DC Universe Online News

In the real world, the next few weeks are likely going to be difficult, perhaps scary, definitely isolating. Here at Dimensional Ink, we can't fundamentally change that - even with all the capes and cowls in the world - but we can do our small part.

We know DCUO can be a way to escape or distract from hard times, and we know playing can be a great way to stay connected with friends from the comfort and safety of our own homes.

For the team, there is an elevated sense of meaning and passion about what we do right now. If we can make anyone's next few weeks easier, that's important to us on an entirely different level.

That's why we remain (safely) hard at work on our upcoming episode (Birds of Prey), so you can enjoy it as soon as possible, and that's why we're rolling out bonus WEEKS for the foreseeable future.

Take a break, log in, have fun - and stay safe.


[h2]OPEN EPISODES[/h2]

First up, we invite everyone to come play all of our storylines and content with Open Episodes. All players will have free access through Episode 35: Metal Part I (with increased loot lockout times) from March 19, 2020, through at least April 15, 2020.

Wherever you might be in the game, with whatever content you own, you can log in and be a Super Hero without worrying about real-world costs.

Remember, also, that our latest episode's event versions are always accessible to everyone for free, so yes, the entire game is here waiting for you.


[h2]BONUS WEEKS[/h2]

No more bonus weekends! Starting tomorrow, we're pulling out all the stops, adding to our previous plans, and converting every bonus weekend into bonus WEEKS.

For now, know that we're kicking things off with a bonus currency weekend!



Open Episodes begin March 19, 2020, and end May 11, 2020. Excludes Episode 36: Metal Part II and Episode 37: Birds of Prey.

[h2]St. Patrick's Day Seasonal Event[/h2]



Mister Mxyzptlk is back this year to taunt Metropolis with his riches! Look for “Mxyleprechauns!” in your Mission Journal, and speak to Mister Mxyzptlk in your HQ.

New Feats!

• That Feeling Something's Off
  
• Dressed to Perplex
  
• Jynxed! You owe me an… umbrella?
  

For 2020, Mister Mxyzptlk has new base and style items! Start now before your luck runs out! Level Requirement: 10


The event begins March 12, 2020, and ends March 26, 2020. 

[h2]Oracle's Time Capsule[/h2]

Oracle will soon be calling up the Birds of Prey and YOU in Episode 37: Birds of Prey. Get ready for the big day with Oracle's very own Time Capsule! This capsule, like all Time Capsules, can be unlocked with Stabilizers or purchased directly in the Marketplace. Stabilizers can be earned in-game or purchased in the Marketplace. 

If you’re looking to learn more about how to get, open, and use a Time Capsule - or what is in previous Time Capsules - check out our helpful guide!

Please Note: Oracle's Time Capsule and its contents cannot be traded cross-platform. 


[h3]Oracle's Gear Styles[/h3]

Oracle herself, Barbara Gordon, created a humanoid robot - you know, just in case. And it is this robot that the new Combat Protocol gear style is inspired-by. Take the most advanced technology on the planet out for a spin with your very own suit. The Enhanced version of this style is battle reactive, meaning it bursts with energy while you are in combat.

Remember, you will receive a random gear piece as a choice in your loot selection window for each Oracle's Time Capsule you open. When consumed, the gear will become level-appropriate to your character. The Enhanced version of the gear will also appear in the loot selection window, and when consumed will also become level-appropriate to your character.   



[h2]Oracle's Collection Rewards[/h2]

Complete three collections for Birds Of Prey-inspired rewards. Put on Dove's mask, Hawk's legendary cape, or channel your own inner hacker with the Network Infiltrator accessory. 

These styles are earned through collections, which will appear as a choice in the loot selection window for each Oracle's Time Capsule. 


 

[h3]Oracle's Birds of Prey Emblems[/h3]

The Birds of Prey are a team, but each of Oracle's closest friends keep to their own style most of the time. This Time Capsule features eight new emblems inspired by characters that have answered the call as the Birds of Prey, along with eight more Enhanced versions. These will randomly appear as a choice in the loot selection window for each Oracle's Time Capsule you open.  

• Emblems 
  
  • Oracle
    
  • Huntress
    
  • Black Canary
    
  • Misfit
    
  • Manhunter
    
  • Big Barda
    
  • Birds of Prey
    
  
  
  

[h3]Extras[/h3]

Each capsule opened has a chance to reward the special Harlequin Chroma Pack. Opening the pack will provide a set of chromas inspired by Harley Quinn! Plus, take home the Orbital BOP Uplink Device and rain down Harley's vengeance on your enemies. The device becomes available after opening 15 Oracle's Time Capsules.




[h2]AVAILABLE February 20, 2020[/h2]

Oracle's Time Capsule will launch on February 20, 2020. Log in and unlock yours!


