I'm sort of tired of people saying "there's no crafting". There are several different kinds of collecting' and you combine the things you collect into objects-how is that not crafting?

Because the nodes don't respawn you actually have to go out and look for things which is more fun then alot of crafting in games.

So basically if you are a Open World PvP fan (which of course everyone is, why the hell would you ever play on a PvE server is the message the MMORPG staff seems to be sending to me) and can just ignore a terrible UI and chat system (even though these are "baseline" features which are just expected to be good at this point.  A massive step backwards is unacceptable) then DCUO is for you!

Well cool then.  I'll sit this one out, and see what a few months of development bring.  I am so tired of settling and making due with MMO's, and hoping that things will "get better".  The Guild/Legion system is also a huge turn off for me, especially after Chris Cao talked about how he worked on the EQ2 guild system and you could bet that he was going to be bringing elements of that over here.  What elements?  The Chat system?  Couldn't even swing the guild list element?

The combat is fun, I will give it that.  I'm not a PvP player so I can't be dazzled by the fun of Open World PvP and distracted from other issues.  The combat is fun, and it probably feels more like a Super hero game than CoX of Champions.  Hopefully in 6 months time things will get better and the game will be worth a second look.

Chat sucks, UI is more than a little wonky, but the game is fun.  Fun on a level I haven't seen in a long while regaurding MMO's.  Obviously I do find MMO's fun in general but not like DCUO, there is something special there and as long as SOE backs this new flagship of theirs I think it will have a long and wonderful future.

Originally posted by severius

Imagine that, everyone you highlight here loves the game.  Shocking /sarcasm.

 

Oh noes, people actually like the game!!

Its a great game, just becasue you dont like it dosent mean others can. Sure it has some flaws, and those were all mentioned in this article.

This is one of the better MMO's i have played recently. Been a long time since i was so drawn into a MMO, been playing every hour im awake since launch, got about 10 days /played allready.

Now if only they fix the UI and chat, keep adding content i will be playing this game for years to come :)

Thanks for the "honest" review (or "thoughts" or whatever this was). Any idea why it's not selling better given mmorpg's staffs enjoyment of it?

Smedley has said that the prime focus for DCUO is to convince PS3 players that they should get used to the subscription paid model of MMOs from the PC world. Go look thru interviews with him to see him state exactly that.

I would imagine that most improvements are going to be forthcoming for the PS3 version with the PC version getting just enough to get by. In other words, don't look for the PC controls or chat system to get major fixes anytime soon. The focus for SOE right now is to retain and grow this for PS3 players.

Everything said here is more or less true, the game can be fun and the PC controls and interface are nothing short of irritating. Some powersets are broken and others probably over powered compared to others (although they are super powers...they need to power up the low ones, not nerf the powerful ones) and the travel powers are wonky. It's all designed for flyers and speedsters or acrobats are just trying to get where they are going. Lack of documentation for travel powers (and really everything in the game) stands out.

The article also didn't address the huge problems SOE and it's partners had on getting any of the pre-order bonuses right (unless you ordered from Gamestop or Amazon, you probably didn't get everything you were supposed to or get it on time for sure.) This is par for the course with SOE who has phone company level of customer service (that is to say nearly non-existant and at times antagonistic.)

SOE admits this is meant to be a 'snack' game, i.e. not life consuming as some MMOs are designed to be, so we will see how much content and when we get it. I'd be ready to buy a Green Lantern themed expansion to coincide with the release of the GL movie (he's conspicuously absent for the most part in the base version so far) with new mentors and powers etc....

Not selling better? I might be mistaken but I'm almost certain I've seen articles on various sites claiming fairly impressive sales numbers for both PS3 and PC versions?

At least on the PS3 side they've had to add additional servers in both Europe and the US.

How well it's going to perform after the first month is going to be interesting though, particularly with the PS3 version as there appears to be an alarmingly large number of console players (with no previous MMO experience) who seemingly can't wrap their heads around the concept of a monthly subscription fee.

