that bad? Has the market for MMOs not named World of Warcraft just dried up that much? Is this an indication that many dismissed it for its similarities to City of Heroes (including being made by the same studio)? Or is this a preview of how any super-hero MMO (cough DCU Online cough) will perform in the marketplace?

On a side note: they made Marvel change the name of a comic book for THIS?!?

The DCU Online Game Has Irwin Schwabb?

Why didn't anyone tell me that Ambush Bug is actually in this game? That's a much more thorough approach than I was expecting!

SDCC: DC Comics Video Game News

And Then They Make Sure Shazam Is The Only Reason...

The MK Vs. DC panel was covered by Newsarama right here. No complaint with the coverage whatsoever.

The complaint I do have? Joker is going to be in the game. A fighting game. Because, you know, Joker is known for entertaining one-on-one fights.

Seriously. You have Superman, Batman, Green Lantern (just announced), Shazam and others. You really feel like you needed to include Joker? I'm just dying to use the acid flower, mallet, joy buzzer and gun. Yup. No better pick than Joker. No sirree, Bob.

Ugh.

I Feel The Need...The Need For Speed

In better news, JK Parkin gets a hands-on demonstration of DC Universe Online MMORPG. He manages to get across an enthusiasm about the mechanics of the game in such a way that nullifies some of my concerns about it being more Marvel Ultimate Alliance MMO than World of Warcraft.

It Might Just Bring Me Back To MMORPGs

As long as they make it run like an actual RPG and not a game that rewards the person with the best hand-eye coordination and ability to pull off combo moves, I'll be one drooling geek when this comes out.

Bonus? If the AOL Buddy Icons are any indication, Martian Manhunter will still be in THAT universe.

Still trepitatious about Sony's involvement, given how much I wound up unhappy with Star Wars Galaxies and all.