After years of waiting (and reporting) DC Universe Online has finally made its way to both the PC and PlayStation 3 console. And we are happy to see it has lived up to the hype. While DCUO isn’t a ground breaking experience that will redefine the MMORPG genre, it does provide an addictive and fun super hero world for people to play in.

Taking a few lessons learned from previous super hero titles like City of Heroes and Champions Online, DCUO allows players to experience an MMO world in an iconic universe with well known locations and super hero and villain compatriots at their side. Unlike SOE’s previous iconic MMO with Star Wars Galaxies, players are actually able to fight alongside their favorite heroes and villains instead of just receiving missions from them. The game also has a fully voiced cast, a much notable difference to players of past titles like classics like Everquest or Galaxies.

Gameplay:

DC Universe Online plays similar in many ways to most other successful MMOs. It is to be expected since those formulas have proven successful for the type of game. Players move using the traditional WASD format combined with their mouse for changing directions and looking around and aiming. Different tap and hold button combinations on the mouse (unlocking more as players increase in level) release different attacks on foes. Additional super powers are unlocked and assigned to the 1 through 8 keys that can be used during combat.

Combat itself is fast paced and fun without much down time between. Unlike many MMORPGs, combat is not item-centric where players must worry about equipping tons of healing items to use after each combat instance. As long as players don’t run through like a lunatic kamikaze, they should be able to take a breather between fights to allow their character to quickly heal up before heading into the next encounter.

Part of what makes E3 so great is that the event isn’t just about business. It’s about having fun too. (And yes, I agree that anyone who complains about working in video games not being fun is nuts.) But even still, sometimes developers and journalists (and celebrities) need to unwind a little bit at industry events such as the Activision E3 Preview event which was held Monday night in the Staples Center.

Our own Chris Ulrich was present for the event where he got to see live performances from Jane’s Addiction, Usher, Rhea, Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas, N.E.R.D., Soundgarden, Rhianna and Eminem. Eminem performed his track, “Won’t Back Down” to the trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops where explosions in the arena coincided with those on screen. Even Tony Hawk came down to announce his new game Tony Hawk: Shred amidst the gigantic halfpipe that was built in the middle of the Staples Center.

In addition to Chris, celebs Paris Hilton, Seth Green and comic book icon Stan “The Man” Lee walked the red carpet for the event.

Check out some video preparing for the event, some of the performances as well as interviews with Stan, Paris, Usher, Dave Navaro, Perry Farrell and Tony Hawk talking about the video game industry and how it affects them.

After launching Warhammer Online, it was only a matter of time before an MMO set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe would be released. THQ, publishers of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War and its expansions and sequels, have finally announced and revealed a trailer for Warhammer 40,000: Dark Millennium Online.

Not much information has been released for Warhammer 40,000: Dark Millennium Online other than more is to come at Gamescon in August. What we can tell from the trailer however is that the game will have a focus on at least three of the Warhammer 40,000 races/factions. Space Marines, the soldiers of the Imperium, may also get a hand from the Imperial Guard as well as there are some unarmored soldiers seen in battle.

Orcs, like they have always been in Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000, will be given a spotlight as foils for the Space Marines. Taking the fight to both races will be the corrupt demon worshipping Chaos Space Marines which spread violence and destruction throughout the galaxy.

Not present yet are Warhammer 40,000 staples, the Tyranids or the Eldar. It is possible that these races will be added in during future expansions.Most notably seen in the game trailer is the presence of titans, gigantic war machines that will presumably lead to epic boss battles.

Take a peek below at the trailer for Warhammer 40,000: Dark Millennium Online and let us know what you think of it in the comments.

Warhammer 40,000 is giving a double dose to this year’s E3. In addition to the announcement of the Warhammer 40,000 MMO titled Dark Millennium, Relic Entertainment and THQ have also announced Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine which will be coming to the XBox 360 and PlayStation 3. Relic has a lot of familiarity with the Warhammer franchise, having worked on titles such as Dawn of War and its sequels and expansions. They have also developed Company of Heroes and Homeworld.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine is being billed as a third person Action RPG. Players will control a squad of four Ultramarine Space Marines as a horde of Orks attempt to invite an Imperium controlled world, though right now it is possible the chapter of Space Marines may change. During levels, players will control one of the four members of their squad, be it an Assault Marine, a Tactical Marine, a Sergeant or a Devastator Marine. Each marine type has different roles and weapons according the Warhammer 40,000 lore.

Check out the video and pictures below and let us know what you think about the first peek at Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine.

Even with games like Kinectimals or Eyepet being announced, there are still some mature games at this year’s E3. Gears of War 3 and Killzone 3 have shown that the world of gaming is not for the light of heart. Following that adult trend comes THQ’s latest revelation, Devil’s Third. Below you will see the trailer of the next game from acclaimed producer Tomonubu Itagaki, head of Team Ninja and producer on games like the Dead or Alive series and Ninja Gaiden.

Looking like a combination of a John Woo movie and Gears of War, Devil’s Third may be the most violent trailer we have seen so far come out of E3. Between the sword fighting, rocket launchers, grenades, shotguns, turrets and gore, Devil’s Third looks to bring mature action platforming to a new level.

As Itagaki has shown us through his recent work on Ninja Gaiden, he can bring entertaining gameplay and merge it with shocking visuals for maximum effect. Now, not hindered by just having the arsenal of a ninja, Itagaki’s creation is poised to become his next masterpiece as the trailer boasts. Hopefully the footage shown is reflective of in game content and not just a CGI cutscene. If it is, Devil’s Third may earn its place as one of the best over the top violent video games ever.

Check out the trailer below and some concept art. Stick to the Flickcast for more news on this exciting, upcoming title coming soon for the XBox 360 and PlayStation 3 as we receive it.