I have been enjoying the game myself, but I do agree with the impressions posted.

Everyone keeps hammering home the point too as far as the company holding onto their promise of monthly content releases, and hopefully it is some decent content, not just 1 more type of pvp map to play on.

And of course, the horrible chat system needs to be redone.

Of course other things here and there need to be tweaked and modified, but I am enjoying the game on a casual level.

Only a newbie will find the targetting system problematic.... and I mean it... ONLY NOOBS will complain about the targetting system....

Originally posted by Miths

Not selling better? I might be mistaken but I'm almost certain I've seen articles on various sites claiming fairly impressive sales numbers for both PS3 and PC versions?

At least on the PS3 side they've had to add additional servers in both Europe and the US.

How well it's going to perform after the first month is going to be interesting though, particularly with the PS3 version as there appears to be an alarmingly large number of console players (with no previous MMO experience) who seemingly can't wrap their heads around the concept of a monthly subscription fee.

 

My facts come from here ,  here and here.

It's an honest question, - If there is so much to enjoy (despite the many complaints), why isn't it selling better?

I have my own theories, but I would prefer the experts (staff here) take on it. Everyone seems to "enjoy" it - so whats the deal?

Originally posted by Pelu

Only a newbie will find the targetting system problematic.... and I mean it... ONLY NOOBS will complain about the targetting system....

 

Well, I am far from being a noob and the targetting system for PC controls (mouse and keyboard) sucks. Yes, I've adjusted to it and understand how to use it...it just doesn't work well. It's far too easy to end up not targetting what you are trying to and ending up smacking a car or something while MOBs beat on you.

Strange reviews. I dont know if i've ever heard a review where they talk about so much bad stuff in the game and then say "i love it".  Cant wait til a year goes by so i can hear what people really think of it.

If they make the UI more PC freindlly on the PC game side, and change out rhe Chat system to make it more RP frendlly, Open up the chat for local atleast to be crosschat ( again rp freindlly), I see this game as being a number one money maker, and ofcorse keeping the promis of monthy updates and content that is more than a t-shirt that says" i'm with stupid" and the arrow pointing up, then this is gonan be a best seller and probally redeem the SOE name brand in the eyes of so manyt hat were let down over the years

SWG, and many other games that seemd to be marked for death  from this company name

The chat UI sucks but i don't really have much problem with targeting. I've learnt to lock on to targets when there are loads of things around and especially in pvp.

Open world pvp is a blast even when i do get ganked. So many gankers just don't understand the mechanics properly and i have been able to defend myself at low levels against lvl20+. I've even given 3 lvl18's a fright at lvl6. For some reason being ganked isn't as frustrating in DCUO as i find it in other games. Must be because i feel i have a chance to win (and sometimes do) against the gankers.

DCUO has a long way to go before it will justify a $15/month sub from me.  I foresee a F2P model being introduced before the year is out.

5 years, $50 million dollars, and all the Dev "talent" SOE has thrown at it later, and DCUO is a game lacking in content (only 30 levels that people blow through in days), lacking in "standard" MMO systems (such as an auction house or player housing) that has a UI that even MMORPG writers acknowledge as bad (hint: it's the SAME UI the NGE had in it's original form) and chat that is broken beyond use.

How can that be anything but a failure?  Name me any MMO that has been released in recent years that had THAT much time and THAT much money that released without even the basics working right?  Even "Dark and Light", one of the more infamous launch failures had the basics working.

Given that more time, money, and senior management attention was showered on DCUO by SOE, I can come to only one, logical conclusion:  This game represents the absolute BEST that this company is capable of producing.  That is quite some statement.

I understand how Mr. Wood and his staff might take offense to having their integrity questioned, however, you guys have not explained exactly WHY you find this game so compelling even though each one of you admits to there being major, no, GLARING flaws in it (such as the UI, auction house, and chat problems) that should be considered UNACCEPTABLE to anyone paying real money for this game.  Especially given that SOE has been producing MMOs for over 10 years now and should be EXPECTED to have such basic things working at launch. 