Thoughts? Questions? Join the discussion on the official forums.

THIS SPRING, ORACLE AND FRIENDS FACE OFF AGAINST LEX LUTHOR IN BIRDS OF PREY

Just announced, DC Universe Online's next content release assembles a new team: the Birds of Prey! The new episode BIRDS OF PREY will launch this April.




NEW EPISODE: BIRDS OF PREY

In BIRDS OF PREY, Oracle faces new challenges: Lex Luthor is back and more dangerous than ever, citizens need immediate help as Luthor's plot turns Metropolis into a near lawless war-zone, and her scrappy bunch of most-trusted associates might be too busy roasting and fighting and mistrusting each other to get the job done. 

With time running out and a deeper threat to investigate, will Oracle be able to mold her...vibrant...friends into the new kickass team she needs? Or will the Super-Villains have their day?

SJ'S TAKE: "I've spent the last ten years of my life preparing for this episode, so this time my snappy quote has been replaced by a heart-felt one. In my early adulthood, I managed a comics and game store, and the Birds of Prey comics series highlighted so many amazing female characters written in a way that was extremely relatable. It inspired me to become not just a fan, but a creator. I know you're going to enjoy our Birds of Prey, and I hope it makes you love these characters as much as I do." - SJ Mueller, DC Universe Online Creative Director

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT BIRDS OF PREY:

• Birds of Prey will be a large-scale episode, with level-agnostic event versions of content available to all players for a limited time.  
  
• The episode will feature new and returning Super Heroes and Super-Villains, including Oracle, Black Canary, Huntress, Harley Quinn, Lex Luthor, and more.   
  
• The storyline will include singleplayer and multiplayer adventures set in familiar and remote locales, including Oracle's iconic Clock Tower base.   
  
• The episode will launch new player rewards, including new gear, styles, artifacts, base items, and feats.
  

EPISODE 37: BIRDS OF PREY will launch this April on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.


Questions or comments? Join the discussion on the official forums!

Welcome to Dimensional Ink! Don’t mind the wet paint – we’re still a little under construction (I kid, of course). Let me tell you how all this came to be….



A few years ago, I left Cryptic Studios (which I co-founded in 2000) to join Daybreak here in Austin (which also formed back in 2000). My mandate was pretty simple: run DC Universe Online and eventually get a new game under development. The Austin studio had been part of SOE with a long legacy; it had launched Star Wars Galaxies before it turned to work on DC Universe Online.

But it started to become pretty darn obvious that the Austin studio had its own vibe and culture. DCUO was dramatically different than the other games in Daybreak’s portfolio. Our workflow was completely unique. We still used Daybreak for a lot of supporting resources (like Legal, Finance, and CS), but these were basically the same publisher roles that Perfect World and NCSoft had served for Cryptic back in the day.





Ultimately, as a team we felt that the future of Daybreak Austin lay within the developers: so we decided to carve ourselves out officially as our own studio. We still publish with Daybreak, but the future is ours to forge. Admittedly, the name was really hard to carve out. We went through weeks of voting on options, finding out they were already taken, going back to come up with new names. Finally, the studio leadership locked itself in a conference room and I refused to let people leave until a name we could use came up. And out of this arose Dimensional Ink.

The Ink part is pretty darn obvious. My career started with comic books. City of Heroes was my first game and DC Universe Online is a clear successor. But if you dig a little deeper,Star Wars Galaxies itself has its origins in four color comics too. George Lucas’ inspiration for Star Wars came from Flash Gordon, which originated in the Sunday color comics section. So comic ink has literally moved this studio forward for nearly twenty years!

Dimensional is probably not so obvious. We tried a lot of more common adjectives (like Comic, Digital, etc.) but they were all taken. In our discussions, we realized that the games we’ve made, operate, and will make all have one thing in common: they take people to iconic worlds. We take players on adventures beyond imagination. In other words, we travel to different dimensions!





And voila Dimensional Ink was born! What does this mean to all our great fans? You’ll know that it’s the devs who are guiding every game decision. There’s no corporate overlord to blame; every forum, facebook, and twitter post are being read and absorbed by yours truly and the team here. We are utterly focused on making great games that last for years and years. Nothing is changing at all with DC Universe Online. In fact, we’re cooking up lots of neat stuff for the coming year (including some oft requested characters…).

What about our new game? Well, I can’t say much right now, other than it’s a next gen MMORPG. It’s an action MMORPG, so no old fashioned click “A” and pray. And we’re hiring like crazy! We totally need YOU to make this game! Check out our openings and apply now!

You can probably find me in DCUO playing away – and I promise I’ll be posting more. So expect to hear from me again soon! 


Jack Emmert
Dimensional Ink CEO