As the MMO industry gets stuffed with more and more competition, and World of Warcraft keeps eating that competition (kidding!), it seems that all developer eyes are now focused on new paths of innovation to reach different demographics of the gaming world. We've already seen CCP's EVE Online suck up the unemployed Math graduate demographic, SOE's Free Realms and Kingisle Entertainment's Wizard101 are both steadily converting all of our younger gamers to MMO fiends, and I'm sure between BioWare's Star Wars: The Old Republic and Cryptic's Star Trek Online, most sci-fi gaming fans will be mighty pleased (this could have been you, Star Wars Galaxies!).

Interestingly, however, as other MMO developers think of some great new innovations to stay in the industry, like Funcom's The Secret World and Icarus Studios' Fallen Earth, there is another barely tested demographic that bigger game companies have now set their sights on, and it goes by the name that Final Fantasy XI players have rallied against every time they hear the dreaded issue of "PS2 Limitations." What we're talking about is the console MMO and how it seems to be the trendy new thing for MMO developers.

As we all know, artist Jim Lee and writer Geoff Johns have been hard at work transferring their knowledge and talent from the pages of DC Comics to the world of DC Universe Online. Well, Sony Online Entertainment has announced in a press release that they will be unveiling the team's third comic book legend at the New York Comic Con on Feb. 7! This third person will help "ensure accurate DC Comics history and story continuity" in the game.

As if that announcement isn't enough to get any comic fan excited, those in attendance at the convention will get the chance to play as villains in DCUO for the first time.

So does anyone have any guesses as to who the third comic icon may be? Also, members of the Allakhazam team (including yours truly) will be in attendance at the NY Comic Con, so we'll be sure to let you know who he/she is after the official announcement.

Studio Creative Director Chris Cao has posted a new blog entry on the DC Universe Online Myspace page, and this one focuses on movement powers. Who needs a mount when you've got flight, super speed or acrobatics?

According to Cao, flight's going to be more than just a way of getting from point A to point B. It will also give you access to excluse combat powers, like to ability to intercept your enemy or create a sonic boom.

Super speed will allow you to fight and move everywhere, but there's a catch. "Lose control and you can end up in all sorts of interesting places.  Let’s just say that the ceiling ain’t the best place to stop and take a shot. Trust me."

And with acrobatics, prepare to utilize some mid-air control with double-jumps and dashes and use the terrain to your advantage.

You can read Cao's full post here or after the jump.

MMO Portal has put together its 2009 MMO Calendar featuring autographed artwork from numerous games. The list includes Age of Conan, DC Universe Online, Dofus, EVE Online, EverQuest II, Free Realms, Guild Wars, Pirates of the Burning Sea, RuneScape, The Agency, Warhammer Online and World of Warcraft.

All of the proceeds go directly to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which treats children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

Also, everyone who purchases a calendar will be entered to win one of 10 prizes for each game, including boxed copies, premium accounts, 30- and 60-day passes, closed beta accounts and more. More information can be found here.

Studio Creative Director Chris Cao has posted a Myspace blog discussing PvP in DC Universe Online.

Cao said PvP will focus on heroes versus villains, which is important to remember since it changes why players are fighting. For example, a hero may be fighting to protect a police officer, while a villain will be fighting to remove (knock out) the officer.

• PvP will always be consensual. You'll either choose to play on a PvP server, opt-in to a PvP zone, or take egregious actions that will flag you for PvP.
• PvP will always be super-powered. You'll be turning enemies into physics objects and hurling them through the skies. You'll be racing along walls and ceilings as you shoot it out. You'll be fighting to rule or save the world.
• PvP will always require skill. Due to the action environment, PvP in DCUO is a battle of wits and ability, not just dice. Your loot and your level will help, but ultimately it'll come down to more than mere numbers.

The full blog post can be found here or after the jump.

