Dwayne McDuffie to write "Justice League Heroes" Videogame

[psifreek28]

WBIE to Launch Justice League Heroes Game

Source: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
March 20, 2006

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment will launch the Justice League Heroes videogame, based on the legendary DC Comics' super hero team and developed by Snowblind Studios, for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and PSP in Fall 2006.

The Justice League Heroes game will feature an original story from award-winning comic book and animation writer Dwayne McDuffie ("Static Shock," "Justice League," "Teen Titans," "Damage Control," "Deathlok").

"In 'Justice League Heroes', gamers get to play Batman and Superman together along with an amazing team of super heroes wielding unprecedented powers for stand alone action on consoles and the PSP system," said Jason Hall, Senior Vice President of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. "The game utilizes Snowblind's innovative gameplay technologies and the respected story writing of Dwayne McDuffie to bring fans and gamers some of the best super hero battles in the universe."

"Working on 'Justice League Heroes' is exciting because players will get a chance to experience the superpowers of these well-known and loved super heroes together first hand," said Paul Knutzen, Game Designer, Snowblind Studios. "This is a real opportunity to bring the celebrated characters to life in dynamic gameplay, showcasing their individual powers and their incredible capabilities working as a team."

"Comics and videogames go hand in hand, so it's only natural to have a game featuring iconic characters like Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman," noted Paul Levitz, DC Comics President and Publisher. "Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment will do a great job of bringing the Justice League to life."

Self-published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and developed by critically acclaimed Snowblind Studios, Justice League Heroes is an action adventure game with role-playing customization featuring Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, Zatanna and other unlockable Justice League super heroes. Each hero possesses an array of character-specific, upgradeable superpowers resulting in unique controls and fighting styles. Engaging in one-to-two player cooperative combat, gamers will be able to customize and master these superpowers as they travel through interactive and destructible environments spanning the farthest corners of the universe.

Bout time the JLA get a video game that is worthy, hopefully this will be the JL's answer to Xmen Legends. And with Mcduffie writing it, im very excited.

Now im curious if this will be in the same vein of "Batman: Vengeance" and "Rise of Sin Tzu" and use the JLU designs.

Anyways im psyched.:anime:

[Dens Maris]

Dude. I don't even care if the gameplay makes Xenosaga II look like Super Smash Brothers, McDuffie's writing and I can play as ZATANNA, I'll get this. :anime:

[psifreek28]

Dude. I don't even care if the gameplay makes Xenosaga II look like Super Smash Brothers, McDuffie's writing and I can play as ZATANNA, I'll get this. :anime:

Here here!

i cant wait!!!!

[Stu]

Depsite Justice League Heroes being a really, really stupid name, I'm looking forward to this game. Given how quickly these things can change, I wouldn't be surprised to see if this game was based on the cartoon. With McDuffie writing, I'm looking forward to seeing the storyline behind this game.

Hopefullly they'll get the JLU cast in. That would be awesome.

[PeterFries]

Aw, man -- I have friends at Snowblind and they didn't even tell me they were up to this... :eek:

[Stu]

Aw, man -- I have friends at Snowblind and they didn't even tell me they were up to this... :eek:
We'll be relying on you to get us the skinny then, Pete Sir. ;)

[Arkangel]

Wow, finally some great news on here, even if it doesn't involve the DCAU.

Now I'm just going to have to buy one of these gaming consoles in order to play it.

[NightwingAngelo]

Oh yeah!

Dwayne McDuffie? Sounds like it could be great.

Also: No, it's not based on JLA designs (great that you just posted this only minutes after I've just seen a few pics of the game), but there's been no word of who'll be doing the voiceovers.

[psifreek28]

Oh yeah!

Dwayne McDuffie? Sounds like it could be great.

Also: No, it's not based on JLA designs (great that you just posted this only minutes after I've just seen a few pics of the game), but there's been no word of who'll be doing the voiceovers.

dude a link please?!

hehe:sweat:

[Bones Justice]

Very cool. I still have Justice League Task Force for Sega Genesis only because of the characters. Thankfully, superhero games have come a long way since then.

