DC Universe Online Launching Worldwide For PC, PS3 On January 11

Developer and publisher Sony Online Entertainment has announced that DC Universe Online, its MMORPG based on DC Comics characters and settings, will release worldwide for both Windows PCs and PlayStation 3 on January 11, 2011. SOE's Austin branch, which has worked the project since at least mid-2008, was originally slated to ship DC Universe Online in November but announced it would be delaying the online game two months ago in order to "address community feedback in a meaningful way" through an extended beta period. In North America, DC Universe Online will feature a retail price of $59.99 for PS3 and $49.99 for PC -- both versions will also have $99.99 Collector's Edition boxes with extras. Each copy will include a 30-day game membership, and gamers will need to pay for a $14.99 monthly subscription to play when that runs out. Developed with the help of comic book creators and artists like Jim Lee, who is serving as executive creative director for DC Universe Online, the MMORPG allows players to create their own superheroes or villains, and interact with iconic characters like Superman, Batman, and the Joker. SOE says this will be the first MMO on the PS3 and the first online game based in the DC universe. It intends to release regular updates, or "episodes", that introduce more famous DC Comics characters, new instances, and major in-game events. "Creating DC Universe Online has been a massive undertaking, and we're excited to be that much closer to launch," says game director Christopher Cao. "We're grateful to our beta players for providing us invaluable feedback in these final stages that has enabled us to put the finishing touches on a fun and exciting experience when the game launches in January."