DC Universe Online Delayed Until Early 2011

It appears that we're going to have to wait a bit longer to kick it with Batman.

Sony Online Entertainment announced today that its upcoming DC-Universe-based MMO DC Universe Online, originally scheduled for release on November 2, 2010, has been pushed back until a vague "early 2011", dashing the hopes of many to suit up with their favorite DC superheroes and beat the crap out of each other next month.

"SOE is dedicated to delivering the highest quality game experiences possible," says John Smedley, President of Sony Online Entertainment. "DC Universe Online is the first game of its kind, and a truly massive undertaking -- the first action MMO set in the DC Universe, the first MMO on the PlayStation 3, and the first time the entire DC Universe will be accessible to the millions of fans who are eagerly anticipating its release. As the game heads into external beta testing, this extra time will allow us to address community feedback in a meaningful way. When we get deeper into external beta, we'll be able to share more information regarding the new launch date."

The delay in release runs the risk of possibly putting DCUO in direct competition with Square Enix's FFXIV, currently scheduled for release in March of 2011, in the running to be the first MMO on the PlayStation 3, but in the long run, it's generally better to have a game reach the desired caliber of quality, balance, and stability before launch than to be the "first" to do something.

Regardless of that, while I'm sure that most of you would much prefer a company wait to release a game "until it's ready" rather than rush something out unfinished, it's always a drag when you pre-order a game that gets delayed. Fret not, though - SOE has also stated that players with VIP key cards and those having registered at the DCUO website will receive beta access on a priority basis starting as early as next week. Additionally, everyone that has already pre-ordered the game, and those who do so by November 15, 2010, are assured access to beta by November 30 (so long as you live in North America).

Anyone pre-ordering the game after November 15 will gain beta access one week prior to the launch date and will be able to participate in the special beta ending event entitled Battle of the Legends with the rest of the beta participants. As an additional bonus, all beta participants will be recognized post release with a special emblem for their character when the game goes live. If this sounds up your alley, instructions on how to qualify and receive your pre-order beta key can be found at www.dcuniverseonline.com/betakey starting October 7, 2010.

Also, if you're one of those comic-loving gamers that is highly anticipating playing this MMO on your PlayStation 3, but was saddened at your lack of an astoundingly shiny and expensive Collector's Edition, cry no more - SOE has also announced that due to the sad, sad sounds of your tears at night, a Collector's Edition for the PlayStation 3 will also be released (for a mere $100 USD and only in North America), and will include the same items contained in the PC version announced earlier this year - the DCUO Batman statue, the limited edition Art of DC Universe Online art book, the DCUO Legends Issue #0 comic book with a Jim Lee variant cover, the DCUO Prestige comic presentation of the DCUO back-story and the limited edition Jim Lee-drawn poster Version of the Issue #0 comic book variant cover. (wow, that's a lot!)

This move strikes me as a no-brainer - what comic lover isn't a collector as well?