Something like X-Men Legends would be good but I wouldn't mind a one-on-one fighting game under the right conditions. That is, make it fully 3D with the ability to fly as well as throw and destroy objects. Plus, give us every hero and villain in JLU. Wow, it would be great to re-inact Clash, wouldn't it? Oh yeah, and give us a game mode where some "Beyonder" converts the Earth into a giant-chess board with heroes and villains and individual pieces.

Okay, done dreaming now. Looking forward to this game, what-ever kind it may be.

[NightwingAngelo]

dude a link please?!

hehe:sweat:

Here (Page 2):

http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=929040&topic=26727635

And then you'll be directed to here for more:

http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=206&topic=26959784

[PeterFries]

Also if you want to see scans of the Game Informer article with pics... *cough* (http://www.superherohype.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223897)

[NightwingAngelo]

Also if you want to see scans of the Game Informer article with pics... *cough* (http://www.superherohype.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223897)

Oooh! I'm sure that'll do just fine. ;)

I don't like how it's only 2 players though. Legends had 4-player mode and it was great.

[Silly McGooses]

I hope this isn't as terrible as every single other non-Animated-style DC game.

[Shadow09]

Should be good... but like other animated style DC games I hope this one doesn't become a let down.

[Death58]

It looks quite interesting. . .it'll definitely be something that I'll keep an eye on as it progresses closer to its release date. I've been wanting a Justice League game for a while now, you know, with all the greatness X-Men Legends has given me I need a DC team now for a change of pace.

[Agent S7]

Damn! This game sounds cool, but ALL I HAVE IS A DS AND A PC! This is terrible! And I am NOT going out to get a PSP! Forget it...

I was waiting for a game like this and I feel like they screwed me over. :crying:

~s7

[Pretentious]

I'm hoping they have a good amount of unlockable characters (better than in the XML games). Aquaman, Green Arrow, and possibly Black Canary should be no-brainers. The Question could probably get in as well due to his popularity thanks to JLU. And I'm all for a few "dark horses" from the League's past rosters as well like Fire, Dr. Light, etc.

Awesome news on McDuffie writing as well. Now here's hoping that even though it's not DCAU based, they at least get the VAs from the show to voice the characters.

[tb4000]

Go Dwayne...he looks like my dad, dude, I swear to God.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/terry78/dwaynemcduffieth.jpg

[Crow]

Upgradeable powers?

This could actually work, but they'd have to be careful with Superman and Green Lantern especially.

[melibell21]

sounds cool, i'd get it, but i have a gamecube. this stinks. the designs are awesome tho

[batmanbeyond13]

I'm definitely getting this game. I like the way it looks and I love the D C heroes. It's been a long time coming. The D C heroes needed a video game. This is it. I can't wait.

[Knight]

If it comes out im on it first day.

[Robin2099]

Well, hopefully, since it isn't based on the DCAU then we'll get the Hal Jordan Green Lantern instead of Jon Stewart. Hope this game is good though, and this fall looks to be a good time for comic book fans with this andt he Marvel RPG coming out. Hopefully it sells well too and people won't just be saving money for the SP3 and 360.

[PeterFries]

Well, hopefully, since it isn't based on the DCAU then we'll get the Hal Jordan Green Lantern instead of Jon Stewart.

Nope, it's John Stewart, at least according to the Game Informer preview.

[BlackCat]

Since this game's coming from Snowblind, I have no major worries. The gameplay system sounds good, with the special abilities and balanced characters. I'm interested in seeing what other heroes and villians will be in the game.

JLH sounds like a game on par with XML. I'm glad they're focusing on the superhero/team aspect of the game instead of just putting out Baldur's Gate or Champions of Norrath with different characters. The changes like items, health, and both ground/air combat make me wonder how similar the game will be to XML. With Dwayne McDuffie writing the story, getting the cast of JLU shouldn't be a problem.

