Sony’s popular superhero MMORPG title DC Universe Online is getting a major makeover. The game is currently undergoing changes in its gameplay mechanics and graphics in preparation for its introduction on the next generation PlayStation 4 during the console's launch window.
As revealed by executive producer Larry Liberty via the game’s official page, the upcoming Game Update 31 revolves around the new changes for the next generation console, and will offer “a sweeping, game-wide graphical update" while also "remastering" the game's central core levelling mechanic.
Liberty states that the new changes are “without doubt the biggest technical update we have ever done.”
“While we can’t very easily demonstrate the sheer amount of work it’s taken to get ready for the PlayStation 4 launch in a technical sense – or the sheer amount of blood, sweat, and tears the engineers have poured into the project over the last months – it turns out artists’ tears are a lot easier to share,” Liberty further added.
The team has made a combination of art upgrades to the game. These art upgrades, when taken together, are said to offer a significantly improved visual experience.
“Most notably, the level of detail on textures will be increased throughout the game on PC and PlayStation 4, and that’s perhaps nowhere more obvious than when observing the Earth from the Watchtower. We have also taken the opportunity to rebuild areas like Centennial Park in Metropolis and Robinson Park in Gotham City so that the visuals there better match the story being told.”
“And, we have corrected and improved hundreds of details in the environmental geometry throughout the game to bring a better, seamless experience to all players, and these changes will be in effect on all platforms, including the PlayStation 3,” the page adds.
Given that the core game alterations have been particularly focused on the early part of DC Universe Online, ranging from character-levels 1 to 30, it’s not really a big surprise since Sony expects most of its players on PS4 to already attain that level by now.
Moreover, with the new update, players can expect better flow of character leveling, and access to more useful toys faster. Alongside that, side quests will also become replayable.
Game Update 31 is currently scheduled to arrive on the PC Test server this week, and is planned to launch on PC and PlayStation 3 wholly in early November.