Jared Carr, art director of DC Universe, posted a blog on the DCUO MySpace page today focusing on character creation and appearance. Also, while he cannot comment on which characters will appear in the game, he assured fans that they've created concept art for a lot of characters, noting that, "if you can think of a character, we've thought of it, too."

Here's some of Jared's own words on character customization. For the full post, check here or keep reading after the jump.

When you create your hero or villain, you can choose from a variety of body sizes, silhouettes and hairstyles ... Next, costume options will be influenced by your character's origin. In other words, if you are a tech-based character (like Cyborg) you will have different costume options than a magic-based character (like Dr. Fate) ... Once you roll a character, you are not locked into that specific costume - it can change over time if you so choose.

Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) is taking a new approach to the traditional MMO with their action based game, DC Universe Online. Set in the world made popular by DC Comics, this game operates on a real time action system, not dice rolls. SOE is bringing shooter and action features to an MMO genre that lacks this type of game, without losing the roots of what makes the company one of the largest MMO developers and publishers in the industry. Comic-Con's exhibit hall hosted the first ever public playable version of the game so far, and for an early Alpha version, it looks impressive. Metropolis was shown in all its glory, and several different character types were available for people to play.

There is of course a lot that can't be talked about or may change drastically before release, but what I saw with Associate Producer Fannie Gunton excited me for the future of this breakthrough game. You'll hear the term "physics game" thrown around a lot during the ongoing development cycle. This means that items in game such as cars, buses, and even other players, can be used dynamically, allowing you and others to use them freely. Not to mention powers that create objects to interact with (energy balls, ice blocks, etc.,) The best example given is turning an NPC enemy or opposing player into an ice cube with your super powers, then lifting and throwing them.

I had a hard time understanding why that would be desirable or cool at all, until I actually did it. After trying it one time carrying around buses and slamming them into things became the love of my life, instantly!

We've taken some video from Preview Night here at Comic-Con, and while it's not spectacular, it's still pretty awesome!

We have a few seconds from the Stargate Worlds trailer, and some never before seen DC Universe Online video!!

More to come as we continue coverage from Comic-Con here in beautiful San Diego, California.

Sure, we all knew about DC Online Universe , so this really comes as no surprise. But it's official now! The game was official unveiled today, hightening expectations and anticipation.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - July 22, 2008 - Virtual super heroes and villains, it's time to unite online! Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) plans to reveal exciting new details of the online action game DC UniverseTM Online (DCUO) at this year's Comic-Con International to be held in San Diego from July 24-27. SOE's plans include a first-ever public demonstration showcasing how DCUO will redefine online action gaming on the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and the PC.

DCUO is being developed by the SOE Austin studio team in collaboration with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Comics' top talent led by Executive Creative Director Jim Lee, SOE's VP of Development John Blakely and SOE's Austin Studio Creative Director Chris Cao.

USA Today published an interview with Comic Book artist Jim Lee today.  Mr. Lee is the artist overseeing the DC Universe Online MMO!

Q: How will DC Universe Online differ from other MMOs?
A: To me, a lot of MMOs are fairly, I wouldn't say static, but it's the kind of thing where you start, push "attack," and get a cup of coffee, come back and say, "I won." (In DC Universe), you are constantly moving and actually doing a lot more dogfight-type battles, running along on the ground and flying and going around buildings and blasting people. It's chaotic, but it's organized and it's very, very dynamic. To me, that is kind of how superheroes fight. It's not like they stand there and trade blows. The cities are their playgrounds, and they demolish them.

Q: What can you say about the artistic style of the game?
A: I actually spend a lot of time on the faces. As a gamer, I like to go up and look at people's faces and see how good of a job they did. For me, it does feel more alive because the video games have sound and movement. ... To me, I'm not trying to get Superman to look like he is the guy who lives next door. To me, he should still look iconic and bold, and that's what we do best.

Not only is Jim Lee a talented artist and an incredible fan, he's an MMO gamer!  Good to know this game is in such good hands!