[Gillespee]

Nope, it's John Stewart, at least according to the Game Informer preview.
Would you expect differently with Dwayne writing it? He obviously enjoys writing black characters. Maybe Hal and Kyle will be unlockable. Besides, he's one of DC's highest profile black characters and they're interested in not being too white bread.

[Silly McGooses]

There has yet to be a playable non-DCAU DC video game. I seriously hope this breaks that trend.

[The Overlord]

I wonder if they will get the JLU VAs to voice this game.

[Ultra8]

Well this was an interesting surprise.
And I just found out about Marvel's new game Marvel Legends(which I'm asuming is like XML).
JLH looks nice though I hope they include alot of unlockable leaguers from the comics history and not just a whole bunch of variations of the big7.

[Anarky]

non-DCAU? Oh well, I'll probably bite anyway. Need PS2 ASAP, especially since I've been holding onto the PS1 until PS3 (which is delayed til Fall'06 or longer)

[JAG]

Sweet! I've been hoping for a good JL game for a while. If this is anything like X-Men Legends, it should be fun. I hope there are lots of unlockable characters, though. Vigilante would be cool. I'm definiitely getting this!:D

[batmanbeyond13]

I don't understand why this thread has been moved to this board. As far as I gather, Dwayne Mc Duffie is involved as a writer, who also happens to write for J L U. The game looks like it will have a J L U like plot. It's all D C related. You got Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern John Stewart, and Zatanna. All of whom have appeared on J L U. It also kind of promotes the upcoming work of a great J L U writer, who happens to write some good J L A related episodes. I can see why it was moved here. But I feel this thread may belong in the D C A U board. Here as well. I don't mean to cause any trouble. I'm just pointing out my reasons for it to be in the D C A U board.

[Ed Liu]

Howdy,


But I feel this thread may belong in the D C A U board. Here as well. I don't mean to cause any trouble. I'm just pointing out my reasons for it to be in the D C A U board.

I don't believe this game is going to be set in the Timmverse DCAU, but rather in the traditional DC Universe. Since there's no real connection between the game and the DCAU as we've seen on JLU, there's no reason for this discussion thread to live on the DCAU.

Besides, this thread's only a click away, whether you're aiming for the Comic Book Culture forum or the Video Games forum. It's all part and parcel of our Immense Super-Secret Plan to get everyone on Toon Zone interested in everything else everybody else discusses anywhere everywhere ever so you spend all your time here and get your friends to join and then we take over the world and give everybody peace love and cartoons.

Oh, dang, I just gave it away, didn't I? ;).

Screengrabs for the game just went up last week at Comic Book Resources (http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=7056), BTW. Link on there to a trailer, too.

-- Ed/Ace

[Agent S7]

You know what?

This is sort of a big "screw you" to every person who owns something Nintendo. I love the Justice League but I'm not going to go and buy an Xbox or PS2 to get the game. It's almost like they're saying that Nintendo is too kiddy for such a HARRRDDCO0000RREEEEEE!!1 video game like a DC one. Marvel's automatically so, so they can get away with X-Men Legends II for the Xbox.

I think this will really mess with the sales of the game.

~s7

[Gillespee]

This is sort of a big "screw you" to every person who owns something Nintendo.
~s7

I don't want to wander too far off-topic, but I completely agree with you. Sadly I'm used to it. When was the last time a Star Wars game was released for the Gamecube. Well, Lego SW came out like 9 months after it did on the other systems. Other than that, the last one I can think of is Clone Wars.

Don't get too faint of heart though, things seem to be shaping up better next gen with many people believing that most third party games will be on all three systems making first party titles more important than ever for distinction between the systems.

As for me, I've been playing on caving and getting a PS2 when the PS3 comes out for a long time so I can play DDR, Katamari, and Justice League Heroes, and Guitar Heroes.

[BCVM22]

You know what?