There isn't any excuse.  Shouldn't you be advising your readers to hold off risking an investment in this thing until SOE proves their promises to fix this and add content  to be something other than vapor, especially given their extensive history of lying to their customers and breaking promises?

In my mind, the only way we are going to GET quality MMORPGs again is if the publishers are taught a lesson, that being that launches of games in this sort of condition will not be rewarded with success (and hence dollars) but will be punished with FAILURE (lack of dollars).

And if this is the best that SOE is capable of producing, isn't it time for the company to consider wholesale management changes, starting at the top?  Square Enix had the courage to do this when the new Final Fantasy MMO launched in arguably better condition than DCUO.  At least chat works in it.

Originally posted by unclemo

DCUO has a long way to go before it will justify a $15/month sub from me.  I foresee a F2P model being introduced before the year is out.

Well, you get a 30 day free pass with the game, I am PS3 player, so I think great deal from SoE for new players. After the 30 days...up to you, if there is enough you may well stay and pay a sub, but , and heck, play the game itself before writing nonsense.

Hmmm. I'm usually liking Bill Murphy's stuff but the way this article comes across... well, it just feels like he's dragging along some co-workers to give their pros and cons (but mostly pros) on a game that he get crap about when he gushed on and on.

Oh well, to each their own.  Jon's 2nd and 3rd paragraph as well as the lack of content and the quick-to-cap nicely sum up why I won't give SOE a dime for this.  Maybe in 6-12 months, the game will be polished enough for a re-launch.

edit: Bill - it's ok for folks to disagree with a game-like. Sometimes it gets a bit vocal. That's ok.  I'd just recommend letting it go and moving on with your life.  To continue to beat the horse just ties more of your name to a defensive position.  I like your stuff but I'm to the point where I'll just skip anything you write about DCUO and hope you get to your better received work.

Let's stay on topic and keep it civil guys. :)

Originally posted by jonnyfrag

Smedley has said that the prime focus for DCUO is to convince PS3 players that they should get used to the subscription paid model of MMOs from the PC world. Go look thru interviews with him to see him state exactly that.

I would imagine that most improvements are going to be forthcoming for the PS3 version with the PC version getting just enough to get by. In other words, don't look for the PC controls or chat system to get major fixes anytime soon. The focus for SOE right now is to retain and grow this for PS3 players.

Everything said here is more or less true, the game can be fun and the PC controls and interface are nothing short of irritating. Some powersets are broken and others probably over powered compared to others (although they are super powers...they need to power up the low ones, not nerf the powerful ones) and the travel powers are wonky. It's all designed for flyers and speedsters or acrobats are just trying to get where they are going. Lack of documentation for travel powers (and really everything in the game) stands out.

The article also didn't address the huge problems SOE and it's partners had on getting any of the pre-order bonuses right (unless you ordered from Gamestop or Amazon, you probably didn't get everything you were supposed to or get it on time for sure.) This is par for the course with SOE who has phone company level of customer service (that is to say nearly non-existant and at times antagonistic.)

SOE admits this is meant to be a 'snack' game, i.e. not life consuming as some MMOs are designed to be, so we will see how much content and when we get it. I'd be ready to buy a Green Lantern themed expansion to coincide with the release of the GL movie (he's conspicuously absent for the most part in the base version so far) with new mentors and powers etc....

 That's funny, I thought John was trying to tell us PC gamers that the subscription model is dead, so we should get used to all his new cash shops.

Also, if the game is meant to be a snack, why the current box price, plus subscription?  Sort of like paying for a bucket of chicken and getting four nuggets imo.

I'm a comic book fan.  Still collect a few titles.  Before playing this though, I'd expect more initial content for the money, a working auction house, more user-friendly chat, and better combat animations tbh.  What I've seen looks very choppy--kind of like one of those fight games from the 80's or 90's.  I also wouldn't hold my breath for content updates that justify the current subscription fee.