Creative Director Letter: Origin Crisis!

Posted by Jens Andersen

Hello DCUO community!

We are so excited to start talking about Origin Crisis - our latest and seventh DLC for DC Universe Online. The story in Origin Crisis is the culmination of plots we have been developing for years. As more details come to light in the coming weeks, I hope and think you will be amazed at the fact we have been telling this story from two directions through time, and at how deeply tied it has been to some of our previous DLCs.

For me personally, Origin Crisis represents a significant milestone in the growth and evolution of DC Universe Online. To give you a little perspective on that: When I first came on board and began talking to Jim Lee about what I felt we needed to accomplish with this story and this world, one of the first things we talked about was an origin event for our players. I wanted to make sure you were all very integrated into the world. This wasn't so much to define your origin as much as an attempt to justify your presence to other people in the game - to give everyone a common touchstone to explain all these new characters standing next to Superman in the Watchtower. Once we finished with our first story pitch, I put a name to it - Origin Crisis.

While the main title for DCUO obviously changed and didn't include the Origin Crisis tagline, the core elements of the story stayed true. We all saw the stunning results when we unveiled the game's opening cut scene and set the stage for all of you to create your own hero or villain. Now, years later, we're finally bringing those events fully to light in this new chapter of the story that gave each of you a place in this rich universe. I couldn't think of a more appropriate title.

Without further ado, let's talk about Origin Crisis!

Quantum Powers

Yup, that's right…we're adding a NEW POWER to the game! This is our 10th power set. It will feature the usual Damage role as well as a Controller role. The trees are themed around Time and Space. You will be able to do some amazing things with power manipulation and crowd control effects. By altering time, manipulating gravity, and folding space you will be able to slow down opponents, change their density, or even teleport behind them for a surprise attack. The special effects are amazing and we thank everyone at CERN for splitting atoms and giving us the visual inspiration we needed for this exciting new power set. We know you're going to love this new way to play a controller in DCUO.

Origin Operations and Raids

Our focus in Origin Crisis and what makes me so excited to finally share it with you is the return of deep, comic book storylines and challenging group content. In Origin Crisis, this means two new Origin Operations per faction, in alternate versions of Gotham City and Metropolis, and two powerful Raids across time itself. Timelines are distorted, the past is in ruins, and the future is in jeopardy.

How would Gotham City and Metropolis change if Batman's and Superman's origin stories were fundamentally…different? You'll get to find out. You'll get to stand in Crime Alley on that fateful night when the Waynes were gunned down in front of a young Bruce. You'll get to storm the House of El to reach the rocket destined to carry Kal'El to Earth. And then you'll get to decide - what actions will you take to tip these events toward the side of good or evil?

Then you'll follow Future Batman or Future Lex Luthor in a war across time and against each other to alter the origins of countless iconic heroes and villains. But there is a cost to corrupting time, and a greater threat lurks within - the Paradox created as a result of your actions. Only you have the power to stop it before it destroys reality itself. Will you survive the Paradox Wave?

Iconic Anomalies

Future Batman and Luthor are desperately trying to undo damage that has been done to reality itself, and are always running tests on key origin moments to see how changing them could affect the timeline. Two such tests are being introduced in the form of Iconic Anomaly solo missions. You will get to step into a simulation to test changes to origin stories, playing as one of two iconic characters: Huntress and Bizarro.

Tier 5 Gear

Of course, there are also rewards. We are introducing a new set of Tier gear to collect. This will have a nice hefty stat increase to boost your character's power, and some terrific looks inspired by long requested iconic characters. We can't wait to unveil these new looks that have traveled back in time and risen from the depths of the ocean, right into your eager hands.

There you have it, Origin Crisis revealed. Stay tuned, though, because Mepps and I are looking forward to organizing a bunch of livestreams over the coming weeks to fill you in on the details of what's mentioned above. We'll be joined by other developers who can demonstrate all the exciting elements they worked so hard to create. We can't wait to share more. Until then, take care and we'll see you in game!

Jens Andersen
Creative Director
DC Universe Online
Sony Online Entertainment