This is sort of a big "screw you" to every person who owns something Nintendo. I love the Justice League but I'm not going to go and buy an Xbox or PS2 to get the game. It's almost like they're saying that Nintendo is too kiddy for such a HARRRDDCO0000RREEEEEE!!1 video game like a DC one. Marvel's automatically so, so they can get away with X-Men Legends II for the Xbox.

Or it could be an indicator that GameCube is a distant third in console sales behind PS2 and Xbox, which, unfortunately, is the case. They aren't going to make a game, that, let's be honest, probably isn't going to be on any Top 10 sales lists to begin with, for a console that the fewest number of people own. It's a financial decision; they aren't taking special pains to tell GameCube owners "screw you".

[Gillespee]

I know very little about the process of making games, but once you have the game, is it really that hard to put it out on one more system? I realize there will be some expense, but I'd think there would be enough people buying the game on Gamecube to make up for it.

[Agent S7]

I also feel like I should add that it shouldn't be too hard to put on the DS, which is making a killing in Japan and the US.

~s7

[Gillespee]

Well, to put it on the DS would take significant alteration (and hence a significant cost.) Remember the DS is about on par with the N64, not our current generation of gaming systems (though I wouldn't complain if they had made a DS version, I just realize it won't be the same game.)

But to my admittedly small brain, simply porting it over to the Gamecube almost/exactly the same as the PS2 or X-Box version wouldn't cost much at all.

[batmanbeyond13]

Anyone got pictures of the recent Playstation Magazine #104? It has some pictures and an article on J L H as well as some mini pictures and profiles of each of the seven members in the game. I think it also mentioned that there will be hidden characters/ members to unlock. Imagine Aquaman, The Atom, Green Arrow, Hawkman, or Hawkgirl in the game.

[BlackCat]

And we get an interview (http://ps2.ign.com/articles/703/703315p1.html) with producer Jason Andes. It's mostly a recap of the GI article, but there are a few interesting tidbits. It looks to be shaping up well.

[Silly McGooses]

So according to Superman Homepage, Ron Perlman is playing Batman. I would have preferred the JLU cast, but that is certainly an interesting choice!

[Funkatron]

They screwed over hawkgirl and put in Zantana instead.

Yeah, this isn't Cartoon JL per say. But you know this wouldn't be in production without it's help

[Ultra8]

E3 did a hands-on for the game. Here's a look.
http://ps2.ign.com/articles/707/707680p1.html

Looks like Green Arrow's one of the unlockables.:D
http://media.ps2.ign.com/media/759/759017/img_3591870.html

[LazyReaper]

Gamespot (http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/justiceleagueheroes/media.html?sid=6150689&autoplay=6150689) has also posted up an E3 Demonstration video of Justice League Heroes. They show a good amount of in-game footage, and how you can customize some of the powers and attributes.

The only downside seems that the entire story mode is supposed to last about 12 hours. It seems pretty short, but with some unlockables characters, it does have some replay value.

[Cortez2301]

So according to Superman Homepage, Ron Perlman is playing Batman. I would have preferred the JLU cast, but that is certainly an interesting choice!No doubt perlman has a talent in voice acting. question why isn't this going to be on gamecube?

[Cortez2301]

so brainiac and the key are 2 villains here...what about luthor,the joker and black manta?

[BCVM22]

so brainiac and the key are 2 villains here...what about luthor,the joker and black manta?

It isn't on GameCube because it wouldn't sell enough to make a profit. As for the villains, I'm certain there will be more than just two. You can't determine everything about a game from one short clip.

[The Overlord]

I heard Grodd, Queen Bee, Killer Frost and the White Martians will also appear.

[Cortez2301]

I heard Grodd, Queen Bee, Killer Frost and the White Martians will also appear.grodd?hmm....interesting...

[Crow]

I'm already tossing up whether to buy a 360 or ps2 to play Superman Returns, this might sway me to either or depending which port gets the better wrap.

[Cortez2301]

I'm already tossing up whether to buy a 360 or ps2 to play Superman Returns, this might sway me to either or depending which port gets the better wrap.Why dont you save for the ps3?isn't superman returns coming at the end of the year?